Rome wasn’t built in a day, but No. 16 Indiana seems to have been, and built well. And in the span of a day, the Hoosiers (7-0, 4-0) demolished Nebraska 56-7.
Virtually nothing went right for the Huskers (5-2, 1-2). They were outgained 495-304. They turned the ball over five times to IU’s one. After not giving up a single rushing touchdown the first six games, the Hoosiers scored five. Indiana ran the ball at will, averaging 7.5 yards per carry on 30 carries before game-ending kneeldowns while also piling up 280 yards through the air on 24-of-30 passing.
The Hoosiers set the tone early. Nebraska gave Indiana the ball to start, winning the toss but deferring their choice until the second half. IU took the ball at its 25. On 3rd and 1 from the 34, Justice Ellison broke off a 43-yard run to the NU 23. On the next series of downs, the Hoosiers converted a 4th and 1 from the 14. On the next play from the five, Ellison punched it in to give Indiana the lead.
A critical mistake followed, as Jacory Barney, Jr., caught a kickoff on the sideline at the one-yard line rather than letting it go out of bounds to give NU the ball at the 35. After getting one first down, the Huskers punted back to Indiana. A Mikai Gbayor sack on 4th down gave Nebraska a turnover on downs, but after a good Nebraska drive, Dante Dowdell fumbled after converting on fourth down, and the Hoosiers wasted no time cashing in the Husker mistake. A lightning-quick six-play, 88-yard drive pushed the IU lead to 14-0 early in the second quarter.
Nebraska took over and marched 75 yards in 13 plays, with Barney darting in from seven yards out to get the Huskers on the board. But the Hoosiers responded again. A 10-play, 75-yard touchdown drive rebuilt Indiana’s lead to 14. After a Nebraska three-and-out, the Hoosiers exploded down the field again, four plays, 74 yards and a 28-7 lead late in the 2nd quarter. Indiana’s foot stayed firmly on the gas pedal, scoring on four of five possessions to move the game into blowout territory.
Dylan Raiola was 28-for-44 for 234 yards but a career-worst three interceptions. Nebraska’s run game continued to be ineffective, averaging under three yards per carry. The Huskers’ leading rusher was backup quarterback Heinrich Haarberg, who gained 32 yards on five carries. The one bright spot may have been Thomas Fidone, who had six catches for 91 yards, both career highs. Ohio transfer Kurtis Rourke was 17-for-21 for 189 yards and one touchdown against one interception. Ellison gashed Nebraska for 105 yards on just nine carries and two touchdowns. Four different Hoosiers scored at least one rushing touchdown.
Nebraska faces another daunting challenge next week at No. 4 Ohio State (5-1, 2-1). Kickoff is set for 11 a.m., with pregame starting at 7 a.m. on KLIN.