LINCOLN, Neb. — Despite trailing for the first time this season, No. 7 Indiana football escapes with a 20-17 victory over Nebraska to remain undefeated on the season.
After receiving the ball first, Nebraska began with a 13-play, 66-yard drive. Senior quarterback Anthony Colandrea’s four completions and 28 rushing yards led Nebraska to the Indiana 9-yard line before the Cornhuskers converted a 28-yard field goal.
Trailing for the first time this season, Indiana’s offense took the field. On the Hoosiers’ second play from scrimmage, redshirt senior quarterback Josh Hoover fired a pass to junior wide receiver Charlie Becker for a 43-yard completion. But Indiana’s offense stalled in Nebraska territory. Senior kicker Nico Radicic then made a 42-yard field goal to tie the game at 3-3.
Nebraska’s offense continued to apply pressure on its ensuing drive. Colandrea hit senior wide receiver Nyziah Hunter for a 24-yard completion on third-and-12. Three plays later, Hunter took a reverse handoff 10 yards into the endzone to give Nebraska a 10-3 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The two teams traded punts, and looking to extend its seven-point lead heading into halftime, Nebraska strung together a 16-play series. However, the Cornhuskers entered the halftime locker room empty-handed following a missed 40-yard field goal, still leading Indiana 10-3.
With possession to begin the third quarter, Hoover completed four passes for 38 yards and added a 10-yard scramble to move the Hoosiers into the red zone. But Indiana settled for its second field goal, this time from 35 yards.
Indiana’s defense continued to struggle to get off the field. Facing a fourth-and-2 in Indiana territory, Colandrea kept the ball for an eight-yard rush. The Hoosiers then sacked Colandrea two plays later and intercepted the quarterback on third down.
Three consecutive punts followed as both defenses remained steady.
Then Nebraska broke through for its second touchdown of the contest. Colandrea found a hole on a quarterback keeper and shook freshman linebacker Jacob Savage en route to a 39-yard rushing touchdown.
Indiana dug itself into an 11-point hole and recovered immediately. On the first play of their next series, Hoover hit a crossing Marsh over the middle, and the receiver outran the Nebraska secondary for a 75-yard touchdown.
Following the score, Indiana notched a defensive stop and an opportunity to take the lead. Once again, Hoover connected with Marsh in a big spot. On fourth-and-1 from the Nebraska 44-yard line, the Cornhuskers played the run, and Marsh streaked wide open for a 44-yard touchdown. The Hoosiers led 20-17 with just over seven minutes remaining.
Trailing for the first time Saturday, Nebraska went for it on fourth down with under five minutes to play. But the Hoosiers forced a turnover on downs to regain possession.
Indiana couldn’t build its lead and punted the ball back.
Starting at its own five-yard line with under four minutes remaining, Colandrea completed a series of passes to move Nebraska 40 yards downfield. Consecutive incompletions brought another fourth down. Indiana fifth-year defensive lineman Tobi Osunsanmi provided the Hoosiers with a sack.
Indiana couldn’t run out the clock, as redshirt senior running back Lee Beebe Jr. was stymied on three straight carries.
Nebraska had just 13 seconds to close its three-point deficit, but Indiana closed out the victory.
Indiana will return home to Memorial Stadium in Bloomington for its highly-anticipated matchup against Ohio State on Oct. 17.
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.
