Game Wrap and Reaction: Indiana 42 UCLA 13

Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

Opponent: UCLA Bruins

Location: Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, CA

Why They Played: 

The Hoosiers represented the Bruins first conference game as members of the Big Ten conference.

What The Game Meant: 

This game carried significance both on and off the field. For the fans, it was a trip to see IU play in the Rose Bowl Stadium for the first time since 1968. For the team on the field it was a chance to see how they stacked up against a Power Four opponent. It turns out, they hold up pretty well.

Top Offensive Performers:

Kurtis Rourke, QB, Indiana- Rourke was surgical all night for the Hoosiers. He completed 25-of-33 passes for 307 yards and four touchdowns. His calmness helped IU go 8-12 on third down as well.

Ke’Shawn Williams, WR, Indiana- Williams only made three catches, but two of them went for touchdowns. His speed is noticeable as well.

Miles Cross, WR, Indiana- It seems like it’s a different guy in the receiving room that steps up for IU. This week it was Cross who made six catches for 90 yards and a score.

T.J. Harden, RB, UCLA- Harden had the most success for the Bruins’ offense with 97 total yards and their lone touchdown.

Top Defensive Performers:

Amare Ferrell, Rover, Indiana- Ferrell is fitting in perfectly to the Rover role. On Saturday he made six tackles, including a sack and he intercepted a pass.

Kain Merando, LB, UCLA- Merando was in the IU backfield plenty in an effort to slow IU down. He had three tackles for loss and nine total tackles.

Special Teams Performance:

IU was without kick off specialist Derek McCormick Saturday night and they handled that just fine. Alejandro Quintero had the first two attempts, but put the second out of bounds. Freshman Quinn Warren got a few chances as well.

Nico Radicic hit all six extra points, but did not attempt a field goal. While we did not see James Evans until the last 30 seconds of the game. He had one punt for 38 yards.

Key Stat(s):

8-12, 9-9, 128

The Hoosiers won this game by going 8-of-12 on third down, which was aided by Rourke completing all nine of his passes for 128 yards. 

Turning Point:

The turning point came on UCLA’s first play on offense when Ethan Garbers lost a fumble that led to IU taking a 14-0 lead just a couple minutes later in the first quarter.

I Knew it Was Over When…

IU responded to UCLA’s field goal with a touchdown to open the third quarter to make it 28-10 Hoosiers.

Players of the Game:

Kurtis Rourke- It has been a while since IU had this kind of quarterback play. Rourke had total command of the offense all night.

What I take away From the Game:

Two things need to be said before people jump in the comments and say we didn’t mention it. 

First, the IU offensive line played a really good game. They kept Rourke clean and just bullied the UCLA defense.

Second, Hoosier Nation showed up. It was a heck of an IU contingent that made the trek out to the Rose Bowl. They were loud and they stayed all night.

This was sort of a litmus test for the Hoosiers as the doubters pointed to the level of competition in the first two games (and they still might). IU was in control all night, there really was never a doubt about the outcome of the game. The Hoosier passing game carved up the UCLA defense while the IU defense brought an edge and nastiness on the other side of the ball. IU dominated a conference opponent on the road and secured their first ‘toss-up’ win of the year.

There is some fallout from the win that IU will be dealing with next week. Starting defensive lineman C.J. West and starting corner DeAngelo Ponds will miss the first have against Charlotte due to targeting penalties in the second half. There were a handful of awful calls or no-calls in the roughing and targeting category, but IU will have to plug in some players in the first half next week.

What’s Next

The Hoosiers (3-0) return home to finish out the non-conference slate against the Charlotte 49ers. The game kicks off at noon on BTN.