BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana put its foot on UCLA’s neck from the very beginning and never let up. 

On the game’s first play from scrimmage, Indiana defensive lineman Tyrique Tucker sacked UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava. On the next play, defensive lineman Stephen Daley twisted Iamaleava sideways as he threw, and Iamaleava’s pass went straight into the hands of Indiana linebacker Aiden Fisher, who returned it 25 yards for a pick six.

"We wanted to start fast," Tucker said. "And we went out there and achieved that, so that was good."

That opening sequence was a sign of things to come, as No. 2 Indiana (8-0, 5-0 Big Ten) trounced UCLA (3-5, 3-2 Big Ten), 56-6. The Hoosiers never trailed against a Bruins team that entered Saturday on a three-game winning streak. Indiana coach Curt Cignetti remains unbeaten at home in his two seasons in Bloomington.

Indiana’s defense lived in the UCLA backfield. The Hoosiers finished the afternoon with three sacks and seven tackles for losses. Indiana led the Big Ten in both categories entering the week, and it continued to flex its dominance at the line of scrimmage. UCLA’s offensive line could not consistently protect the quarterback or open many holes against this ferocious Hoosier defense.

Without defensive end Kellan Wyatt and with Fisher sitting out more than half the game as a precaution with a knee issue, Indiana still created chaos for UCLA. Tucker had 2.5 tackles for losses and 1.5 sacks as the standout performer on Indiana’s defensive line.

"It was a big platform against a team that was hot," Cignetti said following the game. "We wanted to be physical and dominate the line of scrimmage, (and) I thought we did early in the game."

Indiana’s run game was phenomenal offensively. The Hoosiers rushed for 262 yards and 5.6 yards per carry. Both of Indiana’s lead running backs — Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black — had at least 70 yards on the ground. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza added a season-high 45 rushing yards and a touchdown for the Hoosiers. 

Mendoza, who is a Heisman candidate, didn’t have to do much through the air for the Hoosiers to be victorious. He threw for a season-low 168 yards, but he recovered from being intercepted on Indiana’s opening drive on a tipped ball with three touchdown passes. Mendoza did not play in the fourth quarter.

Fisher, the captain and All-Big Ten linebacker, exited after the Hoosiers had already opened up a double-digit lead. Cignetti called Fisher’s sidelining “precautionary” when asked about it on FOX’s broadcast of the game.

Fisher entered Saturday tied with safety Louis Moore for the most tackles on Indiana with 48. He was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week two weeks ago after having 13 tackles at Oregon. The Hoosiers have aspirations of winning the Big Ten and national championship, and they’ll need Fisher at full strength.

With a month left in the regular season, Indiana will be heavily favored in each of its last four regular-season matchups. Every team left on Indiana’s schedule has a losing record in Big Ten play. The Hoosiers are in search of their first undefeated regular season ever and first Big Ten championship since 1967. 

Since the Big Ten championship game began in 2011, Indiana has never played in it. With No. 1 Ohio State (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten) on a bye this week, Indiana currently stands alone atop the Big Ten standings.

After back-to-back home games, Indiana goes back on the road to face Maryland (4-3, 1-3 Big Ten) next week. Maryland is on a bye after it lost 20-17 against this same UCLA team last week. The Terrapins are on a three-game losing streak after starting the year 4-0.