That was a close one!
Indiana football extended its 22-game winning streak today at Nebraska, eking out an uncomfortable three-point win over a scrappy Nebraska team that was looking to make a statement. After being held out of the end zone for the first three quarters, Nick Marsh caught a pair of long touchdown passes to give Indiana its first lead of the game with just over seven minutes left in the game.
The defense struggled to get off the field for most of the game, but turned in a pair of turnovers
on downs when the game was on the line to seal the win. It maybe wasn’t a win the Hoosiers deserved, but it counts the same at the end of the day.
Here are three takeaways from the game:
Nick Marsh
Coming into today, Nick Marsh had been slightly outshined by Charlie Becker at the receiver position, standing out more for his blocking downfield than his pass-catching. That changed in Lincoln this afternoon.
Marsh led all players today with 187 receiving yards for two touchdowns, doing so on just six receptions as Indiana’s time of possession was limited. He was a factor from the start of the game, hauling in a 37-yard reception on Indiana’s second offensive possession to keep Nebraska’s secondary honest on a windy day when both coordinators would have preferred running the ball.
His second touchdown was about as easy as they come, the product of broken coverage on a fourth and one, but he made a number of catches on balls that were either under-thrown or affected by the wind today. Marsh’s willingness to make those tough catches over the middle was the only reason Indiana scored at all today.
We’ve known from his Michigan State days that Marsh had the potential to be this good, but this was his best showing in a Hoosier uniform. The Becker/Marsh dual threat outside has arrived in full force now.
Josh Hoover
I’m going to be honest with you all, I thought this would be the week that Hoover threw his first interception. Nebraska’s pass defense has excelled at taking the ball away so far this year, and the Cornhusker’s ability to stop the run today put the ball in his hands more than I had anticipated coming into the game.
Then there was the wind, which visibly affected a number of throws for both sides today, probably keeping Indiana off the scoreboard early. Hoover’s first two passes could have gone for touchdowns with a little more touch, but gusts up to 35 miles per hour took finesse passing off the table today.
If things go according to plan, this won’t be a game that stands out for Hoover statistically, but it’s definitely reminiscent of some of last year’s performances from Fernando Mendoza, like the wins at Iowa or Penn State. As in those games, Hoover did well enough as quarterback to secure the most important stat – a team win.
The Defense
Indiana’s defense, particularly its secondary, has been the primary (you decide if pun was intended or not) cause for concern surrounding the 2026 Indiana football Hoosiers. Today’s win at Nebraska was another imperfect performance, but it was enough for a win. Much to consider here.
As with quarterbacking, the stat that matters is the win. That said, there were a few stats that make today look like one of, if not the shakiest performance from an Indiana defense under Curt Cignetti.
Nebraska converted on eighth third-downs in the first half, tying the record for conversions allowed against a Bryant Haines defense that it would go on to break in the second half. I don’t have the advanced stats in front of me yet, but I’d wager that Indiana also approached a record for missed tackles since 2024.
Between the first half today and the narrow win over Northwestern, there’s a definite pattern emerging for how to beat this defense. Mobile quarterbacks, quick passes, and getting to the edge have caused Indiana a lot of problems this year.
With the secret out on how to move the ball against Indiana, the task falls to Haines to adjust or adapt to cover his group’s weaknesses ahead of a big matchup with Ohio State and Jeremiah Smith Jr.
