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    • 3 things we learned from IU football’s win over Maryland
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    3 things we learned from IU football’s win over Maryland

    Idris Bevan Posted on

    BLOOMINGTON – Indiana football is approaching uncharted territory.

    The Hoosiers improved to 5-0 for the first time since 1967 (and third time in program history) with a 42-28 victory over Maryland on Saturday at Memorial Stadium, as a rain-soaked crowd of over 40,000 fans stayed snarky until the end .

    Despite a shaky performance from Kurtis Rourke in the first quarter, Indiana never trailed. He bounced back significantly after throwing two interceptions for 359 yards, two touchdowns and completions on 10 different targets. He gave IU a two-possession lead when he hit Donaven McCulley for a 12-yard touchdown with 12:24 left in the game.

    Here are three observations from IU’s Week 5 performance:

    Indiana wide receiver Elijah Sarratt stands tall

    While all eyes at the game were on Maryland’s Tai Felton, one of the FBS’ leading receivers, Elijah Sarratt stole the spotlight down the stretch. He was unstoppable in the second half with four catches for 88 yards and a touchdown.

    Sarratt carried a defender across the goal line to give IU a 28-21 lead late in the third quarter. He also set up IU’s only touchdown in the fourth quarter, a 36-yard gain down the sideline.

    The 6-foot-2, 220-pound man spent the offseason adding some bulk to his frame, and that work paid off. He was simply more physical than anyone the Terps had to cover him.

    Indiana’s defensive front is tough

    Maryland gave up as many sacks in the first half (four) as it did in the first four games combined.

    Indiana defensive tackle CJ West, making his second straight start, forced a three-pointer with a sack on Maryland’s opening drive. The Terps faced a third-and-20 on their next possession after James Carpenter came home with a sack.

    Kamara was a constant presence in the backfield throughout the game and Lanell Carr Jr. wasn’t far behind. He equalized Edwards twice, right after he released the ball.

    The pressure helped IU just enough to slow Maryland’s offense. The Terps were 1 of 4 on third-and-long (nine yards or more) and their only conversion came on a penalty.

    Indiana football’s offense faces adversity early

    How would Indiana’s offense respond to adversity? Cignetti got his answer on Saturday.

    The Hoosiers entered the game having outscored their opponents 202-37 while averaging 513.8 yards per game. They were one of only three FBS teams without a turnover, but that streak ended against Maryland – Kurtis Rourke threw interceptions on IU’s first two possessions and Kaelon Black fumbled late in the first half.

    Indiana didn’t let those mistakes change its approach.

    Rourke made a series of shots that helped the Hoosiers take a 14-7 halftime lead. At the end of the first quarter, he converted a crucial third down with a completion to Kaelon Black in traffic that set up the first touchdown.

    The second quarter ended with Rourke marching IU down the field with less than 70 seconds on the clock. He scored three straight completions, including a perfectly placed back-shoulder throw to Omar Cooper Jr. for a 27-yard touchdown.

    Rourke’s success in the first half came as Indiana struggled to run the ball – 20 runs for 45 yards (2.3 yards per run) – and Maryland’s defensive front was under constant pressure.

    Michael Niziolek is the Indiana beat reporter for The Bloomington Herald-Times. You can follow him on X @michaelniziolek Click here to read all of his coverage.

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    Idris Bevan
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