Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)

The Indiana Hoosiers entered today’s game with a chance to match their best eight-game start since 1993. Facing the much-ballyhooed Scott Frost and the Nebraska Cornhuskers (4-4) in Lincoln, IU got a terrific performance from backup quarterback Peyton Ramsey and won at Nebraska for the first time since the 1950s. The 38-31 victory moves the Hoosiers to 6-2 and assures they will be playing in a bowl game this winter. The Hoosiers will now focus on improving their bowl stock as much as possible and continuing this special season.

The Nebraska Cornhuskers hosted their 373rd straight sellout in Lincoln on a sun-splashed afternoon. Both teams were without their starting quarterbacks as Michael Penix Jr. and Adrian Martinez were both kept on the sideline with injuries. Peyton Ramsey started for Indiana while Noah Vedral got the nod for Nebraska.

Nebraska welcomed back Wan’Dale Robinson and the Huskers began the game with a terrific drive. They marched 75 in less than 90 seconds and Vedral ran in for a four-yard score to put the home side ahead 7-0. Indiana responded with a nice drive of their own, getting inside the ten-yard line but having to settle for a 22-yard field goal by Logan Justus. Nebraska stayed on fire on offense, quickly getting into scoring position and Vedral again scored with a rushing touchdown to make it 14-3. The Nebraska crowd smelled blood and the Hoosiers had to respond or face a blowout. Peyton Ramsey led Indiana’s response and finished a nice drive with an eight-yard touchdown run. However, IU missed the extra point to make it 14-9. The first quarter ended with Nebraska’s offense moving the ball again. As the second quarter began, Jamar Johnson hit Noah Vedral and forced a fumble that was scooped up by Allen Stallings. The big defensive lineman rumbled to the eight-yard line and on the next play, Peyton Ramsey connected with Ty Fryfogle for a touchdown to put IU ahead 16-14. Nebraska was aided by a penalty that kept their ensuing drive going but the Huskers missed a 32-yard field goal. The Hoosiers could not get any breathing room as they punted back to Nebraska at midfield, pinning the Huskers at the three-yard line. Vedral was injured on a scramble and freshman Luke McCaffrey entered for Nebraska. He connected with Kanawai Noa for a touchdown right before the half ended and the teams entered the locker room with the Huskers leading 21-16.

Indiana had the first possession of the second half but they were unable to get the lead back, punting to the eight-yard line. The defense forced Nebraska to punt and it was shanked, giving the Hoosiers great field position at the 35-yard line. IU took advantage, converting on a third and short and then scoring on a David Ellis one-yard run on a sweep. IU went for two and Peyton Hendershot hung on for a touch catch to take a 24-21 lead. Luke McCaffrey primarily used his legs and the Huskers ran the ball almost exclusively to get into scoring position. They were forced to settle for a field goal and squeezed in a 30-yard field goal to tie the game at 24. The Hoosiers started at the 35 and moved into scoring position with a long pass to Hendershot and then on the final play of the third quarter, Ramsey threw a short touchdown to Matt Bjorson to give the Hoosiers the 31-24 lead. Nebraska was on the move but Noa was hit by Alfred Bryant and coughed up the ball. IU’s Juwan Burgess fell on it and the Hoosiers took over at the 43-yard line. Indiana faced a fourth and seven but Tom Allen trusted his offense and Ramsey converted it to Whop Philyor to keep the drive alive. IU ultimately scored on a ten-yard run from Stevie Scott to go ahead 38-24. Nebraska would not go away quietly as Luke McCaffrey led the Huskers down the field and Robinson scored on a short run to make it 38-31 with 10:21 remaining. Indiana was unable to put the game away but Haydon Whitehead pinned Nebraska at the eight-yard line with 6:36 left and the Hoosiers forced Nebraska into a turnover on downs with 3:23 left on the clock. Facing a third and seven with around three minutes remaining, Peyton Ramsey saw an opening and scrambled for a first down with an 11-yard gain. Stevie Scott ground out a pair of first downs and IU ran out the clock to win their third straight Big Ten game and move to 6-2 and earn bowl eligibility for just the fourth time in 25 years.

Peyton Ramsey had a career-best performance, carving up Nebraska’s defense to the tune of 351 yards on 27 of 40 and adding 42 rushing yards. Whop Philyor had another outstanding day, catching 14 passes for 178 yards. Ty Fryfogle added 75 yards with a score and Stevie Scott churned out 68 yards with a touchdown on the ground. Nebraska outgained the Hoosiers 514-455 but the Hoosiers were able to overcome that deficit with success on third and fourth downs and by forcing a pair of takeaways. After a pair of back-to-back road triumphs, IU returns home to host Northwestern. Halloween hasn’t arrived yet but I assure you, this is no trick: the Indiana Hoosiers are going bowling.

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