Indiana football had yet to allow any of its opponents to score in the first quarter. It also had not trailed. But that was until Saturday.
The No. 13 Hoosiers allowed Michigan State to score 10 points in the first quarter as the Hoosiers not only trailed but did so by double digits.
But with sixth-year senior quarterback Kurtis Rourke back in uniform, the Hoosiers responded with 47 unanswered points en route to a 47-10 victory over the Spartans to reclaim the Old Brass Spittoon on Saturday inside Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan.
Indiana went three-and-out on its first two drives while Michigan State notched a field goal and freshman wide receiver Nick Marsh’s toe-tap touchdown. The Hoosiers trailed 10-0 after the first quarter as they were outgained 128 to 52.
But in the second quarter, Indiana’s offense arrived.
Rourke found senior tight end Zach Horton for a 17-yard touchdown to pull the Hoosiers to within 3. On the Spartans’ next possession, Indiana sophomore defensive back Amare Ferrell picked off Michigan State sophomore quarterback Aidan Chiles’ pass. The Hoosiers failed to capitalize off the interception.
Indiana forced Michigan State to punt, and then seventh-year senior running back Ty Son Lawton notched a 1-yard touchdown. Ferrell picked off Chiles for a second time, and the Hoosiers responded this time with junior receiver Elijah Sarratt’s 4-yard touchdown, leading 21-10 at halftime.
Coming out of the locker room, Indiana wasted no time scoring more points.
Sophomore cornerback D’Angelo Ponds blocked Michigan State’s punt for a safety. On Indiana’s ensuing drive, Rourke found fifth-year senior receiver Myles Price for an 18-yard score to take a 30-10 advantage.
While the Hoosiers’ offense was on a roll, so was their defense. Redshirt junior defensive lineman Mikail Kamara racked up 2.5 sacks, finishing with 4.5 tackles for loss as the Spartans’ offensive lined failed to contain him.
Indiana’s offensive onslaught continued less than a minute into the fourth quarter as redshirt sophomore receiver Omar Cooper Jr. notched a 16-yard touchdown on a reverse. Sarratt caught another touchdown just over three minutes later to give the Hoosiers a 47-10 lead.
Rourke’s touchdown pass to Sarratt proved to be his last play of the contest, finishing 19 for 29 for 263 yards and four touchdowns. Indiana’s defense accumulated 15 tackles for loss, allowing zero points and 77 yards after the first quarter.
Now at 9-0 for the first time in program history, the Hoosiers return to Bloomington to host Michigan on Nov. 9. The kickoff time and network designation have yet to be announced.
Follow reporters Daniel Flick (@ByDanielFlick) and Dalton James (@DaltonMJames) and columnist Jhett Garrett (@jhettgarrett) for updates throughout the Indiana football season.
