PASADENA, Calif. — Indiana football made its first trip out west in the new-look Big Ten conference a memorable one.
The Hoosiers beat UCLA 42-13 in the first ever matchup between the programs and never trailed in the program’s most dominant showing against a conference opponent in years.
Indiana never looked back after opening the game with a pair of lengthy scoring drives. Quarterback Kurtis Rourke had his first 300-yard passing performance for the crimson and cream and had no problem finding an open target with his offensive line giving him time to throw all night long.
Here’s three observations from IU’s Week 3 performance:
Indiana football doesn’t let officials steal away the momentum
Indiana football had a pair of defenders thrown out of the game — defensive tackle CJ West and starting corner D’Angelo Ponds — amidst a flurry of flags in the second half. The Hoosiers defense didn’t let either penalty slow them down.
They forced a punt after West was called for targeting on the first play of the second half. Ponds was called for targeting at the inside the 5-yard line, but UCLA had to settle for a 34-yard field goal on the drive.
Indiana’s teams in recent years weren’t able to recover when things started going against them, but that kind of mindset is long gone under Cignetti and while he won’t be happy about having to play the first half against Charlotte next week without the defenders, he will be happy with the mental fortitude of his group.
More:Indiana football starting corner D’Angelo Ponds ejected for targeting against UCLA
More:Indiana football starting corner D’Angelo Ponds ejected for targeting against UCLA
Indiana football backup receiver’s light up the Bruins
Indiana receiver Miles Cross and Ke’Shawn Williams grabbed a leading role on offense on the team’s visit out west.
Cross surpassed his season totals in catches (one) and yards (30) in the first half. He came through in some big moments by converting a pair of third downs and scoring a touchdown on IU’s opening drive. He finished the game with six catches for 90 yards with a score.
Cross had some built in chemistry with Rourke as a transfer from Ohio, but had only been targeted once through the first two games of the season.
Rourke leaned on that familiarity when he launched a deep pass with IU facing a third-and-three from UCLA’s 34-yard line. He saw Cross had man coverage in the middle of the field and just let the ball go in the face of pressure.
He made a one-handed grab with a defensive back draped over his back down to the 1-yard line. Rourke has previously said that Cross is the most sure-handed receiver he’s ever played with.
Cross also caught a contested pass down the middle to convert a third and 10 in the fourth quarter that set up IU’s final touchdown.
Williams didn’t play a ton of snaps, but played a vital role in IU’s red zone offense. UCLA had a time covering the speedy slot receiver and he scored a pair of touchdowns. He also came into the game with only one catch through IU’s first two games.
Indiana football has another middle eight let down
One of Curt Cignetti’s main criticisms of his team through the first two games was how it closed out the first half.
That was an issue again on Saturday.
The Hoosiers defense allowed UCLA to march down the field with less than four minutes to go in the second quarter on a nine-play, 78-yard drive that T.J. Harden capped off with a touchdown.
It erased some of the good vibes of a stellar start — IU led 21-0 and held UCLA to just 42 total yards before that — and gave the Bruins a shot to make it a one-possession game coming out of the break.
UCLA didn’t even face a third down attempt on the drive.
The biggest missed opportunity on the drive came when Ethan Garbers Jr. got loose from the pocket and ran the ball 20-yard down to the 1-yard line. Cignetti mentioned Garber’s sneaky athleticism multiple times in the days leading up the game.
Indiana defensive lineman Marcus Burris Jr. got a hand on Garbers during the ball, but the quarterback broke free with a spin move.
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.
