LINCOLN, Neb. — Indiana football remained poised in its toughest moments last season. Despite a historic undefeated year, there was consistent adversity on the road.
It took Fernando Mendoza’s 49-yard connection with Elijah Sarratt within the final two minutes to defeat Iowa in Kinnick Stadium last September.
Indiana would have lost to Penn State last November if it weren’t for Mendoza’s touchdown throw and a miraculous catch by Omar Cooper Jr., who toe-tapped in the back of the endzone with just over 30 seconds remaining.
One constant remained in these memorable moments of the Hoosiers’ national championship run — an ability to stay composed.
Indiana faced another rambunctious road environment at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, which recorded its 415th consecutive sellout Saturday — the largest streak in college football history. But the Hoosiers’ composure down the stretch was why it defeated Nebraska 20-17.
The Hoosiers entered halftime in unfamiliar territory. They trailed for the first time this season.
Postgame, head coach Curt Cignetti said he wanted to “look them all in the eye” at the break.
“He usually tells us to stand up.” fifth year defensive lineman Stephen Daley said postgame. “He told us to take a knee.”
Nebraska ran 43 plays in the opening two quarters; Indiana had just 16. The Cornhuskers outgained the Hoosiers 216-115 in the first half, while also dominating with over 22 minutes of total possession.
“I think the biggest thing is we just settled down,” Cignetti said postgame. “We got them settled down at halftime. And took a deep breath.”
Indiana, which had a 329-yard rushing performance against Rutgers last weekend, struggled to run the ball against the Cornhuskers in the first half. Nebraska’s stout defensive front surrendered just 12 rushing yards to open the game.
“You know, this is our first time trailing and first time being down at halftime,” junior wide receiver Nick Marsh said. “And he (Cignetti) wanted to see how everybody composure was, what type of team we had.”
After its first half offensive struggles, and Cignetti’s halftime message, Indiana strung together a 10-play, 58-yard drive, which ended in a field goal. Redshirt senior quarterback Josh Hoover, who was 5-of-9 passing through two quarters, completed his first three attempts of the second half.
But Indiana’s offense returned to its first half form. With Nebraska less than two quarters away from upsetting the No. 7 team in the country, its fanbase was energized with clumps of scarlet and cream projecting noise. The Hoosiers punted on two straight possessions.
“It was tough at times,” Hoover said about the away crowd. “They were loud, gotta give Nebraska credit and their fans — they made it a tough environment.”
Entering the fourth quarter, Indiana still trailed 10-6. Nebraska senior quarterback Anthony Colandrea made a play with his legs, weaving his way through the Hoosier defense for a 39-yard touchdown run.
Fireworks lit the sky above the big screen on the north end of Memorial Stadium. Nebraska, now holding an 11-point lead, was close to remaining unbeaten. Meanwhile, Indiana’s 21-game win streak was in jeopardy.
Facing an unexpected deficit, the spirits along the Indiana sideline remained positive.
“The talk on the sideline was just belief,” Marsh said. “You know that was one of the biggest things we talked about. And I was just going up to guys like, ‘we gotta believe, we gotta believe.’”
With the home crowd still buzzing when Indiana’s offense took the field after Colandrea’s rushing score, the Hoosiers looked to their signal-caller for a response.
“Never once did I ever feel any kind of panic, like on the sideline, the locker room, at all,” Hoover said.
On Indiana’s first play down 17-6, Hoover dropped back. He stood in the pocket confidently and delivered a strike over the middle to Marsh. The receiver reeled in the catch between two defenders and outran the Cornhuskers’ secondary 75 yards for a touchdown.
Hoover had another chance to showcase his poise in the fourth quarter, facing a fourth-and-one from Nebraska’s 44-yard line.
The Hoosiers went for it. Expecting a run, Nebraska stacked the box. But Hoover pulled the ball on a play action fake and connected with a wide-open Marsh for a 44-yard touchdown.
Hoover’s two fourth quarter touchdown passes would be the final scoring play’s of the game. Like Fernando Mendoza throughout his 2025 Heisman Trophy campaign, Hoover wasn’t phased in big moments against Nebraska.
“And when number one option wasn’t open, he had great poise, presence, calm and delivered a strike,” Cignetti said.
Follow reporters Conor Banks (@Conorbanks06 and conbanks@iu.edu) and Nathan Shriberg (@NShriberg and naashri@iu.edu) and columnist Elakai Anela (@elakai_anela and eanela@iu.edu) for updates throughout the Indiana football season.
