COLLEGE PARK, Md. – As Indiana continues to win, it continues to lose players to injuries. 

The Hoosiers entered Saturday’s game at Maryland without All-American linebacker Aiden Fisher and left guard Drew Evans.

They then lost All-Big Ten wide receiver Elijah Sarratt and Fisher’s replacement, Kaiden Turner, early in the first half. How did they respond? By delivering a 55-10 beatdown of Maryland.

Indiana (9-0, 6-0 Big Ten) is undefeated and ranked second in the nation despite injuries to key players thinning out the roster. Indiana coach Curt Cignetti has had the Hoosiers prepared for every game this season, even as his cast of players evolves.

Indiana has also lost defensive lineman Kellan Wyatt, running back Lee Beebe Jr. and safety Bryson Bonds to season-ending knee injuries. Wyatt was a starter before suffering his injury, and Beebe and Bonds were frequently used rotational players.

Backups continue to step in for Indiana and play at or around the same level as the team’s starters. The depth allows this team to not just continue winning, but to continue dominating.

“We've had some guys step in, step up, and that's what you've got to have,” Cignetti said. “And sometimes you never really know about a guy until he gets an opportunity. And that's really true, because when a guy gets an opportunity, he can become a little bit of a different kind of guy, because (backups) get limited reps in practice. Sure, it's not fun, but we're going to need more people to step up, because we don't have an off week for a couple more weeks yet.”

The Hoosiers’ offensive line was still forceful in the running game without Evans, who Cignetti said will be out “for a few weeks.” Indiana ran for 367 yards on 7.1 yards per carry to control Saturday’s game.

Indiana didn’t have a first down on its first two drives, as it struggled to adequately protect quarterback Fernando Mendoza on dropbacks. Following those two drives, Indiana went on a 13-play, 93-yard march down the field. Nine of those 13 plays were runs as the drive was capped by Mendoza scoring a 7-yard touchdown on a designed quarterback draw.

“Things were just happening on the fly,” said Indiana running back Kaelon Black, who ran for 110 yards. “But I feel like our coaches did a great job of just making sure that we are prepared going into it, regardless of the situation. And I feel like we came out and we did what we had to do.” 

Indiana scored on its last eight full drives (game-ending kneels excluded). It established a ground-and-pound identity, running 52 times and throwing just 23 passes. That led to Indiana having its fifth game with over 300 rushing yards this year.

Without Fisher on defense, Indiana started Turner at linebacker. Turner intercepted Maryland quarterback Malik Washington on the first play of the second quarter, but he got hurt making that play and never returned.

Indiana played fewer three-linebacker sets without Fisher and Turner in the lineup, opting to use defensive backs Devan Boykin and Byron Baldwin Jr. at the “rover" position. When Indiana did play three linebackers, Jeff Utzinger stepped in for Turner. The shorthanded Hoosiers still managed to hold the Terrapins to 10 points and 37 rushing yards, both season lows.

“No matter who’s down, it’s always ‘next guy up,’” said Indiana linebacker Isaiah Jones, who had helmet communication with Indiana’s coaches in Fisher’s absence. “Gotta keep the standard, and that’s something we are proud about on defense, is having a standard and playing to that standard — no matter who we’re playing, no matter who is playing.” 

Indiana is extremely well-prepared, and its staff develops players at an astounding rate. In an era where talent in college football is more centralized than ever, this team has seamlessly endured all its injuries. Most teams missing this many key players would be drawn into close battles, at the least. But Cignetti’s squad continues to overpower opponents.

“We have a lot of confidence in all our guys and the depth,” Mendoza said. “The whole Indiana team, it’s ‘next man up, next man’ mentality that they’re gonna go and do their job and not just be a filler, but they’re gonna excel at their job.” 

It’s reasonable to ask whether the Hoosiers have the depth to sustain this kind of success without their top linebacker or receiver. The team’s lackluster November schedule — which includes a bye week in three weeks — should help, but missing this many players could catch up to the Hoosiers. 

Fisher and Sarratt, the two most important injured players, aren’t expected to be out for long. But if some players never get back to 100% this year while others have to miss key games, Indiana may be in trouble.

The Hoosiers will likely continue to beat the Marylands of the world, but they have Big Ten and national championship aspirations. If Indiana keeps losing starters, it may not be able to accomplish those goals. For now, Cignetti is pleased with how his team has responded to these injuries.

“From my standpoint, the thing I'm most proud of is the way that they listen to the message about playing one play at a time, regardless of circumstances,” Cignetti said.

The health of this Indiana team will be something to monitor for the remainder of the season. The Hoosiers have maintained their elite status while being hampered. How far Indiana goes this year may depend on how healthy it is and if it can continue to overcome significant losses.