Indiana chases another milestone moment when Maryland visits in Big Ten home opener
Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke passes during the second half of an NCAA college football game against UCLA, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Pasadena, Calif. Credit: AP/Mark J. Terrill
Maryland (3-1, 0-1 Big Ten) at Indiana (4-0, 1-0), Saturday, 12 p.m. ET (BTN)
BetMGM College Football Odds: Indiana by 7.
Series record: Indiana leads 7-5.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
This has already been a milestone season for the Hoosiers — starting 4-0 for the eighth time, breaking single-game school records for scoring and total offense and positioning themselves to become the third team to go 5-0 in the program's 140-year history — the first since 1967. Maryland is coming off a blowout win over Villanova and needs a victory to even its conference record after a deflating Week 2 loss at home against Michigan State.
KEY MATCHUP
Maryland's secondary vs. Indiana QB Kurtis Rourke. The Terrapins' pass defense held up last week and it will be essential to replicate that performance this week against Rourke and the high-scoring Hoosiers. Rourke has been completed 75.5% of his throws for 1,013 yards. He's tied for second in the Big Ten with eight TD passes and has two TD runs.
Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti shouts during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Florida International, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Bloomington, Ind. Credit: AP/Darron Cummings
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Maryland: Tai Felton. The fourth-year receiver has at least seven receptions and one TD catch in every game this season while topping the 100-yard mark in all four, too. After recording 14 catches, 157 yards and one TD last week, everyone — including the Hoosiers secondary — will be focusing on Felton this week.
Indiana: Offensive line. It has done an incredible job helping to keep coach Curt Cignetti's offense balanced with a stronger than anticipated ground game while keeping Rourke upright. The Hoosiers have allowed just two sacks through four games, a stark contrast from recent seasons, though Maryland will be this unit's second major test.
FACTS & FIGURES
Maryland wide receiver Tai Felton (10) drives with the ball, defended by Virginia cornerback Kempton Shine (29) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Charlottesville, Va. Credit: AP/Mike Kropf
Maryland has won six of its last eight overall with the only losses coming late last season to Michigan and earlier this year against the Spartans. ... The Hoosiers finished 19 points short of returning to The Associated Press Top 25 since 2021. ... Felton's 41 receptions broke Frank Wycheck's previous school record (38) through four games, set in 1991. ... There was a 57-year gap between Indiana’s first two 5-0 starts, in 1910 and 1967. If they win Saturday, it would be 57 years between their second and third such starts ... QB Billy Edwards Jr. is coming off his best game at Maryland, completing a school single-game record 88% (28 of 32) with a career high 328 yards and two TDs. ... Indiana has scored 202 points, the most through any four-game stretch in school history.
