IU Slays the Scarlet Knights 47-15

For the first time in the 2026 season, the Indiana Hoosiers hit the road. The #6 Hoosiers (5-0) traveled to New Jersey to battle the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (1-4) at SHI Stadium and put forth their most complete performance of the season in a 47-15 victory. IU got nearly whatever they wanted on offense and the defense had yet another first half shutout (fourth in five games). Rutgers was able to find a bit of offensive success after trailing 37-0 but on “Blackout Night” for the Scarlet Knights, the Hoosiers were lights out and rolled to a comfortable victory. Indiana has now won 21 games in a row. That streak is the third-longest in the Big Ten since 1970.

HOW IT HAPPENED FOR THE HOOSIERS

• I felt it was important for IU to get Josh Hoover into a rhythm and Mike Shanahan made sure that came to fruition. With the Scarlet Knights’ secondary giving a big cushion to IU’s receiver, Hoover started 10-10 and went on to have his best game as a Hoosier. He finished 20 of 27 for 251 yards with four touchdowns. The deep ball that hit Charlie Becker in stride was particularly good to see. He still has zero turnovers this season.
• I believe it is safe to say that Turbo Richard is healthy. He ran the ball seven times for 148 yards in the first half and finished with 204 yards on 13 carries. Beebe added 122 yards as the Hoosiers did whatever they wanted on the ground. Credit to tight ends Brock Schott and Trevor Gibbs. Each had noticeable good blocks to help spring long runs.
• Indiana has now played five games. The defense has four first-half shutouts. Keep in mind, Rutgers scored 35 points against USC just two weeks ago.
• This was the first time a Big Ten team has had a pair of 100-yard rushers and 100-yard receivers in the same game since 2014: Charlie Becker, Nick Marsh, Lee Beebe and Turbo Richard with the honors for the Hoosiers.
• For the first time in 170 attempts, Nico Radicic missed an extra point. IU’s kicker was also unsuccessful on a short field goal attempt but he did connect on a 48-yard attempt late in the game.

Standout Stats from IU’s Blowout Win

• Indiana continues to be dominant on the ground: 331 yards rushing with 8.7 yards per carry
• Turbo Richard: 13 carries for 204 yards/Lee Beebe: 18 carries for 122 yards
• Charlie Becker: 8 catches for 107 yards/Nick Marsh: 7 catches for 120 yards
• The two teams combined for only one accepted penalty
• Indiana’s defense had six tackles for loss and four sacks with Tobi Osunsanmi and Stephen Daley leading the way
• Indiana outgained Rutgers 593-254

What’s Next?

Indiana remains on the road but the test next Saturday will be much stiffer. The Hoosiers taken on 5-0 Nebraska in Lincoln in what could be a battle of ranked unbeatens.