Indiana Crushes Nebraska 56-7, Extends Best Start in 57 Years

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Indiana Crushes Nebraska 56-7, Extends Best Start in 57 Years \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Justice Ellison ran for 105 yards and two touchdowns, propelling No. 16 Indiana to a 56-7 win over Nebraska, marking their most lopsided Big Ten victory in program history. Despite quarterback Kurtis Rourke exiting with an injury, Indiana’s offense continued to dominate. The Hoosiers improved to 7-0 for the first time since 1967, staying undefeated as legitimate Big Ten title contenders.

Indiana’s Big Win Over Nebraska: Quick Looks

Ellison shines: Justice Ellison rushed for 105 yards and two first-half touchdowns.
Rourke injury: Indiana QB Kurtis Rourke left the game with a thumb injury, but is expected to be fine.
Historic win: Indiana’s 49-point margin matches their most dominant Big Ten win.
Nebraska struggles: Cornhuskers’ defense, which hadn’t allowed a rushing TD all season, gave up five.
Big Ten title hopes: Indiana’s confidence continues to rise with tougher games ahead.

Deep Look

Justice Ellison, with 105 rushing yards and two touchdowns in the first half, led the No. 16 Indiana Hoosiers to a 56-7 blowout victory over Nebraska on Saturday. This commanding win not only continued Indiana’s best start in 57 years but also tied the program’s largest margin of victory in Big Ten play, dating back to a 49-0 win over Minnesota in 1945.

The Hoosiers entered the game with an undefeated record, and their momentum was unstoppable, even with quarterback Kurtis Rourke leaving the game after a thumb injury in the first half. Rourke, who had thrown for 189 yards and a touchdown before his exit, was replaced by Tayven Jackson, who seamlessly took over to guide Indiana’s offense.

Indiana’s head coach Curt Cignetti, known for his no-nonsense approach, was confident about Rourke’s injury being minor. “A little thumb thing, I feel good about it, I really do,” Cignetti said, adding that taking Rourke out was purely a precautionary move. Rourke’s efficient play—completing 17 of 21 passes—helped Indiana build a comfortable lead, which only grew under Jackson’s leadership.

A Historic Win and Ellison’s Dominance

Indiana’s dominance was clear from the start. Ellison, a senior transfer from Wake Forest, found the end zone on a 5-yard touchdown run during Indiana’s opening possession. By halftime, Ellison had already added a 31-yard touchdown, pushing the Hoosiers to a 28-7 lead. His 105 yards came on just nine carries, showcasing the Hoosiers’ ability to control the game with their running attack.

Nebraska, entering the game with a defense that had yet to allow a rushing touchdown all season, was overwhelmed by Indiana’s balanced offensive attack. The Cornhuskers gave up five rushing touchdowns, unable to contain the Hoosiers’ offensive line, which Cignetti praised after the game. “We’ve got some real blue-collar guys up front. They put a good day’s work in,” he said.

This victory not only gave Indiana its seventh straight win but also matched the program’s biggest Big Ten blowout ever. The last time Indiana started 7-0 was in 1967, when the Hoosiers opened 8-0 en route to a Rose Bowl appearance.

Indiana’s Offensive Explosion and Defensive Stoutness

In addition to Ellison’s standout performance, Tayven Jackson took over for Rourke and made an immediate impact. Jackson threw two touchdown passes, one to Miles Cross and another to Elijah Sarratt, further padding Indiana’s lead. Ty Son Lawton added to the Hoosiers’ scoring frenzy with 64 rushing yards and a 1-yard touchdown run, helping Indiana finish with an average of 9.3 yards per play in the first half alone.

On the defensive side, Indiana completely shut down Nebraska’s offense. The Cornhuskers, who had previously limited five of six opponents to 10 points or fewer, allowed Indiana to post 56 points—the highest total they’ve given up this season. Nebraska’s freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola struggled against Indiana’s defense, completing 28 of 44 passes for 234 yards but throwing three interceptions and losing a fumble. The Cornhuskers’ inability to capitalize on three red-zone opportunities further doomed their chances of keeping the game close.

Cignetti’s Leadership and Confidence

Indiana’s head coach Curt Cignetti has made an immediate impact in his first season with the Hoosiers, becoming the first coach in program history to start his tenure with seven consecutive wins. Known for his disciplined approach, Cignetti made it clear after the game that he won’t allow his team to rest on their laurels. “I’m not going to let ’em get complacent, and not the coaches, either,” he said. “I was a maniac in the fourth quarter.”

Indiana’s success has come as a surprise to many, as the team was initially projected to finish 17th in the expanded 18-team Big Ten conference. However, with each win, the Hoosiers are establishing themselves as legitimate contenders in the race for the Big Ten title, especially with tough upcoming games against Washington, Michigan, and Ohio State.

Nebraska’s Struggles and Coach Rhule’s Reaction

Nebraska, on the other hand, saw their promising 5-1 start unravel in the face of Indiana’s relentless attack. Coming off a bye week, the Cornhuskers were expected to pose the biggest challenge to Indiana yet. However, from the opening drive, Nebraska found themselves on the back foot. Their defense, which had been a strength all season, couldn’t contain Indiana’s explosive offense, while the offense failed to convert key opportunities.

Second-year head coach Matt Rhule didn’t hold back in his post-game comments, taking responsibility for the team’s poor performance. “This happened on my watch,” Rhule said. “And I’ll be honest, I didn’t see this coming. I’m not embarrassed of our players, but I’m embarrassed about the job I did.”

The 49-point loss marks Nebraska’s most lopsided defeat since a 62-3 drubbing by Ohio State in 2016. Rhule will now look to regroup his team ahead of another tough matchup against Ohio State next week.

The Takeaway

Nebraska: After a promising start to the season, the Cornhuskers were blindsided by Indiana’s dominant performance. The loss exposed cracks in Nebraska’s defense and raised questions about their ability to compete with the top teams in the Big Ten. The Cornhuskers will need to bounce back quickly, as they face Ohio State next.

Indiana: The Hoosiers are riding high after another statement win, and with their best start since 1967, the team is brimming with confidence. Tougher tests await, with games against Washington, Michigan, and Ohio State looming, but Indiana has proven they are a legitimate threat in the Big Ten. Coach Curt Cignetti’s disciplined approach and refusal to let the team become complacent are key to their continued success.