Former Oregon OC Will Stein on Facing Indiana's Defense: 'They Whooped My Ass'

New Kentucky head coach reflects on struggles against the Hoosiers' elite scheme and players.

Feb. 2, 2026 at 7:23pm

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In a candid interview, new Kentucky head coach and former Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein opened up about the challenges he faced against Indiana's defense during his time with the Ducks. Stein acknowledged that the Hoosiers "whooped my ass" in their two matchups this past season, praising Indiana's elite players, scheme, and coaching staff.

Why it matters

Stein's comments highlight the rise of Indiana football under head coach Curt Cignetti. After winning the national championship in just their second season, the Hoosiers have established themselves as the new standard in college football, with their dominant defense posing problems even for one of the nation's top offenses led by Stein.

The details

During Stein's three-year tenure as Oregon's offensive coordinator, the Ducks had one of the most explosive offenses in the country. However, that offense was stifled in both of Oregon's losses to Indiana this past season. In the first matchup, the Hoosiers held the Ducks to just one offensive touchdown, 267 total yards, and a 3-of-14 conversion rate on third down. In the Peach Bowl, Indiana forced three turnovers and limited Oregon to just two touchdowns before a late 75-yard drive.

  • In the first matchup between Oregon and Indiana this past season, the Hoosiers held the Ducks to just one offensive touchdown.
  • In the Peach Bowl, a game with a spot in the national championship on the line, Indiana forced three turnovers and limited Oregon to just two touchdowns before a late 75-yard drive.

The players

Will Stein

The new head coach at Kentucky, Stein was previously the offensive coordinator at Oregon, where his offenses were among the most dominant in the country until facing Indiana.

Curt Cignetti

The head coach of the Indiana Hoosiers, who have quickly established their program as the new standard in college football after winning the national championship in just their second season.

Dante Moore

The Oregon quarterback, who had two of his four lowest passing percentage games and two of his four lowest point totals of the season against Indiana.

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What they’re saying

“They (Indiana) have elite players, an elite scheme, and are coached extremely well. That's what everyone is striving for … I was a part of two games where they whooped my ass, just to be frank and they played better than everybody that they played against.”

— Will Stein, Head Coach, Kentucky

“It's a credit to them and their staff, their players, their buy-in from their administration and their fans. You know, I've seen — I don't you guys have probably seen it on twitter, you know Curt Cignetti's first game. It's like not even that full, you know, and then he just goes in there and wins. So they're definitely the standard of college football as of now and it's exciting for all of us to to fight to get to that that place”

— Will Stein, Head Coach, Kentucky

The takeaway

Stein's candid admission of the struggles his high-powered Oregon offense faced against Indiana's elite defense underscores the rapid rise of the Hoosiers' program under Curt Cignetti. Indiana has quickly established itself as the new standard in college football, and Stein's comments suggest that even top offensive minds like himself are finding it difficult to solve the Hoosiers' defensive puzzle.