Tag: Indiana Hoosiers

Updated Big Ten football standings after Week 8: Indiana and Oregon in first-place tie

Could we get an Oregon vs. Indiana Big Ten championship game? Updated Big Ten football standings after Week 8.

While Penn State was off this past week, the Nittany Lions remained one of three undefeated teams in Big Ten play this fall. But Penn State is now, technically, looking up in the updated Big Ten conference standings following the results of Week 8. Indiana and Oregon remained undefeated this season and improved to 4-0 in Big Ten play with blowout wins this weekend. Penn State will not face either team in the regular season, so watching what they do is critical if Penn State can continue to take care of its own schedule the rest of the way. Penn State is gearing up for a challenging three-game stretch beginning with this week’s road trip to Wisconsin.

Wisconsin is seemingly surging at a good time too with another dominant performance on the scoreboard against its opponent. Wisconsin has outscored its last three opponents by a combined score of 117-16 (Rutgers, Northwestern, and Purdue). Of course, the Badgers will also be facing their biggest challenge since playing Alabama and USC in back-to-back weeks in September.

Here is a look at the updated Big Ten football standings at the conclusion of Week 8.

B1G W B1G L W L
Indiana 4 0 7 0
Oregon 4 0 7 0
Penn State 3 0 6 0
Illinois 3 1 6 1
Wisconsin 3 1 5 2
Ohio State 2 1 5 1
Iowa 2 2 4 3
Washington 2 2 4 3
Michigan 2 2 4 3
Michigan State 2 2 4 3
Nebraska 2 2 5 2
Minnesota 2 2 4 3
Northwestern 1 3 3 4
Maryland 1 3 4 3
Rutgers 1 3 4 3
USC 1 4 3 4
UCLA 1 4 2 5
Purdue 0 4 1 6

Indiana, Oregon, Penn State, and Illinois are all officially bowl-eligible. No team in the Big Ten is ineligible for postseason play, but Purdue is now sitting on six losses this season, putting them on the brink of being the first Big Ten to be ruled ineligible for a bowl game this season.

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Huskers coach Matt Rhule caught off guard by loss

Matt Rhule did not expect his team to lose to Indiana.

Nebraska football head coach Matt Rhule was shocked by his team’s 56-7 loss to Indiana on Saturday. He admitted as much in his postgame press conference.

Indiana had their way with Nebraska on both sides of the football. The Hoosiers accumulated 495 yards of total offense and 215 yards on the ground. They averaged a staggering 7.9 yards per play and recorded 24 first downs in total. They were also able to maximize their drives, as they did not kick a field goal throughout the entire game.

Rhule indicated he did not see this type of game happening, as transcribed by the Lincoln Journal-Star’s Amie Just.

“I’ll be honest with you. I didn’t see this coming. I thought we were gonna play great.”

Nebraska will get no rest following this game as they prepare to take on a top-ten team in the Ohio State Buckeyes. Adjustments will have to be made between now and then, and things need to be fixed quickly in order to succeed.

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It’s time to include Indiana in the College Football Playoff conversation

The Indiana Hoosiers are 7-0 after another dominant, blowout victory in Week 8. How long will this continue?

It’s time to take the Indiana Hoosiers seriously.

The Hoosiers cruised to a 56-7 win at home against the Nebraska Cornhuskers in Week 8, all but setting the table for a top 15 appearance in at least the AP Top 25 poll.

Indiana is now 7-0 for the first time since 1967. That’s 57 years for those doing the quick math. Their season has been impressive to the point that College Gameday and former head coach Lee Corso are coming to town for their game against the Washington Huskies.

Their undefeated record through seven contests isn’t the only impressive stat coming out of Bloomington, Indiana:

  • 0 – Minutes trailing in a game this season
  • 6 – Games scoring at least 40 points
  • 35 – Average margin of victory as Indiana averages 49 points per game, and is allowing 14
  • 14 – Lowest margin of victory this season

A lot of the success starts with first year head coach Curt Cignetti. The former James Madison HC has had a flawless transition to the Big Ten. His use of the transfer portal has been crucial to the quick turnaround, led by QB Kurtis Rourke.

The former Ohio Bobcat has 1,752 passing yards, 14 passing touchdowns, two interceptions, and two more scores on the ground. He left their Week 8 win with a thumb injury and did not return, which is a concern now that he is out indefinitely, but is expected to be back this season. He is out for Week 9’s bout against the Huskies.

Two of those games are against ranked teams (Michigan Wolverines, for now, and the Ohio State Buckeyes) two on the road (OSU and Michigan State Spartans), and at least one will be set for national play on CBS, FS1, or FOX Sports.

What was a small relief was the play of backup QB Tayven Jackson. He finished 7-of-8 for 91 yards and two passing TDs. Cignetti had been happy more often than not with Jackson in practice, and it showed Saturday afternoon.

Oct 19, 2024; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Tayven Jackson (2) walks with Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Kurtis Rourke (9) after beating the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium.
Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images

There are three games before matchups against the Buckeyes or what’s left of the Wolverines, so it is paramount for Rourke to get healthy, and Cignetti to squeeze as much juice out of Jackson ahead of their home game against the Huskies on October 26th.

The Hoosiers cannot have a letdown against an annoying, if mediocre Husky defense, and need to stop QB Will Rogers.

Another hurdle for the team will be the pundits. The Hoosiers were TD favorites against a top 20 defense and blew them out, but it won’t slow naysayers from saying the Cornhuskers weren’t that good of a team.

Those in that boat are wrong, especially as the 40-point scoring streak has lasted well into conference play. If the Hoosiers can upset Ohio State in Columbus and not lose prior to that matchup, a CFP spot will be theirs.

Enough teams have put the Michigan defense in bad spots, and none of those offenses score at Indiana’s rate. Plus, that game is at home.

It’s been one of the best storylines in college football. Let’s hope the Hoosiers keep the offense, and win streak, going.

Curt Cignetti sent a message to Indiana’s doubters after hanging 56 on Nebraska and remaining undefeated

The Indiana offense demolished Nebraska’s highly touted defense

No. 16 Indiana absolutely routed an up-and-coming Nebraska team at home on Saturday, 56-7, to remain undefeated and Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti wasn’t ready to stop handing out Ls after the final whistle.

The first-year Indiana coach came into his postgame press conference ready to remind everyone how hyped Nebraska’s defense was coming into Week 8 and it’s hard to blame him.

“I know there was a national perception Nebraska had a pretty legit defense on a national scale,” Cignetti said per IndyStar‘s Zach Osterman. “So maybe this will open their eyes.”

That comment may feel like overkill, but in the 12-team College Football Playoff era, style points matter. Each team has to not only win, but prove on every single play it is one of the best dozen teams in the country just to have an opportunity to play for a national title.

Which is why it matters that Indiana put up 495 yards of offense (280 yards passing, 215 yards rushing) as much as it does that everyone remembers how much respect Nebraska’s defense had before Saturday.

Even more impressive is the fact Indiana scored 28 points in the second half without starting quarterback Kurtis Rourke, who injured his hand and was held out as a precaution.

The Hoosiers are sure to move up in the polls this week, but Week 9 is when their schedule really takes a turn. Up next they host Washington, then face Michigan State and Michigan in consecutive weeks. It only gets tougher after that as Indiana travels to Ohio State then gets Purdue in the regular season finale.

It’s not enough for Indiana to pass each test. It needs to turn each win into a statement.

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Indiana improves to 7-0 by destroying Nebraska

Indiana improved to 7-0 with a rout of Nebraska

Indiana is 7-0 for the first time since 1967. In other news, Nebraska football isn’t back.

The Hoosiers obliterated the Cornhuskers, 56-7, in Big Ten play on Saturday. They did it without starting quarterback Kurtis Rourke in the second half. Rourke injured his right hand and watched the rout in street clothes.

Indiana didn’t need him on this day. It was 28-7 at the break and Indiana added 14 points in each of the third and fourth quarters.

The 49-point margin of victory was the biggest in conference play since a 49-0 win at Minnesota in 1945. Of course, Nebraska wasn’t in the Big Ten in 1945.

Indiana still has Washington, Michigan and Ohio State on its schedule. However, the Hoosiers can equal their eight-win total in 2015 against the Huskies in their next game.

The last time Indiana won nine games in a single season was 1967.

 

 

Huskers hit rock bottom with 56-7 loss to No. 16 Indiana

Next Saturday, Nebraska will head to Columbus to face the No. 4 Ohio State Buckeyes.

The Nebraska Cornhuskers returned from their bye week with a road trip to face the No. 16 Indiana Hoosiers. However, the Huskers’ struggles heading into the bye week appeared to have been amplified as Indiana leveled them in a 56-7 blowout.

The Hoosiers dominated from start to finish, scoring on eight of their 11 drives. This translated to Indiana racking up nearly 500 total yards on offense, including 280 in the air and 215 on the ground.

On the other hand, Nebraska only mustered 304 total yards with one touchdown. Dylan Raiola threw 28 completions off 44 pass attempts for three interceptions. The run game was non-existent, as the Huskers produced just 70 yards and a touchdown on the afternoon.

Nebraska’s defense fared no better. Indiana’s Kurtis Rourke threw 17-of-21 for 189 yards and a touchdown, while backup Tayven Jackson threw 7-of-8 for 91 yards and two touchdowns.

On the ground, the Huskers surrendered the most rushing yards in a game all season. Indiana ran the ball 33 times for 215 yards and five touchdowns.

This marks Nebraska’s biggest loss since 2016, when it was blown out by Ohio State 62-3. The Huskers fall to 5-2 on the season and 2-2 in the conference.

Nebraska’s road doesn’t get easier. Next Saturday, the Huskers will head to Columbus to face the No. 4 Ohio State Buckeyes. Kickoff is set for 11:00 a.m. CT on FOX.

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Kurtis Rourke continues to improve his draft stock with unbeaten Indiana

Kurtis Rourke continues to improve his 2025 NFL Draft stock with unbeaten Indiana

The Indiana Hoosiers keep on winning, and quarterback Kurtis Rourke keeps on boosting his 2025 NFL Draft stock with each win.

Indiana ripped apart visiting Nebraska on Saturday, thanks in part to a near-perfect first half of football from Rourke. A transfer from Ohio, where he was a three-year starter for the Bobcats, Rourke keeps on playing like he should be much more prominent in the draft discussion.

His accuracy, feathery touch, quick-release zip, excellent pocket awareness and opportunistic running were all on display against Nebraska–just as they were in Hoosier wins over UCLA, Northwestern and every other team Indiana has played. Against the Cornhuskers, Rourke completed 17 of his 21 passes for 189 yards and a touchdown before leaving the game at halftime after hitting his throwing thumb on a Nebraska defender late in the half.

Rourke has prototypical NFL size at 6-foot-5 and 223 pounds. His head coach, Curt Cignetti, compared him to Philip Rivers in terms of his unflappable presence and competitiveness. Rourke is a significantly higher-end and more NFL-ready QB prospect than his older brother, Nathan, who had reserve runs before heading to the CFL.

It could be that NFL pundits are a little gunshy on Rourke because of that CFL connection. Rourke is Canadian and is likely to be the top pick in the CFL draft. His brother Nathan is a star for the B.C. Lions, and it seems like many expect Nathan’s unsavory experience in the NFL to send Kurtis, who turns 24 this month, back to his homeland to play, too. That would be a disservice to the bigger, more talented young brother.

His multitude of strong game film, experience and physical talent make Rourke a viable Day 2 prospect at this point. It’s the improved decision-making and easy chemistry he’s shown with a brand-new supporting cast at his new school that have really helped, aside from the winning and the athletic potential.

Expert score prediction: Nebraska vs. Indiana

Who will win on Saturday?

Nebraska and No. 16 Indiana are fresh off a bye week and will clash in Bloomington on Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff on Saturday. 

Though the Hoosiers have been on fire through their first half of the season, it remains to be seen if they can continue their streak. Indiana has dealt with FIU, Western Illinois, UCLA, Charlotte, Maryland, and Northwestern, teams that have been struggling mightily this season. 

Now, they face a Nebraska team looking to earn that ever-elusive sixth win. But the Huskers also seek to get a complete game under their belt. Multiple times this season the offense stalled out, whether due to penalties, bad throws, bad runs or missed field goals. 

In their last two outings, the Hoosiers entered the fourth quarter with opponents right behind them on the scoreboard. 

Northwestern scored 24 points against Indiana, their second-highest scoring game at the time, behind a 31-7 win over Eastern Illinois. Maryland dropped 28 on the Hoosiers before getting blown out by Northwestern following its bye week. 

Maryland and Northwestern have struggled offensively this season, so Indiana allowing both teams to score over 20 points is something Nebraska’s offense can take advantage of. 

But offensively, Indiana is currently further along than Nebraska on the ground and in the air. Plus, they’re a team that keeps its foot on the gas from start to finish, as shown by their current average of 47.5 points per game. 

The Blackshirts have been strong against the run game all season. However, the passing game is a different story. Nebraska has surrendered every touchdown through the air this season.

In Big Ten play, the Huskers allow nearly 192 passing yards and two passing touchdowns per game. Now they face Indiana’s Kurtis Rourke, who averages almost 300 passing yards and over two touchdowns per game this season. 

If Nebraska wants to stand a chance against Indiana, the defense needs to shut down the pass, and Nebraska’s offense needs to push the Hoosiers’ defense to its limits. 

But with where Nebraska currently stands, it’s hard to see the Huskers pulling this upset off. 

Score Prediction: Indiana 34, Nebraska 31

Upset of Ole Miss helps Penn State move up in Week 5 US LBM Coaches Poll

Penn State capitalized on an upset loss in the top 10 in this week’s US LBM Coaches Poll.

Penn State took care of things on their home field on Saturday night with a victory over Illinois with a 21-7 win. But it was a loss by a team ranked ahead of them in the polls that led to the Nittany Lions managing to move up a spot in this week’s US LBM Coaches Poll. There is also a new no. 1 team in the nation after a wild ending to an SEC heavyweight fight Saturday night in Tuscaloosa.

Penn State moved up one spot this week by jumping from no. 8 last week to no. 7 in this week’s poll. The Nittany Lions benefitted from an upset loss by Ole Miss, who fell from no. 5 down to no. 11 after losing at home to Kentucky. Other teams moving up a spot as Ole Miss stumbled included no. 6 Oregon, no. 8 Miami, no. 9 Missouri (up two spots), and no. 10 Michigan (up two spots).

There is also a new team sitting on top of the US LBM Coaches Poll. The Texas Longhorns have taken over the top spot following a comfortable home win against Mississippi State and Georgia’s comeback effort ultimately cracking at Alabama in wild fashion last night. Georgia fell four spots in the coaches poll from no. 1 down to no. 5. Texas received 29 first-place votes and Alabama, now ranked no. 2 after moving up two spots, received 19 first-place votes.

Ohio State remained at no. 3 amid the reshuffling of the top-ranked SEC programs around them, but the Buckeyes did receive the seven remaining first-place votes in this week’s poll.

Penn State handing Illinois its first loss did not drop the Illini out of the top 25 this week. Illinois rounded out this week’s top 25 with the no. 25 ranking. Indiana also jumps into the coaches poll this week with the no. 24 ranking with a 5-0 record. With Indiana moving in and Illinois hanging on to a top 25 ranking, the Big Ten has seven teams ranked in this week’s coaches poll (USC is no. 15).

Here is the full US LBM Coaches Poll following Week 5.

Ranking Team Record Points
1 Texas Longhorns 5-0 1,339 (29)
2 Alabama Crimson Tide 4-0 1,330 (19)
3 Ohio State Buckeyes 4-0 1,281 (7)
4 Tennessee Vols 4-0 1,163
5 Georgia Bulldogs 3-1 1,153
6 Oregon Ducks 4-0 1,090
7 Penn State Nittany Lions 4-0 1,062
8 Miami Hurricanes 5-0 981
9 Missouri Tigers 4-0 948
10 Michigan Wolverines 4-1 792
11 Ole Miss Rebels 4-1 743
12 LSU Tigers 4-1 725
13 Notre Dame Fighting Irish 4-1 702
14 Clemson Tigers 3-1 671
15 USC Trojans 3-1 660
16 Iowa State Cyclones 4-0 500
17 Oklahoma Sooners 4-1 470
18 Utah Utes 4-1 408
19 BYU Cougars 5-0 375
20 Kansas State Wildcats 4-1 242
21 Texas A&M Aggies 4-1 198
22 Louisville Cardinals 3-1 197
23 UNLV Rebels 4-0 180
24 Indiana Hoosiers 5-0 143
25 Illinois Fighting Illini 4-1 122

Penn State will be home next weekend to face UCLA. The Bruins are coming off a home loss to Oregon and have lost both of their first two Big Ten games at home this season. This will be UCLA’s first road game in Big Ten play. The Nittany Lions will host the Bruins for a noon Eastern kickoff and will host Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff pregame show.

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Big Ten Week 5 Recap: All final scores and updated standings

Here is a look at everything that happened in the Big Ten in Week 5 and the updated conference standings.

For the first time this season, we had a Big Ten football schedule that stretched from Friday night on the East Coast to the late night hours on the West Coast. While not every Big Ten team was in action this week, there was enough to keep us entertained with a trophy game in Michigan, an unofficial whiteout game in Happy Valley, and Oregon and UCLA giving us some Big Ten After Dark.

Here is a look at everything that went down around the Big Ten in Week 5, including a look at the updated Big Ten standings as we head into October.

Washignton played its first road game in the Big Ten and had to fly all the way across the country to New Jersey to do so. It was a long flight back after coming up short against the Scarlet Knights on Friday night.

Kyle Monangai rushed for 132 yards and a touchdown to help Rutgers hold off the Huskies, who dropped its second game of the season already. Washington had a chance to force overtime but a 55-yard field goal attempt by Grady Gross went wide left as time expired.

Washington outgained Rutgers 521-299, Washignton quarterback Will Rogers passed for 306 yards and two touchdowns and Jonah Coleman rushed for 148 yards. But the Huskies had three missed field goals and were just 2-for-12 on third-down attempts.

Next up for Washington: vs. Michigan

Next up for Rutgers: at Nebraska

This was a game about missed opportunities by Maryland. The Terrapins forced four Indiana turnovers but could not score any points off those free possessions. Indiana forced Maryland to punt three times following a turnover by the offense and Maryland was stopped on a turnover on downs following a fourth turnover. The Hoosiers offense more than made up for the rare miscues this season by racking up over 500 yards of offense led by 359 passing yards and three touchdowns from quarterback Kurtis Rourke.

Indiana is off to its first 5-0 start since 1967 and the Hoosiers are already one win shy of bowl eligibility before even getting into October. Not a bad start for new head coach Curt Cignetti in Bloomington.

Next up for Maryland: vs. Northwestern (Week 7)

Next up for Indiana: at Northwestern

Michigan may have retained possession of the Little Brown Jug once again, but the visiting Minnesota Golden Gophers made them work for it. Minnesota put together a furious fourth-quarter rally that ultimately fell short after closing the gap to a three-point margin with 1:37 remaining. Minnesota recovered an onside kick but was flagged for an offsides call on the attempt, and Michigan recovered the second onside kick attempt to put the game on ice.

Kalel Mullings led Michigan with 111 rushing yards and two touchdowns, putting together his third consecutive 100-yard rushing game for Michigan. The Michigan defense held Minnesota to just 38 rushing yards as a team, and limited Darius Taylor to just 36 yards (Taylor did score two touchdowns and catch 10 passes for 52 receiving yards).

The Michigan passing game continues to lack much punch with Alex Orgi completing 10 of 18 passes for 86 yards, but the Wolverines appear comfortable working around their apparent shortcomings for now.

Next up for Minnesota: vs. USC

Next up for Michigan: at Washington

It took a while for anything to happen on the scoreboard in this one, but Nebraska did its part to make up for a slow start. After a scoreless first half by both teams, Nebraska put the first touchdown on the board in the third quarter to take a 7-3 lead and then pulled away in the fourth quarter with three touchdowns for a good road victory for the Cornhuskers.

Dylan Raiola passed for 244 yards and a touchdown but the Huskers were just 1-of-8 on third down conversion attempts. Nebraska’s defense did handle Purdue well by allowing just 224 yards of offense and holding the Boilermakers out of the end zone until the final minute and a half of regulation. It was a defensive touchdown, a 29-yard interception return by John Bullock, that helped put the game firmly out of reach in the fourth quarter.

Next up for Nebraska: vs. Rutgers

Next up for Purdue: at Wisconsin

USC quarterback Miller Moss passed for 308 yards and three touchdowns as USC shut down the visiting Wisconsin Badgers in the second half. USC trailed Wisconsin at halftime 21-10 but weren’t on a 28-0 run in the second half to run away for their first Big Ten conference victory in program history.

This was a bit of a sloppy game for much of the afternoon with five combined turnovers (USC with three, Wisconsin with two), and 14 penalties for over 100 yards of penalty yardage fairly evenly split between the two teams.

Next up for Wisconsin: vs. Purdue

Next up for USC: at Minnesota

Penn State and Illinois traded touchdown drives to start the game, but then the defenses for each took over. The Illini would not manage to score any more points in the game, so Penn State had to gain control with the running game to get the win. Fortunately for Penn State, the combination of Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen helped grind out a win with 221 total yards of offense combined between the two, and some good work from tight end Tyler Warren out of the wildcat formations, the offense was too much to slow down for the Illini.

Penn State’s defense also forced a couple of turnovers and sacked Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer seven times. This was not an officially sanctioned whiteout game for Penn State, but the fans turned the night game into one anyway.

Next up for Illinois: vs. Purdue (Week 7)

Next up for Penn State: vs. UCLA

Ohio State’s first game away from home was not expected to be a massive challenge for the Buckeyes, and perhaps it wasn’t. The Buckeyes got off to a somewhat slow start with a 3-0 lead after the first quarter but put together three touchdowns in the second quarter and never had a reason to look back against Michigan State.

Will Howard passed for 244 yards, and the combo of Emeka Egbuka and Jeremiah Smith combined for 12 catches and 179 receiving yards with a touchdown each. the defense locked in on the Spartans’ running game and held Nate Carter to just 27 yards on six carries.

Michigan State had their opportunities though. But Michigan State had three turnovers inside the red zone in the first half, suggesting a team can move on the Buckeyes but still has to find a way to finish. Micigan State was unable to do so and paid the price.

Next up for Ohio State: vs. Iowa

Next up for Michigan State: at Oregon

Orgeon wide receiver Tez Johnson caught 11 passes for 121 yards and two touchdowns as the Ducks enjoyed a big win at UCLA to wrap up the Big Ten schedule in Week 5. Dillon Gabriel completed 30-of-39 pass attempts for 268 yards and had three touchdowns, including the two to Johnson, and his one interception was returned for a touchdown by former Oregon player Bryan Addison.

After a shaky start to the season, it appears as though Oregon has found its groove and is beginning to live up to some of the preseason hype. They’ll return home next week for their first Big Ten game in Autzen Stadium. Meanwhile, UCLA will make its first cross-country trip in Big Ten play for an early kickoff next Saturday in Happy Valley.

Next up for Oregon: vs. Michigan State

Next up for UCLA: at Penn State

B1G WB1G LWL
Indiana2050
Michigan2041
Ohio State1040
Oregon1040
Penn State1040
Rutgers1040
Iowa1031
Illinois1141
Nebraska1141
USC1131
Michigan State1132
Washington1132
Northwestern0122
Wisconsin0122
Purdue0113
Maryland0232
Minnesota0223
UCLA0213