BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Fernando Mendoza accomplished 91.7% of his passes for 299 yards and 4 touchdowns as No. 2 Indiana took one other step towards clinching a spot in its first Huge Ten title sport and certain a second straight playoff berth with a 31-7 victory over Wisconsin on Saturday.

Mendoza spent a while within the damage tent throughout the fourth quarter, however returned on the subsequent Indiana collection to throw his school-record-breaking thirtieth TD of the season — a 5-yarder to Omar Cooper Jr. Mendoza continued to make his Heisman Trophy case by going 22 of 24 regardless of being sacked 5 instances.

The Hoosiers (11-0, 8-0 Huge Ten, No. 2 CFP) are undefeated by way of 11 video games the primary time at school historical past and have tied final season’s record-setting victory complete. Additionally they improved to 15-0 at residence — the longest successful streak at school historical past — in coach Curt Cignetti’s two-year tenure.

Wisconsin (3-7, 1-6) has misplaced to 5 ranked groups this season however has not crushed a top-10 workforce on the highway since 2019.

Carter Smith grew to become the primary true freshman to begin a sport for the Badgers since 1991 and completed 9 of 15 with 98 yards, together with a 45-yard TD move to Lance Mason. He additionally had two turnovers and Wisconsin generated solely 23 complete yards within the second half.

Indiana took management by closing the primary half with a 37-yard subject objective to make it 10-7 and opening the second half with a 2-yard TD move from Mendoza to Holden Staes. The Hoosiers then transformed a Badgers turnover right into a 21-yard TD move from Mendoza to Riley Nowakowski, the previous Badger. Mendoza and Cooper closed it out with a fourth quarter scoring play for the second straight week.

Wisconsin operating again Gideon Ituka left the sport on a cart, strapped to a backboard halfway by way of the third quarter after taking two massive hits on the identical after which hitting his head arduous on the enjoying floor. He gave a thumbs-up sign on his manner off. The Badgers didn’t have a direct replace on Ituka’s situation.

Wisconsin: The Badgers performed effectively sufficient to remain shut — for a half. They’re simply not adequate or wholesome sufficient to upset a ranked workforce on the highway.

Indiana: All Cignetti does is win — and this time he did it by getting the Hoosiers to calm down after a ragged first half.

Wisconsin: Hosts rival Indiana Nov. 22.

Indiana: Has a bye earlier than chasing the primary good common season at school historical past Nov. 28 at rival Purdue.

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