Indiana's Justice Ellison (6) celebrates a touchdown during the Indiana versus Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024. Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Watch: Indiana marches down field for opening-drive TD against Nebraska

By Eric Smithling | Last updated Oct 19, 2024 12:50 PM ET

Indiana showed why its perfect start to the 2024 college football season might not be an aberration with a touchdown on its opening drive against Nebraska.

The Hoosiers (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) are one of three remaining unbeaten teams in their conference alongside Oregon and Penn State.

Despite the impressive start, Indiana's been met with skepticism thanks to its soft schedule.

Per ESPN's Football Power Index, Indiana entered Week 8's game against Nebraska (5-1, 2-1 Big Ten) ranked 112th in strength of schedule (SOS).

The tougher competition didn't phase the Hoosiers on their opening drive. The offense marched down the field, going 75 yards in eight plays to take the early 7-0 lead.

Running back Justice Ellison had a 43-yard run on a 3rd-and-1, and quarterback Kurtis Rourke completed a nine-yard pass to wide receiver Miles Cross on a 4th-and-1 deep in Nebraska territory to keep the drive alive.

HUGE breakaway for the @IndianaFootball first down pic.twitter.com/RGO7wVwSTb
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 19, 2024

Directly following the fourth-down conversion, Ellison punctuated the drive with a five-yard touchdown run.

HOOS in the endzone?! @JusticeEllison1 TOUCHDOWN! @IndianaFootball getting things started early! pic.twitter.com/I4QsYDRss1
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 19, 2024

The score was the first rushing touchdown allowed by Nebraska this season.

The Cornhuskers entered Week 8 ranked seventh in the country in rush defense (84.2 yards allowed per game).

Indiana has averaged 47.5 points per game this season, the second-most in FBS. First-year head coach Curt Cignetti, hired after five seasons at James Madison, has already doubled the Hoosiers' win total from 2023 (three).

However, Indiana's first six opponents have a combined record of 14-23, and its five FBS opponents' average FPI rank is 91.2.

Indiana did what any good team should do against inferior competition. Facing their toughest opponent of the season so far in Week 8, the Hoosiers are showing their early-season success wasn't a byproduct of a favorable schedule.

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

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