Indiana football rolls past Charlotte, moves to 4-0 for first time since 2020

Indiana football’s unbeaten start to head coach Curt Cignetti’s tenure continued Saturday, as the Hoosiers (4-0) took a 52-14 victory over the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (1-3) inside Memorial Stadium. The 4-0 start is Indiana’s first since 2020. 

The Hoosiers stormed out of the gates, forcing a three-and-out on Charlotte’s first drive before seventh-year senior running back Ty Son Lawton marched into the endzone for an eight-yard score. Lawton’s touchdown capped a seven-play, 49-yard drive to begin the day for Indiana’s offense. 

Another stop by the Hoosiers’ defense followed by a 27-yard field goal from redshirt freshman kicker Nicolas Radicic gave Indiana an early 10-0 lead, which it held through the first quarter. 

Charlotte’s offense came to life in the second quarter, as redshirt junior quarterback Trexler Ivey led a pair of scoring drives, but Indiana responded each time. 

At halftime, the Hoosiers led 31-14. Sixth-year senior quarterback Kurtis Rourke was 11-of-15 for 180 yards with one touchdown through the air and another on the ground.  

Indiana scored on its opening possession of the second half, with Lawton scoring his second touchdown of the game on a five-yard rush. The Hoosiers’ defense forced a turnover on downs the ensuing Charlotte possession, and seven plays later, redshirt junior running back Kaelon Black found the endzone from 21 yards out to give Indiana a 45-14 lead. 

The Hoosiers added a 13-yard rushing touchdown from redshirt junior running back Elijah Green, extending their fourth quarter lead to 52-14, which stood over the final nine minutes. 

Rourke finished 16-of-20 for 258 yards and one touchdown, while Indiana rushed for 222 yards and six touchdowns on 41 carries. Redshirt senior Justice Ellison led all runners with nine attempts for 58 yards and a score. 

Indiana returns to action at noon Sept. 28 for a home matchup with Maryland (3-1) inside Memorial Stadium.