After closing its non-conference schedule with a 52-14 win over Charlotte, Indiana football (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) lept to No. 27 in the AP Poll, receiving more votes than any non-ranked team besides Washington State. The justification for the Hoosiers not breaking into the AP Top 25 is that they have not faced any truly difficult opponents yet — that changes Saturday when the Maryland Terrapins (3-1, 0-1 Big Ten) visit Memorial Stadium.
Indiana running back Justice Ellison and quarterback Kurtis Rourke are two of the five highest-graded offensive players in the Big Ten this season, per Pro Football Focus (PFF). Ellison is averaging 7.6 yards per carry, which ranks seventh in the Big Ten — a testament to his shiftiness and the offensive line’s prowess in the trenches.
Rourke has been prolific at the head of Indiana’s offense, which has yet to turn the ball over. Rourke is completing over 75% of his passes and making confident, quick decisions with the ball in his hands. He has been sacked just once since Indiana’s season-opener on Aug. 31.
“Success leads to confidence, which leads to success,” Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti said Monday. “We’ve done a better job protecting (Rourke) since the opening game, which has been a key to the passing game. I think (the offensive line is) playing really well. They’re tough, hard-nosed guys.”
The top two slots on that PFF list are occupied by Maryland players — wideout Tai Felton is at the top of the list and quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. is right behind him.
Felton dominated Indiana when the teams squared off in College Park in 2023, becoming the first player in Maryland history to catch three touchdown passes in the first half as the Terps rolled the Hoosiers, 44-17. Edwards Jr. took over for an injured Taulia Tagovailoa during Maryland’s last trip to Bloomington in 2022, leading two scoring drives in the final seven minutes of game time to defeat Indiana, 38-33.
Now a redshirt junior, Edwards Jr. resembles Rourke in many respects. In his first year as a starter, the Maryland signal-caller totes a 75% completion percentage, an average of over 288 passing yards per game and an 8-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Cignetti, who targeted Edwards as a recruit while coaching at James Madison, is aware of his skillset.
“He can make all the throws,” Cignetti said. “They’ll also run him, and obviously he’s a threat when he gets out of the pocket. He’s a very competitive guy with good arm strength, and a good leader. They like him, and I can see why.”
Felton, now a senior, leads the Big Ten in receiving by a wide margin. He is averaging 151 yards per game, while second-place Jeremiah Smith of Ohio State is averaging 93.7. Felton is tied for second in the conference with five receiving touchdowns, and he has caught at least one touchdown pass in all four of Maryland’s games this season.
Kaden Prather and Dylan Wade are Maryland’s other receiving threats, both averaging over 40 yards per game. Cignetti said Maryland’s aggressive style of play presents a new challenge for Indiana.
“It’s the best receiving corps, the best quarterback and probably the best team we’ve seen up to this point,” Cignetti said. “Last year, it wasn’t much of a game. I’m sure they’re going to come in here pretty confident.”
Indiana’s run defense left a lot to be desired against Charlotte. The Hoosiers entered the game allowing under 60 rushing yards per game, but the 49ers racked up 137 yards on the ground, the most of any Indiana opponent this season.
“We weren’t swarming the football like we’ve done in the past,” Cignetti said. “We’re capable of playing better, and we’re going to need to play better.”
Maryland is searching for its first Big Ten win this season after falling at home against Michigan State on Sept. 7. If the Terrapins want to hand Indiana its first loss of the season, Edwards Jr. and Felton will need to connect on some big plays and get Indiana’s defense on its heels while somehow stopping an offense that is second in the Big Ten, averaging over 50 points per game. Despite the impressive numbers, Cignetti knows complacency is the enemy.
“We want to improve because nobody is in a position where they can afford to go backwards,” Cignetti said. “You’ve got to keep striving. This is a really good football team coming in here. We’re going to have to play our best game, but I’ll be shocked if our guys don’t understand that.”
Indiana’s first home conference game kicks off at noon Saturday. The game will be broadcast on Big Ten Network, the IU Sports Radio Network and WIUX Sports. Big Ten Network’s coverage begins with Big Ten Tailgate at 10 a.m. outside of the west entrance to Assembly Hall, just east of Memorial Stadium.
