Hoosiers Move to 2-0 With Record Setting 77-3 Win Over Western Illinois

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Written by: TJ Inman

The Indiana Hoosiers backed up an impressive week one performance with a dominant Friday night win over Western Illinois. In a clear sign of the influence of new head coach Curt Cignetti, the Hoosiers wasted no time taking care of business as they scored three times in the stretch of seven offensive snaps to take a 21-0 lead. Indiana never really let off the gas, racking up a program record 701 yards of offense and holding Western Illinois to only 121 in the 77-3 blowout win.

Starting quarterback Kurtis Rourke was extremely sharp, completing 15 of 17 passes for 268 yards with a pair of touchdowns through the air plus one on the ground. The rushing attack continued to impress as multiple running backs led a balanced and dominant ground game that churned out 323 yards with 6.9 yards per carry. Indiana’s starters were on the field until early in the third quarter when backups began to cycle in but it mattered little as the Hoosiers poured it on regardless of who was on the field.

The Hoosiers began on offense and it was clear that getting the passing game into a rhythm was a priority. Myles Price caught a pair of passes for first downs and then Kurtis Rourke connected with Andison Coby over the top for the opening score on a 38-yard touchdown. Western Illinois quickly went three and out and Elijah Sarratt got into the action with a caught slant pass that he took inside the five-yard line. Justice Ellison finished the drive with a short touchdown run to make it 14-0. Western Illinois again was forced to punt without picking up a first down. This time, IU needed only one play to find the end zone as Rourke found Elijah Sarratt for the 71-yard touchdown. With less than six minutes gone, the contest was decided. The Hoosiers did not let up at TySon Lawton ran in another score to make it 28-0 at the end of the first quarter and the Hoosiers had 279 yards after 15 minutes of football. Kaelon Black and Elijah Green pounded out multiple first downs and Green finished the drive with a powerful touchdown run as he broke multiple tackles to put IU ahead 35-0. Omar Cooper made a very nice catch on a lobbed pass by Kurtis Rourke that got the ball to the one-yard line and Rourke scored on a quarterback sneak to make it 42-0. Western Illinois finally picked up their first 1st down of the game with 1:51 remaining in the first half and the Leathernecks got into scoring position and hit a 27-yard field goal to get on the board before the end of the half. Indiana averaged 10.9 yards per play in what was nearly a perfect 30 minutes of football for Curt Cignetti’s crew. The only negatives were injuries to backup tight end James Bomba and kicker Derek McCormick.

The second half was more of the same. Justice Ellison scored on a long touchdown run, Tayven Jackson was inserted at quarterback and scored on a nifty read option scamper and then Tayven Jackson connected with Omar Cooper for a 69-yard touchdown reception to make the score 63-3. The defense got into the act as TD Collins had a great interception and then freshman linebacker Rolijah Hardy had a pick six touchdown to make it 70-3 followed by a strip sack fumble that was recovered by Robbie Harrison. Tyler Cherry gave it to Charlie Becker on a sweep and the freshman wide receiver ran in for a historic touchdown. With the extra point from Nico Radicic, the Hoosiers broke a record that had stood since 1901 when the Hoosiers scored 76 points. IU was now ahead 77-3!

Key Takeaways

  • Western Illinois is a bad football team. That must be written and understood but this was still an extremely impressive performance from Indiana. The Hoosiers put the hammer down right away and never relinquished the intensity you hope to see.

  • We wanted to see something positive from the passing attack and our wish was granted. Kurtis Rourke looked very good, the pass blocking was very solid and the receivers caught everything that came their way. Rourke showed a couple of laser throws and a few really nice deep passes.

  • For the second straight week, you have to be really impressed by the running game. The running backs were explosive and the run-blocking was really good from the offensive line. In addition, the scheme and play-calling from Mike Shanahan really opened up opportunities the backs exploited.

  • IU’s defense looks fast, physical and has tackled much better than expected given the lack of tackling during spring and fall camp. Not giving up a first down until nearly the end of the first down is noteworthy, no matter the opponent.

  • Setting a program record for points and offensive yards is about as good of a way as you can hope for heading into a very interesting game at UCLA.