This Saturday, No. 7 Indiana faced its toughest test of the season, against undefeated Nebraska in Lincoln.
The Hoosiers trailed by 10 in the fourth quarter, but found a way to win, 20-17, extending their winning streak to 22 straight, and moving their record to 6-0 on the season.
Nebraska got out to a hot start, having the opening drive go 13 plays for 66 yards, resulting in an early field goal. That field goal gave Nebraska the first lead over a Curt Cignetti coached team in quite some time. Indiana responded with a field goal of its own, to tie the game at three.
Nebraska found paydirt first, with wideout Nyziah Hunter running in a 10-yard score.
That score would hold until the half, but all momentum was on Nebraska’s side. At the break, Indiana had just 12 rushing yards, and had only held possession of the ball for just under eight minutes.
Nebraska had outgained Indiana by 100, and had run 27 more plays than the Hoosiers.
The second half was all Indiana, at least in the box score. Josh Hoover was able to use his legs to extend plays early in the half, driving Indiana into field goal range where Nico Radicic cut into the Nebraska lead, making it 10-6.
Nebraska quarterback Anthony Colandrea broke off a 39-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, in what seemed like a dagger in the side of the Hoosiers, sending Memorial Stadium into a frenzy.
However, as we have seen time and time again, Indiana somehow found a way to dig deep and win. The defense held Colandrea to just 5-for-13 passing after his touchdown, and sacked him twice, giving the offense a chance to go down and win the game.
Indiana’s offense did exactly what was needed. It was a name that fans were waiting on to show up, and he did in a big way. Nick Marsh finished with six catches, 187 yards and two scores. One being a 75-yard touchdown to cut the Husker lead to four, and later a 44-yard touchdown to give the Hoosiers a lead that they would never relinquish.
Indiana’s defense held strong the rest of the way, giving the Hoosiers their 22nd straight win, pushing Curt Cignetti’s record at Indiana to 36-2.
Indiana has another large test next week, when it welcomes top-5 ranked Ohio State to Bloomington at Noon on Saturday.
