COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The start for Indiana was less than ideal. 

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza was intercepted by Maryland’s Jamare Glasker on the third play from scrimmage, allowing the Terrapins to take an early 3-0 lead. The Hoosiers’ offense went three-and-out on their ensuing drive, as their offense looked out of sorts.

But Indiana recovered to score on its next eight drives and took advantage of five Maryland turnovers en route to a 55-10 win. The second-ranked Hoosiers (9-0, 6-0 Big Ten) remained undefeated and Maryland (4-4, 1-4 Big Ten) dropped its fourth straight contest. The Hoosiers should maintain their No. 2 ranking behind Ohio State, and the College Football Playoff Selection Committee’s rankings will be released Tuesday.

“A lot of good stuff,’’ coach Curt Cignetti told CBS Sports after the game, “but some things to clean up.’’ 

The Hoosiers prevailed despite being shorthanded. Indiana was without All-Big Ten linebacker Aiden Fisher and left guard Drew Evans heading into the game. They then lost All-Big Ten wide receiver Elijah Sarratt with an apparent hamstring issue and linebacker Kaiden Turner — who was replacing Fisher — early in the first half. Sarratt’s string of games with at least one catch ended at 46.

While Indiana battled with injuries, that didn’t stop it from coming away with another blowout win. Indiana continues to dominate inferior teams, and it hasn’t lost to an unranked opponent in Cignetti’s two seasons as coach.

Saturday was another stellar performance for Indiana’s rushing attack. Indiana ran for 367 yards against the Terrapins, as it was the team’s sixth game this season with over 200 yards on the ground. 

Indiana’s running back duo of Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black excelled again against Maryland. Hemby, the former Maryland running back, had 88 yards rushing against his former team while Black had 110. Both players ran for touchdowns, and so did quarterback Fernando Mendoza.

While Maryland’s run game was nonexistent, Indiana’s controlled the game. Indiana had 52 carries and Maryland had only 17. The Hoosiers’ offensive line got consistent push up front, even without Evans.

"Them boys did their thing today," Black said of Indiana's offensive line. "They did what they could for us, and we were able to go out there and make some things shake. But we have to give all the praise to the o-line."

Mendoza — who is in the running to be Indiana’s first Heisman trophy winner — went 14-of-21 through the air for 201 yards, a touchdown and an interception. He also ran for a touchdown. Mendoza played just one snap in the fourth quarter as the Hoosiers entered the quarter with a 31-point lead.

Defensively, the Hoosiers gave up a few long plays, including Maryland’s lone touchdown on a 55-yard pass early in the third quarter. But aside from those, Indiana consistently shut down the Terrapins. The Hoosiers forced five Maryland turnovers (two interceptions and three fumbles). Indiana’s outstanding defense made life easy on its offense that took a while to get going.

"Our defense did a fantastic job of creating five turnovers today, which won the turnover ratio," Mendoza said. "And I think they did a great job of complementing (the offense)."

Indiana’s opponents have scored just seven offensive touchdowns in nine games this season, and no one has scored multiple offensive touchdowns since Old Dominion scored two in Week 1. Maryland had no answers for Indiana’s defense for most of the game.

This defense embarrases offenses weekly, regardless of the competition. If Indiana continues to limit what opposing offenses can do, it will compete against any team in the country.

Indiana heads to Penn State (3-5, 0-5 Big Ten) next week. With three games left in the regular season, the Hoosiers will continue their quest for a Big Ten championship and the first national championship in program history.