Indiana Football routs Nebraska 56-7 in Homecoming win

In what many labeled their first test of the season Indiana football had no problems as they routed Nebraska 56-7 to improve to 7-0 on the season.

The Hoosier offense continued their dominant start to the season as they did not punt until there was 6:25 left in the game. Today also marked the sixth straight game they’ve scored more than 40 points.

The Hoosiers’ aggressive rushing attack played a huge role in the Homecoming victory. Coming into the game the Nebraska defense had not allowed a rushing touchdown on the season.

Indiana football ran for five touchdowns on the day.

Justice Ellison led the way with 105 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries.

Ty Son Lawton also had a big day on the ground. Lawton added 64 rushing yards and a touchdown on eight attempts.

Kaelon Black and Elijah Green both had a rushing touchdown in the win.

As a team the Hoosiers had 215 rushing yards on 6.8 yards per attempt.

Indiana’s passing attack continued to show their explosiveness in the first half behind Kurtis Rourke. Rourke threw for 189 yards and a touchdown while completing 17-21 attempts. He threw his third interception of the season on a Hail Mary attempt at the end of the half.

Rourke did not play in the second half after suffering a hand injury in the first half.

Tayven Jackson came in to replace Rourke and threw a touchdown on his second attempt. Jackson finished the game 7-8 for 91 yards and two touchdowns.

Miles Cross led Indiana football with seven catches which he turned into 65 yards and a touchdown.

Elijah Sarratt also had a good day catching three passes for 65 yards and a touchdown. While he only had three catches, the degree of difficulty on them is what stood out. He made two back-shoulder catches on deep balls and then caught an over-the-shoulder touchdown from Jackson.

Myles Price caught the other touchdown for Indiana.

As dominant as the offense was, the defense matched their effort led by the linebacker duo of Aiden Fisher and Jailin Walker.

Fisher led Indiana football with 11 tackles while Walker made big play after big play.

On third down of Nebraska’s first drive of the game, Walker got pressure on Dylan Raiola to force an incompletion and fourth down. Walker then forced a fumble on a fourth and one attempt inside the red zone to help get the stop. He finished the game with six total tackles and a tackle for loss.

Terry Jones Jr. also made an impact with six tackles, a sack, and a tackle for loss.

Indiana football made five-star freshman Dylan Raiola struggle in the game. Raiola came into the game with just three interceptions on the season but doubled that total today. Raiola threw three picks including one inside the red zone.

Shawn Asbury II, Jamier Johnson, and Rolijah Hardy each had an interception off of Raiola.

Indiana forced five turnovers in the win.

James Carpenter and Mikail Kamara both made their presence felt on the defensive line for the Hoosiers. Carpenter had two tackles for loss, while Kamara had a tackle for loss and a strip sack on fourth down.

After the dominant performance, Indiana football will look to improve to 8-0 when they host Washington next Saturday at noon.

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