Indiana football entered its Big Ten home opener against Maryland on Saturday with an unblemished 4-0 record. On a rainy and windy 65-degree day, the Hoosiers were seeking their first 5-0 start since 1967.
Despite sixth-year senior quarterback Kurtis Rourke’s two interceptions and one fumble, the Hoosiers overcame four total turnovers en route to a 42-28 victory.
Indiana received the ball to begin the contest, but Rourke threw his first interception of the season to bring the drive to a halt.
On Maryland’s opening drive, Indiana redshirt senior defensive lineman CJ West earned a sack on third down to force the Terrapins into a three-and-out. Rourke threw another interception though as the Hoosiers failed to score on their first two series.
Indiana scored its first points of the day on its third drive via a 1-yard rush from fifth-year senior receiver Myles Price. Maryland immediately responded, however, with redshirt junior quarterback Billy Edwards Jr.’s 33-yard touchdown pass to senior receiver Kaden Prather.
The next eight combined drives resulted in six punts and Indiana’s first fumble of the season, but redshirt sophomore receiver Omar Cooper Jr. caught a 27-yard touchdown with 38 seconds left in the first half. Despite three turnovers, the Hoosiers led 14-7 at halftime.
Maryland received the ball to begin the second half and went on a 10-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to tie the contest at 14. The Hoosiers, too, scored a touchdown and the Terrapins responded with a 75-yard touchdown run to knot the game at 21.
Now, with just under half of the third quarter remaining, the Hoosiers got the ball back. Rourke led the cream and crimson on a 9-play, 63-yard drive capped off with junior receiver Elijah Sarratt’s 13-yard touchdown.
The Terrapins went three-and-out on their ensuing drive before Indiana senior receiver Donaven McCulley caught a 12-yard touchdown to extend the Hoosiers’ lead to 35-21.
Maryland drove to Indiana’s 30-yard line and nearly had a touchdown that was ultimately ruled an incomplete pass. But the Hoosiers’ defense held strong, forcing the Terrapins into a turnover on downs.
Seventh-year senior running back Ty Son Lawton tacked on a touchdown to give the Hoosiers a 42-21 lead with just over four minutes left. Maryland added a touchdown, too, with 1:14 remaining, but Indiana recovered an onside kick to effectively seal a 42-28 victory.
The Hoosiers, now 5-0, travel to Evanston, Illinois, on Oct. 5 to take on Northwestern. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. EST at Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium.
Follow reporters Daniel Flick (@ByDanielFlick) and Dalton James (@DaltonMJames) and columnist Jhett Garrett (@jhettgarrett) for updates throughout the Indiana football season.
