Curt Cignetti expects D’Angelo Ponds to play for IU football at No. 3 Oregon on Saturday

Photos of IU football vs. Illinois football at Memorial Stadium on September 20, 2025.

IU football coach Curt Cignetti said Monday that he expects defensive back D’Angelo Ponds to play in Saturday’s game at No. 3 Oregon.

Ponds missed IU’s 20-15 win against Iowa on September 26 at Kinnick Stadium with an undisclosed injury.

“I expect Ponds to be fine and play,” Cignetti said. “We found out late in the week he wouldn’t be available for the Iowa game.”

Cignetti added that the absence of Ponds led to the Hoosiers playing more zone coverage than they typically would have in the win against the Hawkeyes.

Through four games, Ponds has 11 tackles and one interception.

His punt block and return for a touchdown set the tone in IU’s 63-10 win against Illinois back in week four at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington.

Ponds, a Miami native, was named second team All-America by six outlets in the 2024 season and was a first team All-Big Ten selection last season.

Kickoff for Saturday’s game between the No. 7 Hoosiers and No. 3 Oregon is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS. ESPN’s College GameDay will also broadcast live from Autzen Stadium in Eugene on Saturday.

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