Hoosiers Survive Sloppy Contest for 33-27 Victory

Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)

For the better part of three quarters, the Indiana Hoosiers did everything they possibly could to hand the game to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. They had four turnovers, turned it over downs, missed two extra points and had a pair of field goals blocked. However, IU's defense kept them alive through the mistakes and the Hoosiers scored 20 unanswered points to storm back for a critical 33-27 victory that improved them to 5-4 on the season. They now need just one more victory to become eligible for a second straight bowl game. 

The Hoosiers were led by Richard Lagow on offense as he completed 28 of 40 passes for 394 yards and three touchdowns. He threw back-to-back interceptions in the second quarter but Lagow ultimately made some very nice deep throws and settled in for a big day against a Rutgers secondary that had been the second-best in the Big Ten in opponent's pass efficiency.

The game started incredibly well for the Indiana Hoosiers as Tegray Scales sacked Rutgers' Giovanni Rescigno on third down to force a punt and Zander Diamont scampered for a 59-yard touchdown on his first carry. However, on the next play, Marcelino Ball got turned around on a deep route by Andre Patton and the Scarlet Knights tied the game with a 68-yard touchdown completion. The Hoosiers quickly answered as Ricky Jones caught a slant pass, bounced off a tackler and kept his balance to run away from the defense and into the end zone for a 36-yard touchdown. IU's special teams woes continued as the extra point was missed and the score was 13-7. A 32-yard field goal from Rutgers made the score 13-10 and IU advanced into scoring territory before Griffin Oakes had his first field goal attempt blocked by the Scarlet Knights. IU's next possession resulted in a nice drive but, once again, they stalled inside of the red zone as Richard Lagow threw his first interception of the contest. Rutgers went nowhere but Lagow was picked off on the first play of the next drive. However, the Scarlet Knights missed their 32-yard field goal attempt to keep the score at 13-10. Indiana's Zander Diamont fumbled on a run to the outside and Darnell Davis scooped the ball off the turf and ran it in for the go-ahead score. The Scarlet Knights led 17-13 at the half.

The second half began much as the first half ended as Devonte Williams fumbled the opening kickoff and Rutgers began at the IU 22. Giovanni Rescigno ran it in a few plays later to put the Scarlet Knights ahead 24-13. IU's bowl hopes looked to be dead in the water. After yet another field goal attempt that was blocked, the Hoosiers Richard Lagow lofted a pass into the end zone and Camion Patrick leaped over a defender for his first career touchdown, a 40-yard score that made it 24-20. Rutgers was forced into another three and out but Griffin Oakes missed another field goal to keep the deficit at four. The locked-in Hoosiers defense forced yet another three and out and Devine Redding burst through the Rutgers defense for a 34-yard score that put IU ahead for good. The extra point was botched as Joseph Gedeon dropped the hold and IU led 26-24. Indiana's defense continued to hold the Rutgers offense in check as they struggled to even get a first down. After a few opportunities for the IU attack to slam the door shut on Rutgers, Richard Lagow connected with Devine Redding on a wide-open screen pass to make it 33-24. Rutgers added a field goal very late but the Hoosiers recovered the onside kick and the Hoosiers escaped Piscataway with the victory. 

The Hoosiers were fortunate to be playing Rutgers today because a better team would have punished them for so many sloppy mistakes. Still, the defense deserves credit for holding Rutgers to 2.7 yards per carry and keeping IU in the game while the offense sputtered. In addition, IU settled in when it mattered most and played a much cleaner final 25 minutes of the contest to get the victory. They outgained Rutgers 567-351 and held Rutgers to only 1-16 on third down. While it was tense and much closer than it should have been, the Hoosiers did just enough to get the victory and they now need just one more win to return to a bowl game.