Indiana capped off its regular season with an impressive 11-1 record, securing a dominant 66-0 victory over archrival Purdue on Saturday, thanks to a historic performance by quarterback Kurtis Rourke. The Hoosiers now await their College Football Playoff destiny.
The win over Purdue, which came in snowy conditions at Memorial Stadium, was a perfect conclusion to an exceptional season for Indiana. It marked their first Old Oaken Bucket win since 2019 and their first home win in the rivalry since 2016. The Hoosiers finished with a school-record 10 double-digit wins and scored 40 or more points in eight games, another school record.
First-year head coach Curt Cignetti expressed pride in the team’s performance, especially the defense, which stifled Purdue’s offense, holding them to just 67 total yards. The Hoosiers scored touchdowns on four of their first six possessions, building a commanding 28-0 lead at halftime.
Rourke was central to the victory, throwing for 349 yards and tying a school record with six touchdown passes. Elijah Sarratt was the top target, catching eight passes for 165 yards.
The win was particularly sweet for offensive lineman Mike Katic, who returned for his final season after a challenging stretch, and he expressed immense pride in the team’s turnaround under Cignetti’s leadership.
With an 8-1 Big Ten record, Indiana finished tied for second in the conference but lost a tiebreaker to Penn State. The Hoosiers now eagerly await the announcement of the 12-team College Football Playoff field. Cignetti remains confident that his team has earned a spot. “We’re not done yet,” he said.
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