Indiana Off to Fastest Start Since 1967
Photo Credit: Kal Graybill, The Hoosier Network
After finishing below .500 the last three years and dwelling at the bottom of the Big Ten, Indiana is undefeated through its first seven games in 2024. The #16 ranked Hoosiers manhandled a talented Nebraska team on Saturday, beating the Cornhuskers 56-7. Indiana’s football program has not seen this good of a start since 1967, when the Hoosiers started 8-0. Indiana fans are hoping this year’s team can put themselves in as good of a position as the 1967 team, who ended up playing in the Rose Bowl against USC.
Sixth-year quarterback Kurtis Rourke has been the catalyst for this team, transferring to Indiana this past offseason after spending five years at Ohio University. Rourke has thrown for 1,752 yards and 14 touchdowns over the first seven games, turning himself into a dark horse Heisman candidate. He has been a significant upgrade from Indiana’s quarterback play over the last few years, throwing for more yards in seven games than quarterback Brendan Sorsby did all last season. Indiana has not seen a quarterback like this since Michael Penix Jr. electrified Bloomington in his two years as a Hoosier. The running back room has also excelled this season, with Justice Ellison and Ty Son Lawton racking up over 60 carries each and combining for 13 touchdowns. The defense has meshed well with this Hoosier offense, giving opposing offenses a difficult time on third downs and getting the ball back to Kurtis Rourke. They forced five turnovers and held star quarterback Dylan Raiola and Nebraska to seven points on Saturday. Even with both sides of the ball clicking, Indiana will need to improve each week as they continue to move through the Big Ten gauntlet.
The only gripe people have had with this Indiana team is the strength of their schedule so far, as they have yet to play a ranked team. They will have a chance to respond in November though, with two straight games against Ohio State and Michigan. If Indiana can beat one of these two Big Ten powerhouses, the Hoosiers will be in position to punch a ticket to the Big Ten Championship Game in Indianapolis. And with Bloomington only an hour ride from Indianapolis, it would be a road game and a very difficult matchup for Indiana’s opponent.
