EVANSTON, Ill. – In an away game that saw Indiana fans pack Northwestern’s temporary lakeside venue, the Hoosiers earned a 41-24 road trip victory against Northwestern on Saturday to move to 6-0 and clinch a bowl game appearance for the first time since 2020.
The Hoosiers now sit atop the Big Ten after their victory over the Wildcats and are the first team in the conference to clinch a bowl appearance.
Although the score shows another dominant effort by Indiana, it certainly didn’t feel that way.
“Today, you know, we passed the test,” head coach Curt Cignetti said following the game on Saturday. “It was a new kind of test. On the road, and some real back-and-forth momentum and adversity, but we responded.”
Indiana had a response for nearly every punch the Wildcats threw their way, and it was apparent early. Northwestern kept it within a one-possession game in the first half, but Indiana’s halftime adjustments helped lead the Hoosiers to another outstanding offensive showing.
That’s not to say that Indiana didn’t have a productive first half. In fact, it was quite the opposite.
Kurtis Rourke was surgical throughout the first half for the Hoosiers, helping Indiana earn a 17-10 lead heading into the locker room. Rourke finished 14-18 for 196 yards in the half, highlighted by a toe-tapping grab by Miles Cross in the endzone. Rourke continued to look like a five-year veteran quarterback, adding another touchdown to his name, and finishing with an impressive stat line going 25-33 for 380 yards and three total touchdowns.
Once again, Indiana continues their streak of not trailing a game yet this season. In total, IU reached 529 total yards of offense with zero turnovers.
A key connection that is starting to take form is the tandem of Rourke and Elijah Sarrat. Sarratt finished his day with seven catches for 135 yards. Though it’s only the first season for the two as teammates, both know they are a tough combination to stop.
“I try to be where he wants me to be at the perfect time,” Sarratt said after the game on Saturday. “He’s putting the ball right where I want it. I can’t thank him enough.”
Sarratt led yet another explosion from Indiana’s wide receiver core on offense as Ke’Shawn Williams, Omar Cooper Jr., Miles Cross, and EJ Williams each hauled in a catch. EJ Williams was the more notable of the bunch as he caught a 37-yard pass from Rourke for his first of the season.
The Hoosiers also had plenty of success after the catch, accumulating 196 yards after completions. Ke’Shawn Williams had 53 of his own, highlighted by a monster gain after a crosser to set up an Indiana field goal.
“With a room that we have so deep, when you get the opportunity to get your hands on the ball, you want to do as much as you can with it,” Williams said on Saturday night. “When you get your chance, you just have to try and make the most out of everything.”
Indiana’s offensive line continued to impress as well, especially in the run game. Justice Ellison opened up the scoring with a five-yard score, making it a six-game touchdown streak. Ty Son Lawton also found the endzone late in the fourth quarter to help seal the victory. Indiana also protected Rourke well, holding Northwestern without a sack.
Although Indiana’s offense certainly had itself a game, Curt Cignetti was the first to admit the defense was not up to par.
“Probably wasn’t our best game defensively,” Cignetti said on Saturday. “Well, not even probably, it wasn’t. It started with us letting the quarterback out of the pocket on third down earlier in the game.”
Northwestern’s Jack Lausch did give Indiana some trouble with his legs, earning some key first-downs when flushed out of the pocket. Lausch only finished with 34 yards rushing, but Indiana’s two sacks skewed the numbers. Lausch also did a decent job as a passer, finishing 23-38 for 243 yards and two scores.
Some coverage issues seemed to creep in for Indiana, especially when they dropped into zone coverage. Still, even with a tougher showing, Indiana’s defense secured two key stops in the fourth quarter to help seal a bowl bid.
The Hoosiers have a bye next week, then return to Memorial Stadium to host Nebraska on Oct. 19 during homecoming weekend. Although Indiana is set to prepare for one of the biggest matchups in the program’s history, Cignetti isn’t ready to settle.
“We’re 6-0 as a football. I am proud of the team up to this point, which I’m not supposed to say. But, we can certainly improve a lot more, and we’re only halfway through the season.”
