FOOTBALL

‘It motivated us to play fast’: Indiana football fans tie together 56-7 win over Nebraska, showcasing the big picture of this team

A sold out crowd of Hoosier fans helped push Indiana football to an undefeated 7-0 record Saturday afternoon.

Published

3 days ago

October 19, 2024

Indiana's Shawn Asbruy II (1) returns an interception during the Indiana versus Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024.

Following a road game at Northwestern and a bye week, Indiana football finally returned home to Memorial Stadium.

Besides Saturday afternoon’s game being a big matchup against Nebraska, there was a lot going on in Bloomington for homecoming weekend.

Not only were Indiana football fans buying into the team, but the team had finally grabbed national attention.

Indiana football headed into the game with a perfect 6-0 record, earning the opportunity to host Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff pregame show and game broadcast.

The pregame show featured panelists Mark Ingram II, Matt Leinart, Urban Meyer, Brady Quinn and Rob Stone, while Bloomington native John Mellencamp appeared on the show.

Shortly after Fox announced to host the Big Noon Kickoff show at Indiana University, Barstool Sports posted that they would be hosting a Barstool Sports pregame show in the tailgate fields next to the stadium.

Barstool Sports’ owner Dave Portnoy along with several other well-recognized Barstool Sports representatives appeared on the show.

Fans began filling the stadium as soon as gates opened, with attendance being a sold out crowd of 53,082. The attendance set a record as the fourth highest attendance in Indiana football history.

The loudness of ‘The Rock’ certainly assisted in Indiana football’s success, as Indiana scored touchdowns on eight of twelve drives in the game.

Indiana football head coach Curt Cignetti commented on his thought process behind the alarming high number of Indiana fans in the seats.

“Keep winning, people going to come. I felt confident it could happen here.”

Coach Cignetti has now led Indiana football to a 7-0 record, the first time the program has reached this feat since 1967.

Indiana football wide receiver Miles Cross thrived in the crazy atmosphere, collecting seven receptions for 65 yards and a touchdown.

Cross, a senior receiver, explained how special it was to play in a packed Memorial Stadium.

“It was incredible man. We definitely fed off the crowd and we just looking to build upon it.”

Cross and Indiana’s receiver group caught passes left and right throughout the blowout win, having ten different pass catchers move the ball up the field for 280 yards on 24 receptions.

Cross led the team in receiving yards in the game, tied with Elijah Sarratt, both totaling 65 yards.

Indiana quarterbacks Kurtis Rourke and Tayven Jackson seemed to feel extremely comfortable targeting Cross, as he caught all seven of his passes throughout the game.

A specific area of Indiana’s success in the victory that stood out was defense. Indiana’s defense looked spectacular, intercepting Dylan Raiola three times, sacking Raiola twice and also forcing two fumbles.

One of the more notorious interceptions against Raiola came halfway through the third quarter as Shawn Asbury II picked off Raiola in front of the end zone, returning the interception for 79 yards.

Asbury II has become a big name on Indiana’s defense after transferring from Old Dominion University. The senior defensive back has recorded 37 total tackles this season, 14 of which being solo tackles.

Asbury II reflected on how it felt playing a home game in front of a sold out crowd.

“It was crazy. It needs to be like that for the rest of the games. Every game from here on out, you need to come out, pack the stands, and you know we gonna give them a show like we did today.”

After spending three seasons at Boston College and Old Dominion University, Asbury II described experiencing an atmosphere like today’s for the first time.

“I’m kind of excited to experience it honestly and go out there and perform the way we did. I feel like this is a great feeling. I’m happy that the fans came out and seeing what we can do and we was able to put on a show for them.”

Indiana’s defense was showcased at full strength, having Jailin Walker back in the starting lineup after he left the Northwestern game mid-game with an injury.

Walker played like his normal self against Nebraska, totalling six tackles and forcing a fumble. Walker’s forced fumble came on a Nebraska fourth and one attempt, where Walker punched the ball free.

Walker discussed how magical it was to be an Indiana player in this game.

“I never played in a crowd like this. Shout out to the crowd, they came with loud noises and it motivated us to play fast.”

Energy being contagious is definitely the case when Indiana plays at home. Indiana football is outscoring opponents 258-59 when playing at home. The team has physically proven they feed off of the fans, demonstrating the true importance of having home field advantage in college football.

Indiana football fans will get to make an impact on the team once again next Saturday, as Indiana football will stay home to host Washington, a noon kickoff at Memorial Stadium.