After a Dormant Few Weeks Stevie Scott Leads a Hoosier Running Game Resurgence

Stevie Scott has stepped into his role as starting running back well. Image: Sammy Jacobs Hoosier Huddle

Written By Lauralys Shallow 

Days before Indiana’s season opening game at Florida International University, it was announced that Morgan Ellison, Indiana’s leading rusher from 2017, was suspended indefinitely. While losing Ellison raised concerns, redshirt sophomore Cole Gest, the second-leading rusher from 2017, would assume the starting role while Ronnie Walker Jr., Mike Majette and Stevie Scott would also be utilized in the running game. After just five carries into his 2018 season, Gest left the field early in the second quarter, and it was confirmed he tore his ACL.

Panic mode might be an exaggeration, but Indiana lost its two top running backs before it even got through the first half of the first game of the season, and it was certainly time for IU to worry.

It was also time for Scott. The true freshman ended the game as IU’s leading rusher with 71 yards and contributed to IU’s 38-28 victory. Even in his limited carries in the opening game, it was apparent Scott had tremendous size and speed, and he was able to run through contact and after contact. The following week in his first game as a starter, Scott ran for 205 yards to lead IU to a 20-16 win over Virginia. In his second career game, Scott was just three yards shy of Indiana’s single-game freshman rushing record.

After Scott’s breakout game, it was obvious that IU found a replacement for Ellison and Gest: “I thought he had something different about him,” IU Head Coach Tom Allen said of Scott. “And then when he got to camp and we started watching him run I’m like, yeah, this guy is going to be alright.”

Scott is currently fifth in the Big Ten conference in rushing. Through eight games of his freshman campaign, Scott has 695 yards for six touchdowns and averages 4.9 yards per carry and 86.9 yards per game. The Big Ten East is arguably the toughest division in college football, and Scott is a top five back overall and the top freshman back in the conference. Even more impressive, he leads the nation in carries for true freshmen, he's second in the country in yards for true freshmen and second in 100-yard games for true freshmen, according to Allen at Monday’s press conference.

Scott had his best performance against a conference opponent in IU’s most recent matchup against Penn State. Scott led all rushers with 138 yards, and he had two touchdowns and averaged 5.2 yards per carry. The true freshman had 26 carries, which is his second highest on the season and the highest number of carries he has had against a Big Ten team.

“I think that's a reasonable amount, you know, not too much, not too little,” Allen said. “He's got the strength and the stamina to be able to take those hits and because of the way he's built and I just think that he's got the frame for it and can handle that workload.”

Scott has been a workhorse for IU this season, and it was good to see him have his best conference game so far this year against a ranked Penn State. Indiana is going to continue to rely heavily on Scott in its remaining matchups against Minnesota, Maryland, Michigan and Purdue. A successful running game these last four games could be the difference in IU making a bowl game. While it remains unclear if IU will make a bowl game, it is very clear that Scott has a promising career ahead. Behind Scott, fellow freshman Ronnie Walker is quietly putting together a nice season. In five appearances this season, Walker has toted the rock 25 times for 133 yards and two scores. If he can hold onto the ball, Walker can be the lightning to Stevie Scott’s thunder.