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 harm that he suffered every 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 report, authored by coach John Pont’s 1967 group, which received the Large Ten, received 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 recreation and ending 9-0-1, 5-0-1 within the Western Convention (the Large Ten’s earlier identify).
The 2024 Hoosiers now personal the very best begin ever. If they’ll maintain downtrodden defending nationwide champion Michigan subsequent week at house, they’ll be the primary Indiana group with double figures in victories.
And if Michigan’s try and upset Indiana is denied, all that’s left for Indiana is a visit to Ohio State and a house recreation in opposition to the worst group within the Large Ten, rival Purdue.
The Hoosiers may very well be taking part in the Buckeyes for a spot within the Large 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 line with The Athletic’s projections, the Hoosiers now have an 87 p.c likelihood to make the sphere.
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 Photos)
