EVANSTON, Ill. – – Kurtis Rourke threw for 380 yards and three touchdowns to help No. 23 Indiana stay undefeated with a 41-24 victory over Northwestern on Saturday.

The Hoosiers (6-0) also had 158 yards on the ground, while Justice Ellison (68 yards) and Ty Son Lawton (52 yards) each had a rushing TD. Elijah Sarratt had 135 yards on seven catches. The Hoosiers matched their best start to the season with the six wins, equaling the 1967 team.

Jack Lausch had a rebounding performance for Northwestern, throwing for 243 yards and two scores. Bryce Kirtz and AJ Henning were his favorite targets, combining for 195 yards on 16 catches.

After a slow start, both teams combined for five consecutive scoring drives to end the first half. Indiana took a 17-10 lead into the break, led by Rourke’s 196 yards. Miles Cross made a tagging catch in the back of the end zone to break a 7-7 tie and put the Hoosiers ahead for good.

Henning caught two touchdowns in the second half, including a two-yard screen pass that cut the deficit to 27-24. However, Northwestern’s defense couldn’t stop Indiana from marching down the field for touchdowns on consecutive drives and the Hoosiers put the game away.

IU offense rolls again

The nation’s No. 3 scoring offense entering Saturday broke the 40-point mark for the fifth time this season, with more than 500 yards of total offense without a turnover. Rourke enjoyed his third 300-yard performance in the last four games as the Hoosiers averaged 4.9 yards per carry on the ground prior to the final drive. Indiana had the 11th worst offense in 2023, scoring 22.2 points per outing.

Missed tackles Plague Northwest

The Wildcats held Indiana to a turnover on downs and punts to open the game, but Northwestern’s defense gave up seven straight scoring drives (five touchdowns, two field goals) to essentially close out the game. The main culprit was missed in tackling, on a 52-yard catch-and-run by Ke-Shawn Williams that eluded four Northwestern defenders. Indiana’s 41 points were the Wildcats’ most points allowed in their five games played.

The takeaway

Indiana: The Hoosier defense struggled at times to stop Northwestern, but Indiana’s calling card was its offense, which continued its dominant start to the season. Rourke excelled and was helped by a strong ground attack.

Northwestern: Despite the loss, the Wildcats can be optimistic in giving 6-0 Indiana one of its toughest challenges yet. Lausch bounced back well from a disastrous game in Washington where he completed less than 30% of his passes, demonstrating his abilities both in the air and on the ground.

Next

Indiana: The Hoosiers have a bye week before hosting Nebraska on Oct. 19.

Northwestern: The Wildcats have a short week and head to College Park next Friday to take on Maryland.

Survey implications

No. 22 Louisville fell to SMU on Saturday morning, giving Indiana a chance to rise in the polls. No. However, No. 9 Missouri was upset by No. 25 Texas A&M, meaning the Aggies have a good chance to beat the Hoosiers.

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