Indiana football grades from surviving Nebraska's upset bid, 22nd straight win

Indiana football survived a scare against Nebraska on Saturday to keep its 22-game winning streak intact. The No. 5 Hoosiers defeated the Cornhuskers 20-17, overcoming an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter. Here's a breakdown of Saturday's victory:

OFFENSE: C

Indiana's run game, which had shown promise in recent weeks, fell short of expectations. Rookie running backs Richard and Beebe Jr. only gained 12 yards in the first half and didn't carry more than 4 yards. Indiana's average yardage per carry dropped to 6.4 yards (fourth in FBS) with just 17 runs of 20+ yards. The Hoosiers' most effective ground attack came from QB Hoover, who had big runs in the third quarter, contributing more than half of the team's production at that point.

Passing game consistency was an issue, with Hoover completing fewer than 60% of passes for the first time this season. Receivers Becker and Marsh provided the offense with key scoring plays.

DEFENSE: C

Nebraska's defense took control early, forcing Indiana to make stops in the second half. The Cornhuskers converted 8 of 11 third downs through the first two quarters, setting the pace for the game. Indiana managed to hold Nebraska to just two points in the second half, but Nebraska's miscues played a significant role in their success.

A false start penalty allowed Nebraska to go for it on fourth down, and Colandrea's 39-yard touchdown run broke a series of tackles and marked Indiana's first 30+ yard rush allowed this season.

KICKERS AND SPECIAL TEAMS: B

Nico Radicic stepped up after missing two field goals against Rutgers, going 2 of 2 on field goals in windy conditions to keep IU in the game. However, Indiana struggled on punts, averaging just 36.3 yards per punt, with one punt coming from their own end zone.