Indiana RB Stevie Scott Excited for a “Dream Come True” Opportunity

Written By: Nate Comp (@NathanComp1)

The list of career achievements for Stevie Scott in his time with Indiana is lengthy.

The career 2,000-yard rusher has made the second team All-Big Ten team the last two seasons, been a member of the Maxwell Award and Doak Walker Award watch lists over the same time frame, and is second in the Big Ten in rushing touchdowns, total TDs, and rushing yards among active players. Despite a difficult go on the ground for all the Hoosier running backs this year, Scott has eight touchdowns over the seven games and has scored in 16 of his last 23 starts.

Not too bad, for the 3-star recruit out of Syracuse that most schools were recruiting as a linebacker.

There’s one part of his game that is not yet etched in the Indiana record books, however, and it’s a bit surprising considering how decorated of a player he is: Scott has not yet played in a bowl game. After the team fell short of postseason play in his freshman season, Scott was unable to strap up in last year’s Gator Bowl due to injury. This year, he’ll be active and ready to prove himself.

“I definitely am very excited,” said Scott. “I cannot wait. It is like a dream come true for me playing in a bowl game, possibly being able to make history and get us a bowl win.”

Scott knows how important it is for Indiana to be a part of bowl season at all, despite the disappointing result of not being included in the New Years Six group of games.

“We were definitely bummed about what happened with the New Years Six game and all that, but we’ve just kinda used that as fuel to the fire. We all decided let’s just play this Ole Miss game and show the world that it doesn’t matter what adversity we have to face, we’re just gonna go out there and do what we have to do to get the job done.”

Now, he is focused on making history once again. His sights are set on ending Indiana’s streak of five consecutive postseason losses.

“We have not won a bowl game in 29 years, so being able to play this week and help my team to possibly get a W this week will definitely be an amazing feeling.”

Last year’s Gator Bowl collapse still leaves a bitter taste in his mouth, even more so knowing that he was stuck on the sidelines with no way to help stop what was unfolding in front of him.

“Last year, just being out there and watching my team, and not being out there making plays I know I can make to help this team move the ball and create opportunities for other teammates, it was definitely hard to watch.”

And as talented of a player as he is, arguably his greatest asset is how selfless he has been throughout his entire career. He’s never shied away from the dirty work of being a starting running back in the Big Ten, whether that be spending the extra hours on the Jugs machine to be more of a threat in the passing game or buckling down and becoming the team’s best pass protecting tailback.

He’ll do anything to help his team achieve what has always been his biggest goal: win games. And that’s exactly what he plans on doing once again this Saturday, just like he does every Saturday.

Although this time, it’ll be in a bowl game.

“I can’t be any more excited to go out there with my brothers this weekend and perform and cap off a great season.”

The No. 7 Hoosiers take on the Ole Miss Rebels in the Outback Bowl on January 2nd at 12:30pm ET in Tampa, Florida.