Photo via Yahoo Sports

Indiana football grades from surviving Nebraska's upset bid, 22nd straight win

Indiana football extended its record-breaking win streak to 22 games with a hard-fought 20–17 victory over Nebraska in Lincoln, overcoming an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit. The Hoosiers, ranked fifth nationally, relied heavily on quarterback Josh Hoover’s scrambling and clutch passing from receivers Nick Marsh and TJ Becker to turn the game around after a sluggish first half.

Indiana’s ground game, which had been a key offensive weapon, stalled early with running backs Turbo Richard and Lee Beebe Jr. combining for just 12 yards in the opening frame, forcing Hoover to shoulder more responsibility in both passing and rushing roles.

Marsh, in particular, emerged as the offensive bright spot, hauling in two long touchdown passes—including a 75-yard game-changer—to finish with over 100 receiving yards for the second week in a row, while Hoover completed fewer than 60% of his passes for the first time this season.

Defensively, Indiana struggled to contain Nebraska’s third-down efficiency and quarterback Anthony Colandrea, who capitalized on a 39-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to extend his team’s lead. The Hoosiers’ defense allowed eight of Nebraska’s first 11 third-down attempts to succeed, the most conversions they’ve surrendered in a game under head coach Curt Cignetti, while also permitting a season-long rushing gain of 30-plus yards.

Special teams showed improvement, however, as kicker Nico Radicic followed up a shaky start by making key field goals, helping Indiana secure its narrow but crucial win in Big Ten play.

Up nextCollege Football· 10m ago

Josh Hoover gets his Fernando Mendoza moment as Indiana escapes Nebraska's upset bid