Nebraska football was supposed to be the toughest opponent Indiana had faced all season. Instead, the Huskers were just another opponent to get rolled by the Hoosiers.
Under first-year head coach Curt Cignetti, Indiana hammered Nebraska, 56-7, on Homecoming weekend. The No. 16 Hoosiers stay undefeated on the year while the Huskers falls to 5-2, including a 2-2 record in Big Ten Conference play.
For those of a superstitious nature, Nebraska wore all-white uniforms. Since 1970, the Huskers are now 7-15 in the all whites.
Nebraska has now lost three games to Indiana by more than 40 points: 2024 (56-7), 1945 (54-14), 1944 (54-0), and 1943 (54-13).
The Hoosiers struck first, marching eight plays the opening drive to score a touchdown. The ensuing kickoff had Husker fans imagining no special teams work was done during the bye week, as Jacory Barney Jr. caught the ball at the 1-yard line and went out of bounds.
Though the Huskers picked up a first down, they were forced to punt. Indiana returned new Blackshirt Brian Buschini’s punt 20 yards to setup in Nebraska territory.
A few plays later, Indiana was stopped on fourth down, giving the ball back to Nebraska. That, along with an interception at the end of the first half, was the only time the Hoosiers did not score a touchdown until a punt with 6:25 to go in the game.
Nebraska, meanwhile, managed just the one touchdown in the first half. Barney got a key block from Thomas Fidone II on the outside. Nebraska followed that up with a pair of three-and-outs, essentially sealing the game by halftime.
Indiana out-gained Nebraska 495-304 on the day.
Hoosiers quarterback Kurtis Rourke left the game with 189 yards on 17-for-21 passing. He had one touchdown pass and the interception came on a Hail Mary to end the first half. Tayven Jackson came in and threw for 91 yards and two touchdowns in garbage time.
The Hoosiers ran for 215 yards, led by Justice Ellison with 105 yards and two scores. Indiana had five rushing touchdowns on the day.
Nebraska had not given up a rushing on the touchdown before the blowout in Bloomington.
The Huskers dialed up Dylan Raiola for 44 passes. Raiola completed 28 of those for 234 yards, tossing no touchdowns and three interceptions.
Nebraska’s rushing game appeared to not make the trip to Bloomington, as the Huskers managed just 70 yards. The leading rusher was Heinrich Haarberg with 32 yards, mostly in garbage time.
NU is back on the road next weekend at No. 4 Ohio State. The Huskers and Buckeyes will kickoff at 11 a.m. CDT on FOX.
Nebraska Athletics Notes
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