Indiana Hoosiers Rally to Defeat Nebraska, Extend Winning Streak
The longest active winning streak in college football continues as the No. 7 Indiana Hoosiers edged out the Nebraska Cornhuskers 20-17 in a nail-biting contest at Memorial Stadium. Indiana, the defending national champions, faced a significant challenge as they trailed by 11 points in the fourth quarter, but a late-game surge secured their victory and preserved their remarkable streak.
Josh Hoover, Indiana's quarterback, played a crucial role in the comeback, completing 12 of 22 passes for 263 yards and two touchdowns. His connection with wide receiver Nick Marsh proved to be a game-changer, as they linked up for two pivotal touchdowns, including a 75-yard strike that ignited Indiana's rally.
The Hoosiers had not trailed in a game since the 2025 Big Ten Championship against Ohio State, marking eight consecutive games without a deficit. This game, however, tested their resolve as Nebraska started strong, taking an early lead with a 28-yard field goal by Kyle Cunanan, followed by a touchdown from Nyziah Hunter on a 10-yard end-around, putting the Cornhuskers ahead 10-3.
Indiana struggled offensively in the first half, managing only three points from a 42-yard field goal by Nico Radicic. The Hoosiers ran just 17 plays and accumulated 115 yards of total offense before halftime. In contrast, Nebraska dominated possession, holding the ball for over 22 minutes in the first half and capitalizing on their opportunities.
Shifting momentum in the second half
After halftime, Indiana attempted to regain momentum, but they were forced to settle for another field goal, narrowing the score to 10-6. The game turned into a battle of field position, with both defenses making critical stops. Nebraska's Anthony Colandrea extended the lead to 17-6 with a 39-yard touchdown run, showcasing his ability to evade pressure and capitalize on a read-option play.
Just when it seemed Nebraska would take control, Hoover connected with Marsh for a 75-yard touchdown on the very next play, cutting the deficit to 17-13 and silencing the Nebraska crowd. The momentum shifted dramatically, and Indiana seized the opportunity to take the lead on a fourth-and-1 play, where Hoover found Marsh again for a 44-yard touchdown, making it 20-17.
When the Noise Dies Down
With under five minutes remaining, Nebraska attempted to mount a comeback but failed on a crucial fourth-and-9 from their own 44-yard line. Indiana's defense held firm, forcing another turnover on downs after a sack of Colandrea, sealing the victory for the Hoosiers.
This win marks Indiana's 27th consecutive victory against unranked opponents, with their last loss to an unranked team dating back to November 25, 2023. Head coach Curt Cignetti improved his record to 33-2, further solidifying his reputation as a top-tier coach in college football. Indiana will look to build on this momentum as they prepare for a challenging matchup against No. 5 Ohio State next week, while Nebraska, now 5-1, aims to bounce back against No. 13 Oregon.
