Cignetti Addresses Injuries To McCulley, Black In Season Opener

Indiana's 2023 leading receiver Donaven McCulley is considered day-to-day, and running back Kaelon Black was limited to one carry against Florida International due to precautionary reasons.

Indiana's Donaven McCulley (1) stretches during fall camp. / Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – A few key offensive players didn't make it through Indiana's season-opening 31-7 win over Florida International on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

Wide receiver Donaven McCulley went to the injury tent after a 9-yard reception, which gave Indiana a first down after facing 3rd and 5. There appeared to be a helmet-to-helmet collision between McCulley and defensive back JoJo Evans on the play.

Cignetti said Saturday after the game that McCulley was not medically cleared to return. He did not specify McCulley's injury during Monday's press conference, but the receiver seems to have avoided a long-term injury.

"I think we'll have him back soon," Cignetti said Monday. "Right now I would say it's more day-to-day."

The 6-foot-5 McCulley returned to Indiana for his senior season in 2024 after leading the Hoosiers with 48 receptions for 644 yards and six touchdowns last season. He began his Indiana career as a quarterback during the 2021 season but made the transition to wide receiver in 2022.

Though he was limited to one catch and nine snaps on Saturday, Cignetti is excited about what he can provide for the Hoosiers.

"He was playing fast, doing a nice job, and took a hit and was ruled out," Cignetti said. "He'll be anxious to get back, and I'll be anxious to get him back."

Cignetti also mentioned Monday that running back Kaelon Black was dealing with hamstring tightness during Saturday's game. He finished with just one carry for seven yards. Cignetti said Indiana held Black out of the game for precautionary reasons after running down on a kickoff.

Black joined the Hoosiers for the 2024 season after beginning his career with four seasons under Cignetti at James Madison. In 2023, Black led the Dukes with 142 carries for 677 yards, and he tied for third on the team with one rushing touchdown.

Indiana's roster was built to withstand injuries to these position groups in particular.

When Cignetti took over as head coach this offseason, he added four wide receivers in the transfer portal with over 1,000 career receiving yards – Elijah Sarratt (James Madison), Myles Price (Texas Tech), Miles Cross (Ohio) and Ke'Shawn Williams (Wake Forest) – to a group of returning Hoosiers like McCulley, Omar Cooper Jr., E.J. Williams Jr. and Andison Coby.

Indiana's running back room was completely overhauled in the offseason. The Hoosiers lost Trent Howland, Josh Henderson and Jaylin Lucas from the 2023 roster and replaced them with Black, Ty Son Lawton (James Madison), Justice Ellison (Wake Forest), Elijah Green (North Carolina) and Solomon Vanhorse (James Madison).

On Saturday, Lawton led the group with 16 carries for 74 yards and two touchdowns, followed by Ellison with 10 carries for 68 yards. Despite just five carries, Green finished with a team-high 82 rushing yards, including a 51-yard rushing touchdown late in the fourth quarter.

Next, the Hoosiers host Western Illinois on Friday at 7 p.m. ET at Memorial Stadium.

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