Game Wrap and Reaction: No.7 Indiana 20 Nebraska 17

Opponent: Nebraska Cornhuskers

Location: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, NE

Why They Played: 

The Huskers and Hoosiers met for the fourth time since 2019 as conference foes

What The Game Meant:

This was Indiana’s toughest test to date and a chance to become the first bowl eligible team in the country. For Nebraska, it was a chance to end a 30-game losing streak to ranked opponents.

Players of the Game

Offense

Nick Marsh, Wide Receiver, Indiana

Indiana did not just do it on the ground. IU used an aerial attack to put up big numbers as well. Boy, was it fun seeing  Becker and Marsh become a nightmare for defenses to defend. Becker caught eight passes for 107 yards and two touchdowns, while Marsh had seven catches for 120 yards and a touchdown.

Anthony Colandrea, Quarterback, Nebraska

Colandrea was tremendous and played with heart and courage. He made some big time throws and extended drives with his legs. He was a major reason why Nebraska was 8-10 on third down to start the game. While he did struggle to make the same plays in the second half, Nebraska wasn’t in that position without him.

Defense

Stephen Daley, DL, Indiana

Daley’s performance in the second half was a major reason why Indiana came back to win this game. While the entire IU defense struggled in the first half, the adjustment to widen splits in the second half allowed the defense to keep Colandrea in the pocket better and Daley finished it off. He had three tackles and two sacks. 

Owen Chambliss, Linebacker, Nebraska

The Nebraska defense played hard and tough. They held Indiana to under 100 yards rushing and just 20 points. Chambliss was a huge part of that, recording five tackles, including, one for a loss.

Special Teams Performance

On a very windy day Indiana’s special teams had a very solid day. Nico Radicic hit two field goals and both extra points. Punter Billy Gowers was solid and helped flip field position and pin Nebraska deep a couple of times. Paddy McAteer put a couple kickoffs into the stands behind the end zone.

Indiana does have some issues in in the punt return game. Tyler Morris looked hesitant trying to catch the ball and let a punt roll by before being replaced by Charlie Becker, who also struggled with the elements and not catching the ball given the opportunity.

Key Stat(s)

4-199

Indiana had four passes that went for 199 yards, including the two Nick Marsh touchdown passes. On a day when Indiana struggled with consistency on offense, they made up for it with explosive plays.

Turning Point

The turning point came when Josh Hoover hit Nick Marsh on a slant for a 75-yard catch-and-run touchdown. Just when it looked like Nebraska took a commanding lead at 17-6, IU answered on the first play and turned the tide.

I Knew it Was Over When…

The final desperation play was stopped.

What I Took Away From the Game

Indiana showed their championship culture on Saturday. On a day when it could have been very easy to panic, make a lethal mistake or just say it was not their day, IU pulled off a comeback from an 11-point fourth quarter deficit.

The blueprint to beat Indiana is clear, but proven hard to execute. Nebraska nearly did it. They kept Indiana’s offense on the side line with long methodical drives, third down conversions and some big plays. However, they did not make the most of their success. The Huskers played about as good of a first half as they have in a long time, while the Hoosiers did not. However, the halftime score was just 10-3 and IU was very fortunate not to be down by much more.

Nebraska was 8-11 on third down in the first half and only committed two penalties. They held the ball for over 22 minutes and ran 43 plays to IU’s 18. They held Indiana to 12 yards on seven runs and ran the ball for 78 yards themselves. Indiana should’ve been dead and buried. However, Nebraska let Indiana hang around. Even when they pushed the lead to 11, IU scored the next play to get back with in four and by then it was all unraveling for the home team.

Indiana settled down at halftime and Cignetti made sure he saw his entire team’s eyes before heading out of the locker room for the third quarter. The adjustments made by the defensive staff were fantastic as they widened their alignment to help keep Colandrea in the pocket.

In the second half IU made life more difficult for Nebraska, allowing only seven points that came on a great Colandrea run. After that IU put the clamps on. The Hoosiers only allowed Nebraska 2.8 yards per carry in the second half. The picked off one pass and could have had a few more as well. IU also stopped Nebraska twice on fourth down and had four sacks.

Indiana has become a hard team to kill and when an opponent lets them hang around like Nebraska, it’s tough to contain their stars. Saturday’s game is the reason why IU brought in a superstar like Nick Marsh. He turned the game around. Marsh and Charlie Becker made Nebraska choose their poison, and they decided to try Marsh. He made them pay with 187 yards on six catches. He had 107 yards after the catch.

This team is still learning how to play their best football and that is the scary part. The championship culture showed today as IU, once again, refused to lose.

What’s Next

The Hoosiers return home for one of the most anticipated games in IU football history as Ohio State comes to Bloomington.