Indiana football began its season with a 31-7 win over Florida International University on Saturday afternoon in Memorial Stadium. The game marked Indiana’s first under head coach Curt Cignetti, who was hired last November after five years at James Madison University.
The Hoosiers scored their first points of the season on their second drive, as sixth-year senior quarterback Kurtis Rourke hit senior tight end Zach Horton for a nine-yard touchdown less than six minutes into the first quarter.
Rourke, a transfer from Ohio University, and Horton, a transfer from James Madison, started a trend of Indiana newcomers finding the endzone.
The following drive, seventh-year senior running back Ty Son Lawton eluded a tackler and marched into the endzone, capping a nine-play, 76-yard drive with a 13-yard touchdown run.
Indiana, already leading 14-0, added to its tally the next possession, as Lawton found paydirt from two yards out. Led by a trio of third down conversions, the Hoosiers had their longest drive of the afternoon, covering 93 yards on 16 plays. The series lasted over eight minutes.
Florida International punched back late in the first half, as sophomore quarterback Keyone Jenkins tossed a seven-yard touchdown to redshirt junior tight end Rocky Beers with less than one minute remaining.
The Hoosiers took a 21-7 lead into the break.
After its defense forced Florida International to punt on the first drive of the second half, Indiana killed nearly six and a half minutes of clock before redshirt freshman kicker Nicolas Radicic nailed a 35-yard field goal.
The Hoosiers held a 24-7 advantage over the Golden Panthers entering the fourth quarter, and a late 51-yard rushing score from fifth-year senior running back Elijah Green gave Indiana its final score of the game.
Indiana outgained Florida International, 414-182, in total yards. Rourke, who went 15-of-24 for 180 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions, outdueled Jenkins, whose afternoon ended 20-of-29 for 129 yards, one score and an interception.
The Hoosiers’ rushing attack, led by Green, Lawton and fifth-year senior Justice Ellison, finished with 40 carries for 234 yards and three touchdowns.
Indiana (1-0) returns to action at 7 p.m. Sept. 6 against Western Illinois University (0-1) inside Memorial Stadium.
Follow reporters Daniel Flick (@ByDanielFlick) and Dalton James (@DaltonMJames) and columnist Jhett Garrett (@jhettgarrett) for updates throughout the Indiana football season.
