Friday, September 8th, 2023 | Indiana, PA - On a night where the Indiana community came out to Andy Kuzneski field to salute the heroes and support the Indiana football team, they were in for a performance of the ages from Sophomore running back Levi Porter. The Indians ultimately topped Shady Side Academy on Friday night with a score of 31-21. 

Supported by a hungry offensive line comprised of Carson Beatty, Colden Augustine, Ben Cochran, Isaac Nygren and Jonny Wyant, Levi Porter piled up 243 rushing yards coupled by four rushing touchdowns on just 23 carries. Porter also had four receptions for 58 yards. Porter's 243 yards on the ground ranks 4th most all-time in Indiana history for rushing yards in a single game. 

Indiana dominated the first quarter with a well-balanced, sustained drive to start the game. Porter had two 20-yard runs on the first drive, and the drive was capped off by a 4-yard TD run, his first of the day. Defensively, Carson Beatty came up with a big 3rd down sack. Shady Side QB Devin Harris was under duress all night and was unable to make his reads. With the ball back, Indiana executed a QB sneak on 4th and 1 at the end of the first quarter to set themselves up with a first and goal.

The second quarter started with an illegal procedure on Indiana followed up with a strip/fumble/score by SSA's Grant Dickey. The momentum swung back to Indiana when Dickey was called for intentional grounding from his own end zone resulting in a safety. After Porter's second TD of the game, this one from 58 yards, Indiana was up 16-7 and in control of the game. That control was short lived when SSA's Deacon Durham ran back the following kick-off 90 yards spinning out of a few tackles for the score. Porter and Indiana answered back with another 3 yard TD in the second quarter to put the Indians up 23-14 heading into half-time.

Both teams came out of halftime sluggish battling for field position with Indiana determined to keep the ball away from the athletic Durham. The scoring drought was broken by Porter's fourth TD of the game, a 9 yard scamper. The Bulldogs would not go away as they started to find some success in the passing game with multiple first downs gained through the air finally scoring on a 9 yard TD pass from Harris to Carter Bonner. SSA attempted an onside kick unsuccessfully in the final moments, but Indiana was able to maintain possession and run the ball to close out the game.

Quarterback Trevor Smith had a quiet game for his standards as he went 8-11 passing with 87 yards in the air. Anthony Kowchuck grabbed three passes for 38 yards. 

Up Next
Indiana hosts Mars this Friday (9/15) for their first section matchup of the year. Kickoff scheduled for 7PM.

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