Indiana soccer is 9-0 for the primary time in program historical past, emphatically, a 47-10 win at Michigan State welcoming the return of beginning quarterback Kurtis Rourke and pushing the Hoosiers nearer to Faculty Soccer Playoff lock standing.
Rourke missed final week’s win over Washington with a proper (throwing) thumb damage that he suffered per week earlier in a rout of Nebraska. He began gradual in opposition to the Spartans however didn’t take lengthy to carve them up with the poise and accuracy that ought to have him within the Heisman Trophy race — and positively has first-year coach Curt Cignetti in nationwide coach of the 12 months conversations. Rourke completed 19 of 29 for 263 yards and 4 touchdowns.
The Hoosiers (9-0, 6-0) really trailed for the primary time all season, recognizing Jonathan Smith’s Spartans (4-5, 2-4) the sport’s first 10 factors. It was pure dominance from there, together with seven Indiana sacks, 2 ½ from one other awards candidate, Mikail Kamara. MSU had 205 yards of whole offense and three.2 yards per play.
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This season has been chasing the best Indiana season on file, authored by coach John Pont’s 1967 workforce, which received the Huge Ten, bought to this system’s lone Rose Bowl and completed 9-2. The 1945 Hoosiers coached by Bo McMillin additionally received 9 video games, tying their second sport and ending 9-0-1, 5-0-1 within the Western Convention (the Huge Ten’s earlier title).
The 2024 Hoosiers now personal the most effective begin ever. If they’ll deal with downtrodden defending nationwide champion Michigan subsequent week at dwelling, they’ll be the primary Indiana workforce with double figures in victories.
And if Michigan’s try to upset Indiana is denied, all that’s left for Indiana is a visit to Ohio State and a house sport in opposition to the worst workforce within the Huge Ten, rival Purdue.
The Hoosiers could possibly be enjoying the Buckeyes for a spot within the Huge Ten Championship Recreation reverse No. 1 Oregon, and a loss in Columbus is unlikely to maintain them from a spot within the first 12-team Faculty Soccer Playoff. So long as they deal with the enterprise they need to deal with. In keeping with The Athletic’s projections, the Hoosiers now have an 87 p.c likelihood to make the sector.
And that’s as a lot as commentary on the wackiness of this season — a season that has seen Vanderbilt beat Alabama and get bowl eligible in 9 video games, Military and Navy each get into the highest 25 and Pittsburgh begin 7-0 for the primary time since 1982 — as something.
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(Photograph: Justin Casterline / Getty Photographs)
