indystar
LINCOLN, Neb. — Indiana football dialed up a play called 'Burger King' on a crucial fourth-and-1 situation against Nebraska on Saturday, and it resulted in the go-ahead touchdown with 7:22 remaining in a 20-17 victory over the Cornhuskers.
IU coach Curt Cignetti revealed that the name was given to the call his offense used on the pivotal fourth-down conversion. Lining up in the pistol at Nebraska's 44-yard line, the No. 5 Hoosiers (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) deployed Nick Marsh and Charlie Becker off tackle to the short side of the field, with tight end Brock Schott at H-back in a jumbo package that included an extra offensive lineman.
Nebraska's defense covered Schott, the intended target, but Marsh flashed open and quarterback Josh Hoover found him. Becker was also open, but Hoover made the right read, hitting Marsh, who cut up the field for the easiest score of his career.
Marsh, who had scored on a 75-yard touchdown on Indiana's previous drive, finished the game with 187 receiving yards. 'It was a play we drew up at practice,' Marsh said. 'We had an idea that somebody was going to be open. It just happened that a couple guys were open and Josh ended up getting me. I'm grateful that coach put that in the game for me.'
Cignetti credited Kansas coach Lance Leipold for the inspiration, noting that he flagged the play while studying red zone cut-ups years ago when Jalon Daniels was at quarterback for the Jayhawks. The Hoosiers even ran a version of the call in the red zone earlier this season against Northwestern. 'Kansas made that one famous with a guy starting at quarterback for Tampa Bay (Daniels),' Cignetti said. 'And that guy's a good coach.'
Key Analysis
The play, dubbed 'Burger King,' not only secured a critical win for Indiana but also highlighted Cignetti's attention to detail and willingness to borrow successful concepts from other programs. The adaptation from Kansas, where Daniels now stars in the NFL for Tampa Bay, underscores the strategic depth that has propelled the Hoosiers to an undefeated start. Marsh's career day and Hoover's poised execution on fourth down demonstrate the offense's growing chemistry and big-play potential as Indiana continues its surprising run.
Originally reported by indystar.