Indiana football defeats Florida International University in 2024 season opener

Photos by James Rush and Briana Pace

Photo 1: Indiana football fans cheer in the student section during a game against Florida International University Aug. 31, 2024, at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington. Saturday's game was the Hoosiers' first game of the season.

Photo 2:Redshirt senior running back Ty Son Lawton celebrates after scoring a touchdown in a game against Florida International University Aug. 31, 2024, at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington. Lawton finished with 74 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

Photo 3: An fan sporting a shirt that says "Cignetti" waves another shirt as they cheer during a game against Florida International University Aug. 31, 2024, at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington. The Hoosiers defeated the Panthers 31-7.

Photo 4: Seventh-year senior running back Ty Son Lawton celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Florida International University Aug. 31, 2024, at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington. The Hoosiers defeated the Panthers 31-7.

Photo 5: Indiana football fans hold their hands over their hearts during the national anthem Aug. 31, 2024, at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington. Fans in the student section were given t-shirts ahead of kickoff.

Photo 6: Indiana football head coach Curt Cignetti walks along the sideline during a game against Florida International University Aug. 31, 2024, at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington. Cignetti led the Hoosiers to their first win of the season.

Photo 7: Redshirt junior defensive lineman Mikail Kamara and senior defensive lineman Lanell Carr Jr. celebrate after a sack in a game against Florida International University Aug. 31, 2024, at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington. Carr finished the game with one sack.

Photo 8: Fifth-year senior running back Justice Ellison holds onto the ball as he hits the ground Aug. 31, 2024, at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington. Before transferring to Indiana, Ellinson played four years at Wake Forest University.

Photo 9: Redshirt senior quarterback Kurtis Rourke is tackled after getting rid of the ball Aug. 31, 2024, at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington. Prior to transferring to Indiana, Rourke played five seasons at Ohio University.

Photo 10: Redshirt senior quarterback Kurtis Rourke throws the ball to an open receiver in a game against Florida International University Aug. 31, 2024, at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington. Rourke finished the game with 180 yards passing and a touchdown.

Photo 11: Junior wide receiver Elijah Sarratt gets tackled in a game against Florida International University Aug. 31, 2024, at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington. Sarratt finished the game with two receptions and 12 yards.

Photo 12: The Indiana offense meets before lining up in its game against Florida International University on August 31, 2024, at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington. The Hoosiers defeated the Panthers 31-7.

Photo 13: Senior wide receivers Andison Coby and Miles Cross celebrate after completing a catch against Florida International University Aug. 31, 2024, at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington. The Hoosiers defeated Florida International University 31-7.

Photo 14: Redshirt freshman tight end Sam West runs down the field alongside redshirt sophomore linebacker Jeff Utzinger Aug. 31, 2024, at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington. West appeared in just two games a season ago.

Photo 15: Indiana University cheerleaders carry flags spelling "HOOSIERS" during a game against Florida International University Aug. 31, 2024, at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington. The Hoosiers outscored the Panthers in both halves of Saturday's game.