Hoosiers Roast Rutgers: One Win to Go

Chris Covington (4) and Gavin Everett (69) celebrate a big defensive stop Image: Sammy Jacobs (Hoosier Huddle)

Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)

Despite a lengthy weather delay that prolonged the contest by more than 90 minutes, Indiana's fans, coaches and players will be more than happy as they dominated Rutgers 41-0 and moved within one win of bowl eligibility. IU has now won back to back Big Ten games and this victory came in authoritative fashion. The Hoosiers ran for 267 yards and put up 503 yards of offense compared to the Scarlet Knights' 186.

The game began incredibly well for IU as Rutgers bobbled a punt that Rashard Fant scooped up at the five yard line. Morgan Ellison ran it in on the next play and the Hoosiers led 7-0. Rutgers was forced to punt and Richard Lagow found Ian Thomas wide open in the seam for a 57 yard touchdown pass that gave Indiana a 14-0 lead they would never even think about relenting. The Hoosiers nearly scored another pair of touchdowns but had to settle for field goals and took a 20-0 lead into the locker room. Indiana played their best 30 minutes of the season and completely controlled the action. Things continued in the second half as Greg Gooch forced a fumble on a sack of Giovanni Rescigno and Tony Fields fell on the ball at the Rutgers 24. Richard Lagow connected with Luke Timian for a 20 yard score to put the Hoosiers ahead 27-0. IU got the ball back and turned to their ground game, pounding Rutgers with an 11 play drive that featured 11 running plays and ended with Morgan Ellison's second touchdown of the contest. The weather turned from bad to worse as lightning forced a weather delay with 2:31 to play in the third quarter.

After the delay, IU continued to dominate as Cole Gest scampered in for a touchdown to put the Hoosiers ahead 41-0. Rutgers nearly ruined the shutout but Zeke Walker broke up a pass in the end zone to preserve a perfect Senior Day for Tom Allen's troops. Morgan Ellison had 149 yards and two touchdowns and Cole Gest added 104 yards with a score to pace the IU attack. The defense, led by a number of senior contributors had another banner day and the Hoosiers are now one win over Purdue away from improbably reaching a bowl game for the third straight season.