3 things we learned from IU Football's win over Nebraska

BLOOMINGTON – The Indiana football team obliterated Nebraska in a game that served as a benchmark for both programs.

It was more similar to IU's win over Western Illinois.

The No. 18 Hoosiers (7-0; 4-0) performed well in front of a sold-out crowd at Memorial Stadium. They were dominant in every phase of the 56-7 victory – which marked the school's largest conference win ever after a 49-0 victory over Minnesota in 1945 – and stopped the game midway through the third quarter to come within a win are looking to tie the 1967 team for the best start in program history.

This year's team remains one of only two FBS teams to fall short this season.

The only problem? Indiana's Heisman hopeful Kurtis Rourke suffered a hand injury that sidelined him in the second half. He left the game after a near-perfect first half — throwing for 189 yards on 17 of 21 passes. Rourke did throw an interception, but it came at the last second as time expired in the first half.

More: Indiana football quarterback Kurtis Rourke suffers a hand injury against Nebraska

While Cignetti told FOX sideline reporter Jenny Teft that Rourke was “doing fine” as he left the locker room at halftime, Rourke did not join his team on the sideline.

He was replaced by substitute Tayven Jackson.

Indiana Football's defense and Tayven Jackson land the knockout blow

Jackson told IU fans not to worry about his play in the second half. He completed his first six pass attempts, including one of the most beautiful plays of the season – a back-shoulder throw that landed in the hands of Elijah Sarratt down the sideline in the end zone.

Cignetti had praised Jackson's development throughout the offense while competing with Rourke and freshman Tyler Cherry. The coach said he's used to seeing “wow” plays from Jackson in practice, but would like to see a little more consistency.

He looked good on Saturday, going 7 of 8 for 91 yards and two touchdowns.

Indiana's defense also did its part, forcing four turnovers in the second half. On Nebraska's first two possessions of the half, they had two interceptions, giving the IU offense a narrow field both times. They were the first turnovers forced by the Hoosiers since their win over Charlotte in Week 4.

Mikail Kamara helped end the game with a strip sack with the Cornhuskers in the red zone, and backup linebacker Rolijah Hardy had an interception with 6:17 left.

More: 'He's scoring points': Indiana football QB Kurtis Rourke's hot start excites Big Noon kickoff analysts

Indiana's offense passes its test against a top-15 defense

Nebraska hadn't allowed a 40-yard dash all season.

Indiana had one on its third play of the game.

Nebraska was the only team in the country that had not allowed a rushing touchdown this season before Saturday's game.

The Hoosiers pounded the ball down, capping an eight-play, 75-yard drive that opened the game.

Former Wake Forest running back Judge Ellison accomplished both feats against a Cornhuskers defense that ranked seventh in scoring defense (11.3 points), 13th in total defense (272.5) and seventh in rush defense (83.8) came into play.

Indiana had 343 total yards at halftime, including 154 rushing yards and an average of 9.6 yards per carry.

Word during the game was that this would be the toughest test yet for Indiana's offense, but the Hoosiers had no trouble at all as they scored on four of their five possessions in the first half and completed six plays of 20 yards or more.

Nebraska allowed 12 plays of 20 yards or more in its first six games. It was the most points the Cornhuskers allowed since giving up 52 to Ohio State in 2020.

More: FOX's Big Noon Kickoff crew can't get enough of Indiana's flawless football

Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti goes for the jugular at every opportunity

Indiana coach Curt Cignetti told reporters throughout the week that he was “all-in” all the time.

Cignetti lived up to that reputation Saturday, putting his team within field goal range twice in the first quarter.

The Hoosiers converted the first score – a fourth-and-1 at the Nebraska 14-yard line – on their first scoring drive. Rourke completed a quick slant route up the middle to Miles Cross at the 5-yard line.

Rourke was sacked for a nine-ball loss the next time Cignetti tried to score IU on a fourth-and-2 from Nebraska's 26-yard line.

Matt Rhule matched Cignetti's aggressive approach when he decided against a field goal at the IU 12-yard line and faced a fourth-and-1. Linebacker Jailin Walker, who had stopped running back Dante Dowdell for no gain on the previous play, ripped the ball away from the running back and defensive end Jacob Mangum-Farrar retrieved it.

Cignetti also tried to make a few downfield shots after getting the ball back with just 25 seconds left in the first half. The offense crossed the 50-yard line and Rourke was at least able to attempt a Hail Mary, which failed incomplete, to end the second quarter.

Michael Niziolek is the Indiana beat reporter for The Bloomington Herald-Times. You can follow him on X @michaelniziolek Click here to read all of his coverage.

3 things we learned from IU Football's win over Nebraska

ByVanessa

Indiana Football's defense and Tayven Jackson land the knockout blow

Indiana's offense passes its test against a top-15 defense

Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti goes for the jugular at every opportunity

By Vanessa

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