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Curt Cignetti, Josh Hoover pull a 'Fernando' for Hoosiers in fourth-quarter vs. Nebraska

Indiana’s undefeated streak and national title defense remained intact after a late fourth-quarter rally against Nebraska, with quarterback Josh Hoover delivering two game-sealing touchdown passes in the final minutes. The Hoosiers trailed 17-13 with just over a minute left in the game before Hoover connected with Nick Marsh on a 75-yard strike, followed by a 44-yard play-action touchdown on the next drive to secure a 20-17 victory.

Indiana’s defense also played a key role, recording five sacks and eight tackles for loss, while coach Curt Cignetti’s strategic decisions—including punting instead of going for two points—proved decisive in the windy conditions at Memorial Stadium. The win keeps Indiana (6-0) on track for a Week 7 showdown with Ohio State, while Nebraska (5-1) extended its losing streak against ranked opponents to 31 games despite a strong first-half performance that included a 39-yard touchdown run by quarterback Anthony Colandrea.

Hoover’s clutch performance mirrored that of last season’s Heisman-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who delivered late-game heroics in Indiana’s title-winning campaign. Marsh’s six receptions for 187 yards provided the offensive spark, as the Hoosiers’ ground game managed just 22 carries for 65 yards.

Cignetti’s poise under pressure—including two early timeouts to manage the clock—highlighted his ability to navigate high-stakes road games, reinforcing Indiana’s reputation as a team that thrives in must-win scenarios.

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