Indiana Football Week 3 Availability Report Against UCLA

Indiana listed kicker Derek McCormick, tight end James Bomba and defensive lineman Ta'Derius Collins out for its Week 3 game against UCLA at the Rose Bowl.

Indiana tight end James Bomba (48) runs after the catch against Western Illinois at Memorial Stadium. / Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Big Ten has released Indiana's availability report for its Week 3 game against UCLA at 7:30 p.m. ET at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.

Out

• K Derek McCormick

• TE James Bomba

• DL Ta'Derius Collins

Questionable

• None

In addition to these absences, Indiana announced prior to Week 1 that four players are out for the season: cornerback Josh Philostin, offensive lineman Nick Kidwell, defensive lineman Andrew Depaepe and offensive lineman Vince Fiacable.

What this means for Indiana

Indiana gets a few key players back from injury for Saturday's game against UCLA. Wide receivers Donaven McCulley and E.J. Williams Jr. did not play last week against Western Illinois, but they're not even listed as questionable on this week's availability report.

McCulley led Indiana in receptions and receiving yards last season, and when healthy, Williams is a threat to defenses at 6-foot-4. Indiana's deep wide receiver room has everyone available on Saturday, led by McCulley, Williams, Elijah Sarratt, Myles Price, Omar Cooper Jr., Andison Coby, Miles Cross and Ke'Shawn Williams.

McCormick handled kickoff duties for Indiana during its first two games. In his absence, Indiana will likely turn to either Alejandro Quintero or Nicolas Radicic. Quintero attempted seven kickoffs against Western Illinois, going for one touchback and an average of 59.3 yards. Radicic has not attempted a kickoff this season, but he has attempted all of Indiana's field goals and extra points. He made his lone field goal attempt of the season from 35 yards against Florida International, and he is 15 for 15 on extra point attempts.

Bomba left the Western Illinois game with an injury and did not return. He and Trey Walker have served as the main backups to starting tight end Zach Horton this season. Horton and Walker will likely get most of the tight end snaps against UCLA, but young tight ends like Brody Foley, Sam West and Brody Kosin could see more playing time.

It's also a surprise to see Tyler Stephens now listed as a tight end on Indiana's roster. At 6-foot-5 and 311 pounds, he was previously listed as an offensive lineman and started 31 games on the offensive line at James Madison. His number has also changed from 77 to 84.

Ta'Derius Collins had an interception in the fourth quarter against Western Illinois. The 6-foot-4 redshirt freshman did not play in Week 1 against Florida International. The rest of Indiana's defensive line appears to be healthy, so Collins' absence only hurts Indiana's depth a bit.

On the other side, UCLA has a slew of injuries, with 13 players listed out: Donavan Pellot, Clint Stephens, Deshun Murrell, Troy Leigber, Tre Edwards, Joquarri Price, Dovid Magna, Jordan Abarca, Gary Smith, Oluwafunto Akinshilo, MarquiseThorpe-Taylor, Hudson Habermehl and Sam Summa.

Notably, UCLA right tackle Garrett DiGiorgio is not on the availability report after missing the Week 1 game at Hawaii. Starting left tackle Reuben Unije was injured during that game and did not return, but he's not on the availability report either. So it looks like UCLA will have both of its starting tackles back.

Related stories on Indiana football

• STORIES OF THE 1968 ROSE BOWL: Harold Mauro and Ken Kaczmarek were key players on the Indiana football team that made the program’s lone Rose Bowl appearance in 1968. They talked exclusively with Indiana Hoosiers On SI this week, leading up to Indiana’s Big Ten opener against UCLA on Saturday at the Rose Bowl. CLICK HERE

• INDIANA'S TRAVEL SCHEDULE: Coach Curt Cignetti detailed his approach to cross-country travel on Thursday night. CLICK HERE

• HOW TO WATCH: Indiana football continues the 2024 season against the UCLA Bruins on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, Calif. Here's how to watch, with game time and TV information, the latest on the point spread, series history, coaching information and more. CLICK HERE

• GAME DAY PREDICTION AND KEYS FOR UCLA: Take a look at our three keys and game prediction for the UCLA game. CLICK HERE.

• MEET THE OPPONENT: UCLA also has a new coach and is going through the acclimation process. CLICK HERE.

• OPENING LINE: Indiana is a slight favorite over UCLA in its Big Ten opener at the Rose Bowl. CLICK HERE

• GOING TO CALIFORNIA: Read about Indiana's football adventures in the Golden State. CLICK HERE.

• ACCLIMATION TO ASSIMILATION: With any team that has a new coach, the hope is that the team has a smooth transition to the new way of doing things. James Madison transfers Mikail Kamara and Elijah Sarratt feel that’s close to being reality for the Hoosiers. CLICK HERE

• ROMANCE OF THE ROSE BOWL? Indiana coach Curt Cignetti isn't really feeling it as the Hoosiers approach their Big Ten opener. CLICK HERE.