How trajectories of Indiana, Purdue turned Bucket game into one-sided rivalry

WEST LAFAYETTE — Indiana football is firmly in control of the Old Oaken Bucket.

The No. 2 Hoosiers (12-0, 9-0 Big Ten) beat Purdue 56-3 on Friday night at Ross-Ade Stadium to keep the trophy in Bloomington for a second straight year.

Indiana has put together consecutive wins against the Boilermakers that rank among the most dominant pair of victories in the history of the series.

This is the first time in eight decades the Hoosiers have held their rival without a touchdown in two straight games. Their margin of victory in the wins (119 points) is the most in program history and third most all-time for either team.

The other games on the list? Those happened back in the 1890s.

Indiana coach Curt Cignetti has fueled the Hoosiers recent success, but he took a measured approach when talking about the current state of the rivalry.

“The fact that we've outscored them like we have, it's just a fact where we are at and where they are at right now,” Cignetti said. “They are going to get better, there's no doubt in my mind that they are going to get better. Coach (Barry Odom) is going to do a great job of improving that roster and coaching that football team, they sort of hit rock bottom, it timed up with my arrival.”

Odom steered clear of addressing the rivalry head on as well. He thanked the fans for supporting the team throughout the 2025 season even though they didn't give them much to cheer about.

“I’ll get it fixed,” Odom said.

The game on Friday night showed he had a long way to go as did the makeup of the crowd. By the final whistle, the sections behind IU’s bench were completely full of fans decked out in crimson.

“I think we pretty much took over the stadium tonight,” Indiana linebacker Aiden Fisher said. “This game, this rivalry, means a lot to former players, alums and fans, everybody included in Indiana football. When you travel like that, it can feel like a home environment at times, it's special."

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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana football dominates Purdue in Old Oaken Bucket rivalry