As redshirt junior cornerback Jamier Johnson sprinted toward Memorial Stadium’s north endzone after securing Indiana's third takeaway of Saturday afternoon’s game against Nebraska, several Hoosier assistants hurriedly waved Johnson toward the sideline.
Fifty yards to Johnson’s left, redshirt sophomore left tackle Carter Smith looked at Johnson and clapped before returning to the Hoosiers’ offensive huddle. Already leading 35-7 with three minutes remaining in the third quarter, Indiana was ready to score again.
And even with a backup quarterback, it did — within just four plays.
Redshirt sophomore Tayven Jackson, playing in place of injured starter and sixth-year senior Kurtis Rourke, found junior receiver Elijah Sarratt in the left corner of the endzone for a 15-yard touchdown, extending Indiana’s lead to 42-7.
The Hoosiers (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten) never looked back, topping the Cornhuskers (5-2, 2-2 Big Ten) in dominating fashion, 56-7. The 49-point thumping tied Indiana’s all-time largest margin of victory in a Big Ten game, with the total last achieved in 1945 against Minnesota.
“I think this says a lot about our team,” Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti said postgame. “I know there was a national perception that Nebraska had a pretty legit defense on a national scale. So that will open their eyes. I think this is a great team win.”
Nebraska’s defense entered Saturday as the Big Ten’s sixth-best defense, holding opponents to 272.5 yards per game. The Cornhuskers’ run defense ranked No. 3 in the conference, allowing only 84.2 yards per game on the ground through the first six games.
Yet Indiana’s offense had no issues. The Hoosiers totaled 495 yards from scrimmage, including 343 in the first half, and eclipsed 40 points for the sixth straight game, extending their own program record.
Seventh-year senior running back Ty Son Lawton said postgame Indiana entered Saturday expecting to have tight rushing lanes. Instead, the Hoosiers’ offensive line dominated.
“Those are probably the widest holes that we've seen all season,” Lawton said. “Shout out to the O-line.”
Lawton rushed eight times for 64 yards and a touchdown, while fellow backfield mate Justice Ellison took nine carries for 105 yards and two scores. For Ellison, a fifth-year senior, the game marked his fourth career 100-yard performance.
Cignetti said Indiana’s offensive line created big holes for Lawton and Ellison, who combined for 169 yards and three touchdowns on 17 attempts. The Hoosiers also had more men in the box, with Cignetti guessing the advantage came due to the Cornhuskers overplaying Indiana’s run-pass option threat.
As a result, Indiana offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan dialed running plays time and again, and the ground game answered the call each time. The Hoosiers finished with 215 yards and five touchdowns on 33 attempts, averaging 6.5 yards per carry.
Indiana set the tone on its first possession. Ellison had two carries: a 43-yard scamper that pushed the Hoosiers deep into Nebraska territory and a five-yard touchdown. Ellison, who played in his 50th career game Saturday, said he’s played enough college football to recognize the potential damage of Indiana’s rushing attack after the opening drive.
And the Hoosiers, adopting the pedal-to-the-medal identity Cignetti hoped they would, never took their foot off the gas.
“I knew, like, ‘Okay, this is going to be a long game for them,’” Ellison said of his mentality following the first-drive score. “But we can’t be too high, can’t be too low. You’ve got to stay in the middle, and you’ve got to continue to have that humble mindset.”
The Hoosiers’ rushing attack also stayed in the middle. Ellison noted Indiana’s coaching staff preached all week there was no need to be Superman, and if inside rushing lanes were available, take them.
Those lanes, in the running backs’ eyes, were hard to miss.
“It was like the Red Sea,” Ellison said. “It was great, man. As soon as I come to the sideline, I always congratulate the O-line — they might not get as much credit and TV time, but they’re doing a wonderful job.”
Cignetti said the Hoosiers’ offensive line is made up of blue-collar guys and is coached by another in Bob Bostad, the lone holdover from Indiana’s previous staff. The offensive line’s cohesion and toughness drew praise from Cignetti, who also touted the blocking of Indiana’s receivers.
Explosive plays happen with downfield blocking, Cignetti said, and the Hoosiers sprung nine runs of at least 10 yards. By the game’s end, Indiana’s rushing attack totaled 43% of the team’s 495 yards en route to its fourth 200-yard performance this season.
The Hoosiers’ offense scored eight touchdowns Saturday. Apart from dominating Nebraska’s defense, such an effort made life easier for Indiana defensive coordinator Bryant Haines’ unit.
Indiana held Nebraska scoreless for the final 37 minutes and generated four takeaways, a new season high. Sophomore cornerback D’Angelo Ponds said the Hoosiers’ strong offensive showing directly correlated to the team’s tenacious defensive effort.
“It definitely helps a lot,” Ponds said. “If our offense is putting up numbers like that, we just got to do our part, and we’ll win.”
Against Nebraska, Indiana’s defense did its part — and a win followed. The Hoosiers are now 7-0 and boast one of the nation’s best offenses, spearheaded by an offensive line and running game capable of setting tones early in games and demoralizing opponents by the end.
And in a season based on cloud nine, Ellison let his mind reach a new place: the College Football Playoffs.
“Definitely taking it one day at a time,” Ellison said. “But you’ve got to have big dreams.”
Follow reporters Daniel Flick (@ByDanielFlick) and Dalton James (@DaltonMJames) and columnist Jhett Garrett (@jhettgarrett) for updates throughout the Indiana football season.
