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    • IU Football beats Maryland to improve to 5-0 for the first time since 1967
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    IU Football beats Maryland to improve to 5-0 for the first time since 1967

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    BLOOMINGTON – Indiana football is heading into uncharted territory.

    The Hoosiers improved to 5-0 for the first time since 1967 (and the second time in program history) with a 42-28 victory over Maryland on Saturday at Memorial Stadium, as a rain-drenched crowd of more than 40,000 fans waited until the very end stayed. get it.

    Indiana never trailed, despite a shaky first-quarter performance from Kurtis Rourke. He bounced back big time after a pair of interceptions with 359 passing yards, two touchdowns and completions to 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 performance in Week 5:

    IU wide receiver Elijah Sarratt stands tall

    While all eyes on 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 over the goal line to give IU a 28-21 lead late in the third quarter. He also set up IU’s first of two fourth-quarter touchdowns with a 36-yard gain down the sideline.

    The 6-2, 209-pounder spent the offseason adding some bulk to his frame, and that work paid off. He was just more physical than anyone the Terps had covered for him.

    Indiana’s defensive front delivers a blow

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

    Indiana defensive tackle CJ West, making his second straight start, forced a three-and-out with a sack on Maryland’s opening drive. The Terps faced a 3rd and 20 on their next possession after James Carpenter came home with a sack.

    Mikail Kamara was a consistent presence in the backfield throughout the game and Lanell Carr Jr. was not far behind. He leveled Edwards twice immediately after releasing the ball.

    The pressure helped IU do just enough to slow down 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.

    IU Football’s offense is facing early adversity

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

    The Hoosiers came into the game having outscored opponents 202-37 while gaining 513.8 yards per game. They were one of only three FBS teams without a turnover, but that streak came to an end 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 these mistakes change its approach.

    Rourke made a series of throws that helped the Hoosiers take a 14-7 lead into halftime. Late in the first quarter, he converted a key third down with a completion to Kaelon Black in traffic that set up their first touchdown.

    The second quarter ended with Rourke marching IU down the field with less than 70 seconds on the clock. He threw three consecutive completions, including a perfectly placed shoulder toss 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 carries for 45 yards (2.3 yards per carry) – and Maryland’s defensive front came under constant pressure.

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

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