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Notre Dame vs Indiana: Hoosiers' Offense Overview

Writer's picture: Brenden DuffyBrenden Duffy

Notre Dame begins their journey to a National Championship at home in primetime on Friday Night against the tenth-seeded Indiana Hoosiers. We preview the Hoosiers’ high-powered offense here:

Photo by The Irish Tribune


The 11-1 Hoosiers are ‘never daunted’ as they look to keep their dream season alive in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal. The winner of this Friday’s matchup will have a date with the Georgia Bulldogs in the Sugar Bowl. Here are the Hoosiers’ results this season:


  • vs Florida International (31-7, Win)

  • vs Western Illinois (77-3, Win)

  • at UCLA (42-13, Win)

  • vs Charlotte (52-14, Win)

  • vs Maryland (42-28, Win)

  • at Northwestern (41-24, Win)

  • vs Nebraska (56-7, Win)

  • vs Washington (31-17, Win)

  • at Michigan State (47-10, Win)

  • vs Michigan (20-15, Win)

  • at Ohio State (38-15, Loss)

  • vs Purdue (66-0, Win)


Indiana’s unimaginable season is largely credited to offensive-minded head coach Curt Cignetti. The former West Virginia quarterback has drawn similarities to, arguably, the greatest college football coach of all time, Nick Saban. Ironically, Saban was serving as a defensive assistant for WVU during Cignetti’s freshman and sophomore years. After hanging up the cleats, Cignetti served as a graduate assistant with Pitt. He then served in various offensive assistant roles with numerous teams between 1985-2010, most notably he was Alabama’s wide receiver coach during their perfect 2009 season, as an assistant under Saban. Since 2011, Cignetti has been a head coach, making a rather fast rise through the ranks. He has served as head coach at IUP, Elon, James Madison, and Indiana. Remarkably, Cignetti has won coach of the year in each of these teams’ respective conferences: PSAC (2012), CAA (2017), Sun Belt (2023), and Big Ten (2024). Cignetti has taken the country by storm, bringing a program picked to finish near the bottom of the Big Ten to a playoff appearance.


As hinted at before, Cignetti has this Hoosiers offense rolling. Their 43.3 total points per game leads the Big Ten and is second-most among FBS teams. Also, their 438.8 total yards per game ranks fourth in the Big Ten and 24th in the country.


One reason for this success is the Hoosiers’ elite red zone offense. 93.9% of their red zone trips end with points, the best percentage in the Big Ten and fourth-highest in the country. Additionally, their 66 red zone trips and 62 red zone scores are both the most among FBS teams. This could end up being a key to victory, as the Irish are among the top ten in red zone defense, allowing opponents to score on just 77.3% of their trips inside the twenty.


Another reason for this offense’s success is the fact they rarely turn the ball over. Five interceptions thrown and three fumbles lost are both tied for the sixth-fewest among FBS teams. This could be another key to deciding the contest as the Irish’s 28 defensive turnovers are tied for the most in the country. 


The Hoosiers’ offense has also been great on third downs, converting 48.5% of their attempts. This percentage ranks second in the Big Ten and 12th in the country. This is another aspect of Notre Dame’s defense they handle well, holding opponents to just a 30.6% conversion percentage, the seventh-lowest percentage in the country. Whoever wins the third down battle could decide the game.



Indiana features a good passing offense, averaging 265.2 yards per game which ranks fourth in the Big Ten and 29th in the country. Quarterback Kurtis Rourke has plenty of talented options to throw the ball to, most of whom are transfers like himself. Here are the key players involved in the Hoosiers’ efficient passing game: 


As just mentioned, Indiana’s star quarterback is redshirt senior Kurtis Rourke. Before this season, the Ohio transfer completed 66.3% of his attempts for 7,651 yards and 50 touchdowns with 16 interceptions in 35 games played across four seasons with the Bobcats. He was named 2022 MAC Player of the Year after leading the conference in completion percentage (69.1%), passing yards (3,257), passing touchdowns (25), and passing efficiency (167.7). In 2023, he earned All-MAC Second Team honors before transferring to Indiana for his final collegiate year. This season, Rourke was named to the All-Big Ten Second Team after throwing 202/287 (70.4%) for 2,827 yards and 27 touchdowns with just four interceptions in 11 games played. He missed the entire second half versus Nebraska and the following contest versus Washington due to a broken bone in his thumb. Here is where Rourke ranks among Big Ten and all FBS passers:


  • 70.4% completion percentage, fourth in the Big Ten and seventh in FBS

  • 257 passing yards per game, fourth in the Big Ten and 21st in FBS

  • 14 yards per completion, leads the Big Ten and 11th in FBS

  • 27 passing touchdowns, tied for second in the Big Ten and tied for tenth in FBS

  • 181.38 passing efficiency, the best in the country


Rourke has four games with more than 300 passing yards, including a season-high 380 at Northwestern when he threw 25/33 with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Also, he recorded a season-high six passing touchdowns versus Purdue when he threw 23/31 for 349 yards with, again, no interceptions. In my opinion, Rourke is among the best quarterbacks in the country, from a passing standpoint, and deserves more 2025 NFL Draft buzz than he is currently receiving. He did struggle in Indiana’s lone loss at Ohio State, however, the Buckeyes have the second-best passing defense in the country. One recent issue for Rourke is sacks, although he has just taken 17 this season, 11 have occurred in the last three games. If the Irish can make Rourke uncomfortable, it will be hard for this offense to truly get rolling.


Rourke’s leading receiver is junior Elijah Sarratt. Before this season, he was an FCS Freshman All-American at St. Francis (PA) after recording 42 receptions for 700 yards and 13 touchdowns. Following this campaign, he transferred to JMU with Coach Cignetti. Last year, Sarratt earned First Team All-Sun Belt honors after totaling 82 receptions for 1,191 yards and eight touchdowns. He then followed Cignetti to Indiana this season. Sarratt leads the Hoosiers in receptions (49), receiving yards (890), and receiving touchdowns (8). His 74.2 receiving yards per game, 18.16 yards per reception, and eight receiving touchdowns all rank within the top 40 of FBS pass-catchers. Sarratt has at least one reception in each game, including four games with at least six receptions and 100 yards. He recorded a season-high eight receptions for 165 yards and two touchdowns versus Purdue. Sarratt is a good receiver, however, five of his six drops this season occurred in the last four contests. This will need to be fixed come Friday.


Another reliable, good wide receiver for the Hoosiers is redshirt sophomore Omar Cooper Jr. Last season, he recorded 18 receptions for 267 yards and two touchdowns in nine games played. This year, Cooper has totaled 27 catches for 571 yards and six touchdowns. His 21.15 yards per reception leads the Big Ten and is the sixth-most among FBS pass-catchers. Cooper has at least one catch in eleven games this season, including seven games with at least two receptions and 40 yards. He recorded a season-high four receptions for 131 yards and a touchdown versus WIU. Cooper has no drops this season and has received between two and four targets in each of the past seven contests.


An additional talented option for Rourke this season has been senior receiver Myles Price. The Texas Tech transfer tallied 161 receptions for 1,751 yards and 10 touchdowns across four seasons with the Red Raiders. In his first season as a Hoosier, Price has recorded 33 receptions for 410 yards and two touchdowns. He has between one and four receptions in each game this year, and at least 20 receiving yards in ten games. Price is another sure-handed pass-catcher with only one drop on 43 targets. The versatile weapon also serves as the Hoosiers’ punt returner.


Wide receiver Ke’Shawn Williams is another senior transfer who has gelled with Rourke this season. The Wake Forest transfer had 104 catches for 1,341 yards and five touchdowns in 38 games played across the last three seasons with the Demon Deacons. This year, as a Hoosier, Williams has totaled 34 receptions for 403 yards and five touchdowns. He has at least one reception in 11 games this season, including six games with at least three catches and 30 receiving yards. Like Price, Williams is another sure-handed receiver with one drop on 43 targets. The former Demon Deacon has been more utilized as the season has continued.


The final true wide receiver to highlight is senior Miles Cross. He transferred to Indiana from Ohio, along with Rourke. Cross recorded 94 catches for 1,177 yards and eight touchdowns in 25 games played across the last two seasons at Ohio. This season, he has 26 receptions for 323 yards and four touchdowns. He has at least one catch and 15 yards in eight games, including a season-best performance at UCLA when he finished with six receptions for 90 yards including a touchdown. Overall, Cross is an average receiver as he has struggled to get open throughout the year and has one drop on just 34 targets.


Indiana’s starting tight end is senior Zach Horton, one of Cignetti’s transfers from JMU. With the Dukes, Horton recorded 40 receptions for 434 yards and eight touchdowns in 24 games played. He was named to the First Team All-Sun Belt last season. This year, Horton has twenty catches for 182 yards and four touchdowns. He has at least one catch in nine games and at least 15 receiving yards in seven games. Horton had a season-high four receptions and 31 yards at UCLA. The senior tight end is a better blocker than receiver, but he has just one drop on 24 targets.


Rushing-wise, the Hoosiers have a balanced and effective attack featuring multiple backs. Their 173.6 rushing yards per game are the fifth-most in the Big Ten and tied for 51st among FBS teams. Additionally, their 37 rushing touchdowns lead the conference and are tied for sixth-most in the country. Here are Indiana’s key rushers:


The Hoosiers’ top running back is senior Justice Ellison. The Wake Forest transfer totaled 1,901 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns on 427 carries in 43 games played across four seasons as a Demon Deacon. Additionally, Ellison was named to the Third Team All-ACC in 2022. In his first season at Indiana, he has rushed for 811 yards and ten touchdowns on 148 carries. Ellison’s 5.48 yards per carry are the 50th-most among FBS rushers and his ten rushing scores are tied for 48th. He has nine games with over 50 rushing yards, including three games with over 100. The senior rushed for a season-high 123 yards versus Washington on 29 carries including a touchdown. His most efficient performance occurred versus WIU when he rushed for 117 yards and two touchdowns on just nine carries. Ellison is a very good runner with just one fumble this season and 537 yards after contact.


Ty Son Lawton is the other back prominently featured in this offense. The redshirt senior began his career at Stony Brook, where he earned First Team All-CAA honors in 2021 after leading the conference with 1,088 rushing yards. Following an injury-riddled 2022 campaign, Lawton transferred to JMU with Coach Cignetti. As a Duke, he recorded 568 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 126 carries in 12 games played last season. Expectedly, he followed Cignetti to Indiana for this year. He has rushed for 634 yards and 12 touchdowns on 131 carries as a Hoosier this season. His 12 rushing scores are tied for the 32nd-most among FBS rushers. Notably, he has three games with two rushing touchdowns on the year. Lawton rushed for a season-high 93 yards versus Maryland on 19 carries including a touchdown. Overall, the redshirt senior is another solid runner who has no fumbles and 393 yards after contact.


The final running back featured is redshirt junior Kaelon Black. Another JMU transfer, he recorded 970 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 211 carries in 22 games across two seasons with the Dukes. This year, Black has rushed for 251 yards and two touchdowns on 46 carries. He has received between one and seven carries in ten games, but saw no action versus Michigan or Ohio State. Black has six games with 20 or more rushing yards, including a season-best performance versus Charlotte when he ran for 55 yards and a score on seven carries. When given opportunities, Black has run well and, in my opinion, has the potential to be one of the top running backs in the Big Ten next season, assuming he returns. He does have a fumble this season, but he has 180 yards after contact.


Up front, the Hoosiers' offensive line has been pretty solid this season. 1.5 sacks per game allowed are the 45th-fewest among FBS teams and 4.08 tackles for loss per game allowed are tied for the 20th-fewest. Indiana’s key lineman are their talented tackles:


The starting left tackle is redshirt sophomore Carter Smith. He is a second-year starter who excels as a pass blocker, but he is a solid run blocker as well. Smith has allowed just two sacks and ten quarterback pressures on 379 pass snaps this season.


At right tackle is redshirt senior Trey Wedig. The Wisconsin transfer recorded eight starts in 35 games as a Badger before arriving at Indiana this season. Wedig is an all-around good blocker with just one sack and 14 pressures allowed on 379 pass snaps this year. Notre Dame’s edge rushers will have their hands full trying to get past Smith and Wedig this week.


When the ball kicks off on Friday Night at Notre Dame Stadium, the plan is simple: Win or Go Home. The stakes are high, and both teams will feel the pressure of the moment. Whoever harnesses that energy for better will likely keep their season alive.


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