The 1989 Indiana Hoosiers football team represented Indiana University Bloomington as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 1989 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by sixth-year head coach Bill Mallory, the Hoosiers compiled an overall record of 5âÂÂ6 with a mark of 3âÂÂ5 in conference play, tying for sixth place the Big Ten. It was Indiana's first losing season since 1985. The team played home games at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Indiana.
In the battle for the Old Oaken Bucket, Purdue beat Indiana. On November 24, Anthony Thompson was the top vote-getter and the only repeat selection on the 1989 Walter Camp All-America team. Thompson finished the season with 1,793 yards and 24 touchdowns. On December 2, a chorus of boos was heard throughout the Hoosier Dome during the IndianaâÂÂKentucky basketball game when Andre Ware of the Houston Cougars was announced as the 55th recipient of the Heisman Trophy. Thompson finished second.
Larry Sullivan kicked a 32-yard field goal with 2:51 left and Scott Bonnell missed a 26-yard field goal for Indiana with 1:29 remaining. The loss knocked the Hoosiers out of playing in the Freedom Bowl while others speculated it may have also contributed to Anthony Thompson not winning the Heisman Trophy.