The Indiana Hoosiers have opened up the 2024 season with a win after defeating the Florida International Panthers, 31-7, at home.
The Hoosiers ran the ball 40 times for 234-yards and three touchdowns as the defense held strong and kept the Panthers to just seven points. Indiana had three players rush for 50 or more yards and a 52-yard rush as the longest of the day. The Hoosiers will need to bring their rushing offense again as they take on Western Illinois on Friday in their second game of the season.
Indiana Hoosiers Offense Rolls Past Florida International Panthers on the Ground
The Indiana Hoosiers are officially 1-0 to start the 2024 season after defeating the Florida International Panthers, 31-7, on home turf. Indiana needed a drive to compose themselves before stringing together multiple plays and capping off the drive with a touchdown. Tight end Zach Horton snagged a nine-yard touchdown to give the Panthers a lead early.
The Indiana Hoosiers really opened up the offense on the ground, with three rushers over 50-yards and three touchdowns on the ground. Running back Justice Ellison scored two touchdowns on the ground for the Hoosiers, picking up where he left off last season. Ellison was the primary power back for Wake Forest for the past three seasons, and often scored in goal line sets.
Quarterback Kurtis Rourke looked solid in his debut for the Indiana Hoosiers after transferring from the Ohio University Bobcats. Rourke threw for 3256-yards and 25 touchdowns two seasons ago before a staff change led to his number dropping off significantly last season to just 11 touchdowns and 2207-yards. The quarterback recorded 180-yards through the air in his debut and had a passing touchdown as well.
Rourke also had his struggles, and fumbled twice against the Panthers but was able to recover each fumble. Rourke was sacked each time and did not take care of the football, trying to force a play instead of going down with the ball. The quarterback will need to make better decisions with the football moving forward as he was lucky each play did not result in a turnover.
What Did Indiana Football Excel at Against the Florida International Panthers?
In their win over the Panthers, the Indiana football team did plenty right but still left room for improvement. The Hoosiers ran the ball extremely well and that truly was what ignited their offense against the Panthers. Indiana recorded 234-yards and three touchdowns on the ground against the Panthers for an average of 5.9-yards per carry.
The Indiana football team was led on the ground by running back Elijah Green, who recorded a touchdown and 82-yards. Former James Madison transfer Ty Son Lawton led the team in carries, taking up the bulk of the work with 16 carries and two touchdowns. Justice Ellison also recorded 10 carries for 68-yards out of the backfield for the Hoosiers.
Through the air, the Hoosiers had plenty of success as well with quarterback Kurtis Rourke recording 180-yards and a touchdown. Rourke had some struggles against the Panthers too however and fumbled twice, but luckily recovered each fumble. The quarterback could have potentially opened up the game with his arm a bit more, but missed the open target a few times.
Tight end Zach Horton recorded the lone receiving touchdown and had 36-yards against the Panthers on three receptions. Horton was a stud in the redzone for James Madison last season, catching six touchdowns, which is something the Hoosiers will look to continue. Horton could be the leading receiver for the Indiana football team this season due to what he offers the team in the passing game with his size.
Get More NFL and College Football Content
For more news and trends in the college football world, follow me on Twitter @JarrettGuerrera
