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Instant recap: Indiana 56, Purdue 3

  • 56m ago
 

Elijah Sarratt celebrates a first down.

Quick thoughts on IU football’s 56-3 win against Purdue at Ross-Ade Stadium in front of 59,807 fans:

Three key plays in IU’s win

Mendoza’s rushing touchdown gives IU a two-score lead

The first quarter ended with IU leading just 7-3, but the Hoosiers struck quickly in the second quarter.

An 11-play, 65-yard drive ended with a Fernando Mendoza run from seven yards for IU’s second rushing touchdown of the game. It was Mendoza’s sixth rushing touchdown this season.

Nico Radicic converted the extra point to put the Hoosiers ahead 14-3 with 10:33 to play in the second quarter.

Black’s second rushing touchdown extends the lead to three scores

After a Purdue punt of just 26 yards gave IU possession at the Boilermaker 36-yard line, it didn’t take the Hoosiers long to reach the end zone.

On its first play of the drive, Mendoza faked a pass and scrambled for 20 yards up the middle. And on the next play, a Kaelon Black had a beautiful spin to avoid a tackle and took it 16 yards for his second touchdown of the game.

It was the seventh rushing touchdown of the season for Black and it put the Hoosiers up 21-3 after another successful extra point from Radicic.

Hemby’s 82-yard touchdown run puts Purdue away in the second quarter

Indiana’s final offensive possession of the first half was brief.

But it was an explosive play that ended in the fourth rushing touchdown in the opening 30 minutes.

Roman Hemby broke free for an 82-yard touchdown run with 1:33 left in the first half to put the Hoosiers up four scores at 28-3. It was Hemby’s sixth rushing touchdown as a Hoosier and 28th of his career.

Offensive standouts

Fernando Mendoza threw for 117 yards and two touchdowns and exited the game late in the third quarter with IU leading 42-3. Mendoza also had a rushing touchdown.

Roman Hemby carried 12 times for 152 yards and a touchdown and Kaelon Black had 13 carries for 66 yards and two touchdowns.

Omar Cooper Jr. caught three passes for 64 yards and a touchdown and Elijah Sarratt had three catches for 41 yards and a touchdown.

Defensive standouts

Stephen Daley had a massive game for the Hoosiers, finishing with 4.5 tackles for loss, including a sack. He also had a forced fumble.

Rolijah Hardy led IU with 10 tackles while Aiden Fisher and Devan Boykin had seven each.

The IU defense limited Purdue to just 44 rushing yards.

What’s next for the Hoosiers

Indiana will be back in action next Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium in the Big Ten championship game. IU’s opponent will be finalized after Saturday’s game. The potential opponents include Ohio State, Michigan and Oregon. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on FOX.

See More: Football, Purdue Boilermakers