The 2026 Indiana State Sycamores football team represents Indiana State University as a member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) during the 2026 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Sycamores are led by ninth-year head coach Curt Mallory, and play home games at Memorial Stadium in Terre Haute, Indiana.
Preseason MVFC poll
The Missouri Valley Football Conference release its preseason poll on July 14, 2026, voted on by league athletic directors, coaches, and media members. The Sycamores were predicted to finish eighth in the conference.
Schedule
Game summaries
Southeast Missouri State
Statistics SEMOINST First downs 18 17 Plays–yards 66–327 63–346 Rushes–yards 30–53 31–58 Passing yards 274 288 Passing: comp–att–int 26–36–0 23–32–1 Turnovers 0 1 Time of possession 28:51 31:09 Team Category Player Statistics Southeast Missouri State Passing Braylen Ragland 26/36, 274 yards, TD Rushing Khyair Spain 17 carries, 66 yards, TD Receiving John Anthony Jr. 6 receptions, 88 yards, TD Indiana State Passing Elijah Owens 23/32, 288 yards, 2 TD, INT Rushing Aaron Ball 10 carries, 33 yards Receiving BJ Wuest 4 receptions, 67 yards
at Purdue (FBS)
Statistics INSTPUR First downs 12 28 Plays–yards 46–284 74–523 Rushes–yards 24–66 40–177 Passing yards 218 346 Passing: –– 12–22–1 27–34–0 Turnovers 1 0 Time of possession 22:38 37:22 Team Category Player Statistics Indiana State Passing Brady Allen 3/5, 117 yards, TD, INT Rushing Elijah Owens 11 carries, 60 yards Receiving Jayden Reed 5 receptions, 73 yards, TD Purdue Passing Ryan Browne 23/29, 317 yards, 3 TD Rushing Fame Ijeboi 11 carries, 87 yards, TD Receiving Asaad Waseem 6 receptions, 107 yards, TD
at Eastern Illinois
Statistics INSTEIU First downs 26 20 Plays–yards 71–492 66–466 Rushes–yards 37–208 32–184 Passing yards 284 282 Passing: comp–att–int 21–34–1 20–34–0 Turnovers 1 1 Time of possession 29:56 30:04 Team Category Player Statistics Indiana State Passing Elijah Owens 21/33, 284 yards, 3 TD, INT Rushing Elijah Owens 17 carries, 98 yards, 2 TD Receiving BJ Wuest 6 receptions, 142 yards, TD Eastern Illinois Passing Cole LaCrue 20/34, 282 yards, 3 TD Rushing Charles Kellom 14 carries, 106 yards, TD Receiving Samuel Gonzalez 4 receptions, 78 yards
Valparaiso
Statistics VALINST First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Valparaiso Passing Rushing Receiving Indiana State Passing Rushing Receiving
No. 7 North Dakota
Statistics UNDINST First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics North Dakota Passing Rushing Receiving Indiana State Passing Rushing Receiving
at No. 13 South Dakota
Statistics INSTSDAK First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Indiana State Passing Rushing Receiving South Dakota Passing Rushing Receiving
No. 8 Youngstown State
Statistics YSUINST First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Youngstown State Passing Rushing Receiving Indiana State Passing Rushing Receiving
at Illinois State
Statistics INSTILST First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Indiana State Passing Rushing Receiving Illinois State Passing Rushing Receiving
at Northern Iowa
Statistics INSTUNI First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Indiana State Passing Rushing Receiving Northern Iowa Passing Rushing Receiving
Southern Illinois
Statistics SIUINST First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Southern Illinois Passing Rushing Receiving Indiana State Passing Rushing Receiving
Murray State
Statistics MURINST First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Murray State Passing Rushing Receiving Indiana State Passing Rushing Receiving
at South Dakota State
Statistics INSTSDST First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Indiana State Passing Rushing Receiving South Dakota State Passing Rushing Receiving
References