Indiana made a statement on its opening series against Ohio State.
The Hoosiers jumped out to a 7-0 lead on a touchdown by running back Ty Son Lawton to cap an 11-play, 70-yard drive.
Indiana received the ball after forcing an Ohio State three-and-out on the game’s opening possession.
The Hoosiers likely need a strong performance against the Buckeyes to clinch a spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff. So far, so good.
Indiana’s strength of schedule through Week 12 ranked 106th in the country, per ESPN’s Football Power Index.
A blowout loss to College Football Playoff No. 2 Ohio State (9-1, 6-1 in Big Ten) would put a significant dent in its case of being considered one of the country’s 12 best teams.
Instead, Lawton’s touchdown gave the Hoosiers their first lead against the Buckeyes since 2018, when it briefly led 17-14 in the second quarter of a 49-26 loss.
Lawton is one of several players who followed Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti from James Madison.
He entered Week 13 with 106 carries, 508 yards and nine touchdowns.
Indiana’s leaders in receiving yards, Elijah Sarratt, and sacks, Mikail Kamara, are among the other former Dukes who have made substantial impacts.
It underscores how impressive Cignetti has been. Not only has he led Indiana to its best season in program history in his first season, but he’s done so with a roster of several former Group of Five players overlooked by major conferences.
After one quarter, No. 5 Indiana (10-0, 7-0 in Big Ten) leads Ohio State 7-0.
