LINCOLN, Neb. (Interstat) — Josh Hoover threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes to Nick Marsh, and Indiana rallied to beat Nebraska 20-17 on Saturday at Memorial Stadium in a Bowl Subdivision game. The announced attendance was 85,653. Indiana improved to 6-0, while Nebraska fell to 5-1.

The win kept Indiana perfect through six games. Nebraska, which had opened the season with five straight wins, dropped its first game. The Hoosiers have relied on a balanced offense and an aggressive defense, while the Cornhuskers had been scoring at a high rate before Saturday. Memorial Stadium’s crowd of 85,653 saw a tight contest that turned on Indiana’s fourth-quarter passing.

Hoover completed 12 of 22 passes for 263 yards and two touchdowns and added five rushes for 24 yards. Marsh caught six passes for 187 yards and both scores. The Hoosiers needed the late surge after Nebraska controlled much of the first half.

Nebraska opened the scoring on Kyle Cunanan’s 28-yard field goal. Indiana answered with Nico Radicic’s 42-yard field goal. The Cornhuskers then took the lead when Nyziah Hunter rushed left for a 10-yard touchdown, and Cunanan added the extra point. Cunanan later missed a 40-yard field goal attempt just before halftime, leaving Nebraska ahead.

Indiana cut into the lead in the third quarter on Radicic’s 35-yard field goal. Nebraska responded early in the fourth when Anthony Colandrea rushed right for a 39-yard touchdown, and Cunanan’s extra point made it a two-score game.

The Hoosiers answered quickly. Hoover found Marsh on a short middle pass that turned into a 75-yard touchdown. Radicic’s extra point trimmed the deficit. Moments later, Hoover connected with Marsh again, this time on a short left pass that went 44 yards for the winning score. Radicic’s kick gave Indiana its final margin. The Hoosiers defense held Nebraska off the scoreboard the rest of the way.

Indiana’s defense then forced Nebraska into a late punt. The Hoosiers took over and ran out most of the remaining clock. Nebraska had one final possession but could not move the ball into scoring range. The Cornhuskers’ last drive ended when a pass fell incomplete and Indiana’s defense celebrated the road win.

Indiana’s running game was steady but not explosive. Lee Beebe Jr. carried nine times for 31 yards. Turbo Richard added eight carries for 10 yards. Charlie Becker caught three passes for 52 yards. Trevor Gibbs had two receptions for 21 yards. Davion Chandler caught one pass for three yards.

Defensively, Indiana got nine tackles from Isaiah Jones and nine from Amare Ferrell. Jamari Sharpe finished with eight tackles and an interception. Rolijah Hardy added eight tackles. Preston Zachman had six tackles. Byron Baldwin Jr. recorded four tackles, one sack and one quarterback hurry. Tobi Osunsanmi had four tackles and one sack. Stephen Daley made three tackles and two sacks. Tyrique Tucker had five tackles and one quarterback hurry. Josh Burnham added two tackles and one sack. Jaylen Bell made four tackles. Mario Landino and Jacob Savage each had three tackles. Kellan Wyatt and Joe Hjelle each finished with two tackles. A.J. Harris had one tackle. Billy Gowers punted six times for 211 yards.

Nebraska’s Colandrea completed 25 of 43 passes for 263 yards. He also ran 17 times for 47 yards and a touchdown. Jacory Barney Jr. was his top target with nine receptions for 108 yards and one punt return for two yards. Luke Lindenmeyer caught seven passes for 45 yards. Nyziah Hunter had five receptions for 43 yards and also ran twice for 10 yards and a touchdown, and he made one tackle. Mekhi Nelson ran four times for 18 yards and caught one pass for 36 yards. Kwazi Gilmer caught three passes for 31 yards. Jamal Rule led the Cornhuskers on the ground with 15 carries for 53 yards.

Nebraska’s defense was led by Dwayne McDougle III with six tackles. Owen Chambliss added five tackles. Andrew Marshall had four tackles. Vincent Shavers Jr. recorded three tackles and one sack. Donovan Jones posted three tackles and one quarterback hurry. Owen Stoudmire had three tackles and one sack. Anthony Jones Jr. and Dexter Foster each made three tackles and one quarterback hurry. Victor Evans III had three tackles. Caleb Benning and Jamir Conn each finished with two tackles. Jahsear Whittington and Dylan Berymon each had one tackle. Kade Pietrzak recorded one quarterback hurry. Archie Wilson punted three times for 172 yards.

Indiana entered the game after wins over Rutgers, Northwestern, Western Kentucky, Howard and North Texas. The Hoosiers are scheduled to host Ohio State next. Nebraska had beaten Maryland, Michigan State, North Dakota, Bowling Green and Ohio before Saturday. The Cornhuskers are set to visit Oregon next. Indiana’s upcoming schedule also includes games against Michigan, Minnesota, Southern California, Washington and Purdue. Nebraska will also face Washington, Illinois, Rutgers, Ohio State and Iowa.

The game featured several momentum swings. Nebraska struck first, but Indiana never let the deficit grow too large. The Hoosiers’ passing game found its rhythm in the fourth quarter, and Marsh’s speed turned short throws into long touchdowns. Indiana’s defense then made the final stops. The Cornhuskers had chances but could not convert late.

Hoover, a 6-1, 205-pound quarterback from Rockwall, Texas, finished with 263 passing yards and two touchdowns. Colandrea, a 5-11, 180-pound quarterback, matched Hoover’s passing yardage but could not lead Nebraska to a final scoring drive. Indiana’s Radicic made two field goals. Cunanan made one field goal and one extra point for Nebraska.

Hoover’s performance came after a strong previous outing in which he completed 20 of 27 passes for 251 yards and four touchdowns against Rutgers. He has now thrown for at least 250 yards in consecutive games. Marsh’s 187 receiving yards were a season high for the Hoosiers. Nebraska’s Colandrea also surpassed 250 passing yards, but his effort came in a losing cause.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Indiana 40, Nebraska 20. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Indiana with an 89.4 percent probability to win. Nebraska had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -7.5. The total score of 37 went over the over/under line of 48.5.