LINCOLN, Neb. — Indiana survived a stiff fourth-quarter test on Saturday, rallying from an 11-point deficit to defeat Nebraska 20-17 and stretch its winning streak to 22 games.
Nebraska carried a 17-6 lead into the final period after quarterback Anthony Colandrea scored on a 39-yard scramble with 12:01 remaining. The Hoosiers responded immediately when quarterback Josh Hoover found wide receiver Nick Marsh on a 75-yard scoring pass, according to ESPN. Minutes later, facing fourth-and-1 at the Nebraska 44-yard line, Hoover connected with an open Marsh again for the go-ahead 44-yard score.
Ranked No. 5 by the Indianapolis Star and No. 7 by ESPN, the defending national champion Hoosiers improved to 6-0 overall and 3-0 in Big Ten play, while Nebraska fell to 5-1 and 2-1 in the conference.
Stifled Ground Attack and Early Struggles
Nebraska controlled the clock and limited Indiana’s explosive offense during the first half, keeping the Hoosiers to three points and just 7 minutes, 41 seconds of possession time, the Indianapolis Star reported. Indiana running backs Turbo Richard and Lee Beebe Jr. were held in check, combining for 12 yards before halftime and finishing with 41 rushing yards on 17 carries, according to ESPN.
The Cornhuskers converted 8 of 11 third downs in the opening two quarters, matching the most third-down conversions Indiana’s defense had permitted in a single game under head coach Curt Cignetti, the Indianapolis Star noted. Nebraska entered the break with a 10-3 advantage behind long possessions in windy conditions that included gusts reaching 35 mph, SB Nation reported.
Kicker Nico Radicic helped keep Indiana within reach by making both of his field-goal attempts from 35 and 42 yards, the Indianapolis Star reported.
Transfer Duo Delivers Late Comeback
Hoover completed 12 passes for 263 yards and two touchdowns without throwing an interception, extending his turnover-free run to six games this fall, according to ESPN. Marsh, a transfer from Michigan State, hauled in six passes for 187 yards, leading all receivers.
On the decisive fourth-down play with just over seven minutes remaining, Indiana lined up quickly in a bunched receiver set before the Cornhuskers could adjust. Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule later said he should have used a timeout because his defense misidentified Indiana’s personnel package, Yahoo Sports reported.
Cignetti told reporters after the contest that he had adapted the design years ago from one used by Kansas head coach Lance Leipold. "Kansas made that one famous with the guy who’s starting quarterback for Tampa," Cignetti said, as quoted by Yahoo Sports. "That guy is a good coach. Stole that one about 5-6 years ago."
Indiana’s defense, on the field for 83 snaps, halted Nebraska on fourth down twice in the closing minutes to secure the victory, ESPN reported. The loss marked Nebraska’s 31st straight defeat against ranked opponents dating back to September 2016, according to Yahoo Sports.
What Comes Next
The Hoosiers now look ahead to an undefeated showdown against Ohio State next week, where Indiana can match the Buckeyes for the longest conference winning streak in Big Ten history, Yahoo Sports reported. Nebraska will try to rebound on the road against Oregon.
