Hoosiers Hang on for 24-17 Win at Rutgers

Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)

Despite a poor second half and some nervy moments in the fourth quarter, the Indiana Hoosiers did enough to leave Piscataway with a 24-17 victory and a 4-1 record. IU was without Whop Philyor, Luke Timian, Jacob Robinson, Cam Jones and Marcelino Ball (for the first half) but Rutgers made several mistakes that showed why they are now just 1-4 on the season. The Hoosiers have now won three in a row against the Scarlet Knights.

Indiana’s defense started the game well, appearing to force a three and out without allowing a yard. However, Dameon Willis was called for a roughing the passer penalty on third down and Rutgers took advantage of the second chance. Raheem Blackshear broke free for a long run and Art Sitkowski found Shameen Jones in the end zone for an 11 yard touchdown pass on third and nine. The Scarlet Knights drew first blood but the Hoosiers responded quickly. Much like the Rutgers drive, IU’s first drive was aided by defensive penalties. A pass interference and a defensive holding helped the Hoosiers get inside the 20 and Stevie Scott broke a tackle and thundered into the end zone from 16 yards out to tie the score at 7. The Hoosiers forced Rutgers to punt on their second possession, taking over at the 12 yard line. IU methodically worked its way down the field before a wild sequence unfolded, beginning with the third and goal play. Stevie Scott caught a screen pass and stretched to reach the ball into the end zone. The ball popped out of his possession and was recovered by Rutgers as the first quarter came to a close. After review, it was determined that Scott was down at the one-half yard line and the Hoosiers went for it on fourth and goal. Peyton Ramsey dove into the end zone with a defender wrapped around his waist and another review confirmed the score as IU went ahead 14-7. Rutgers was again forced to punt, going three and out. The Hoosiers offense had found its rhythm and they went ten plays for 68 yards and Ramsey connected with J-Shun Harris for a short touchdown that gave IU a 21-7 lead. Rutgers found a bit of rhythm and worked their way to the Indiana 8-yard line but the drive was foiled by an impressive interception in the end zone by true freshman Jamar Johnson. IU drove into Rutgers territory and Logan Justus nailed a 44-yard field goal to put the Hoosiers ahead 24-7 at the end of the first half.

The second half was a much different story as the Hoosiers appeared content with simply protecting their lead. Both offenses sputtered through the third quarter as neither threatened to put points on the board. IU was simply burning the clock when Stevie Scott made a critical error, fumbling the ball to give Rutgers some life. The Scarlet Knights took advantage of the turnover, running a trick play for a large chunk of yardage and then punching it in from one-yard out to make the score 24-14. The Hoosiers moved the ball well but Donavan Hale had a pass knocked out of his hands on third down and their fourth down attempt was a curious fade pass to J-Shun Harris that was intercepted. Rutgers converted a long fourth down to keep their drive alive and ultimately hit a 52-yard field goal to cut the score to 24-17 with 3:52 left in the contest. The Hoosiers faced a fourth and one and lined up to attempt to draw Rutgers offsides. The Scarlet Knights acquiesced as a defensive end jumped off and gave IU a free play. Ramsey completed a deep pass and the penalty was declined, giving Indiana a first down and the 24-17 victory.

Despite a very poor second half, the Hoosiers put up 451 yards to Rutgers 291 and the Hoosiers held the ball for nearly 35 minutes of the contest. Peyton Ramsey was mostly very good during this game, completing 27 of 40 passes for 288 yards with a touchdown and rushing for 51 yards with a touchdown. For a short-handed offense, Artur Sitkowski was 18 for 35 for only 154 yards as the Indiana secondary did a nice job of limiting their success through the air. The victory moves Indiana to 4-1 (1-1) as they travel to Columbus to play the Ohio State Buckeyes prior to hosting the Iowa Hawkeyes for Homecoming on October 13.