SOUTH BEND, Ind. — The Indiana Hoosiers have played two games on national television. They’ve lost by a combined 35 points in them: 38-15 at No. 5 Ohio State and 27-17 against No. 7 Notre Dame in Friday’s College Football Playoff game.
Indiana finishes the season with an 11-2 (8-1 Big Ten) record, a program best. It cannot be understated how much of an achievement it is for this program to do what it’s done over the course of the offseason and the 2024 season.
“It doesn't diminish what these guys accomplished this season,” Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti said postgame. “A lot of firsts. Proud of them."
Indiana’s outing Friday was a tough watch. Six drives ending in punts and one in a turnover. Question marks came early, often, and lingered on decisions that were made, including the interception Indiana senior quarterback Kurtis Rourke threw.
“Just a lack of execution on my part, and just didn't help finishing some drives,” Rourke said. “I’ve just got to be better in finishing those drives.”
The Indiana defense had their early mishap giving up the second longest touchdown in playoff and FBS bowl game history: a 98-yard rushing touchdown to Notre Dame’s sophomore running back Jeremiyah Love.
The game came down to the give and take of football once again. Except unlike Ohio State when the Hoosier defense was consistently strong, they broke in unison with the offense.
Notre Dame outgained Indiana, 394 total yards to 278. Indiana allowed a net 193 rushing yards to the 10th best rushing attack in the country. They were simply outplayed and beat.
Indiana was down 27-3 until there was 3:17 to go in the fourth quarter. A touchdown, 2-point conversion, an onside kick recovery, and another touchdown with a failed 2-point conversion made the score look much better than it was.
But the fourth quarter fight and successful season speaks volumes about this Indiana squad.
“You are what your record says you are. 11-2, tied for 2nd in the Big Ten, made the CFP,” Cignetti said. “We packed the stadium, made a lot of people proud, and had a historic season.”
There’s a new aura about this Indiana Hoosier squad despite the loss. The coaches know it and players feel it.
“We changed the way people think about Indiana football,” senior offensive lineman Mike Katic said. “And I'm just so happy that I could have been a part of it. I'm so thankful that, you know, to all these guys, and all my teammates and coaches that we just, it's just awesome to be a part of, and I'm so happy and blessed.”
The Hoosiers end the season on a 27-17 loss to the No. 7 team in the College Football Playoff. They finished with an overall 11-2 record, a program best, and have hope for next season.
“We've got a good nucleus coming back and we'll be okay,” Cignetti said.
The players are just as aware of what they did for the program that they now refer to as a “dynasty.”
“I’m just glad that we're able to do it together and kind of start the dynasty of Indiana as it moves forward. (I’m) looking forward to watching it,” Rourke said.
