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Rapid Reaction: Rutgers stifles Indiana, overcomes early 14-point deficit in Week 8 win
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Final Score: Rutgers 24, Indiana 17
Brief Recap: To open the game, Rutgers looked like it might get outclassed at home by the visiting Hoosiers. Indiana exploded with 14 points in the first quarter and appeared primed for a dominant outing.
The scoring started on the game’s opening kickoff with Jaylin Lucas going all the way for an electric return touchdown for the Hosiers. After forcing an early punt from the Scarlet Knights, the Indiana offense went to work for the first time in the game.
On that drive, Connor Bazelak and the Hoosiers were efficient. Bazelak led the unit 91 yards for another touchdown to make it 14-0 early.
Unfortunately for the Hoosiers, that is when Rutgers’ defense woke up. Not counting the end of half possession, the Scarlet Knights forced 7 straight punts, including 3 straight 3-and-outs to open the second half.
Indiana finally found its footing and moved into field goal range at one point, a kick that would have tied the game at 17-all. That 52-yard try by Charles Campbell sailed wide.
After playing field position to pin Indiana back, Rutgers capitalized on a key miscue by Bazelak. He threw an ill-advised pass out of the end zone right into the hands of Christian Braswell who returned it easily for a pick-6.
While Indiana did not go quietly over the final 4 minutes of the game, Braswell’s clutch defensive touchdown effectively iced the game for Rutgers.
Key Player: Samuel Brown V. Brown — a true freshman running back for the Knights — rolled to the first 100-yard game of his career. He was leaned on heavily by Rutgers with 28 carries for 101 yards and a touchdown.
While Sean Ryan had some electric catches — and it was great to have a productive outing from QB Noah Vedral — it was the work of Brown that allowed the Scarlet Knights to grind things out.
Key Moment: Clinging to a 3-point lead late in the game, Rutgers landed a surprise chance to put the game away. Then, Bazelak’s ill-timed pass provided the Scarlet Knights a chance to put the nail in the coffin.
With Braswell’s pick-6, the Scarlet Knights went up by 10 points and made it a two-possession game with time fading quickly.
Key Stat: 2-for-12, Indiana’s third-down efficiency in the game. After such a hot start, it was hard to forecast things falling flat for the Hoosiers. However, the Rutgers defense rose to the occasion and consistently forced Indiana to punt away as the Scarlet Knights dominated control of the game from the second quarter on.
What it means moving forward: Rutgers lands its first B1G win of the season and moves into a winning record at 4-3. Meanwhile, the Hoosiers fall to 4-4 overall (1-4 in conference play) and last place in the B1G East.
Indiana’s shot at a bowl game is likely put to bed, but the Scarlet Knights will try to win 2 games down the stretch for a postseason birth.
Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.