Yikes. Well that second half was uh, interesting. It got a little dicey down the stretch, but nonetheless, Indiana holds on for the win 24-17 over Rutgers in gorgeous Piscataway. It might not have been pretty, it might not have been what Indiana fans expected, but the Hoosiers get the job done and move to 4-1 for the first time since 2015. Let's react:
Ball Security, Or Lack Thereof
Part of the reason why probably many Hoosier fans even stayed tuned in to the 4th quarter of this one at all. Though Scott's miscue in the first half was saved by an official review, taking care of the ball with a lead (in the second half) is imperative, and that third quarter turnover was a scare. Still, that's a freshman being a freshman, which Scott just hasn't looked like at all as in his performances up to this point. Luckily for Indiana, Rutgers couldn't turn that third quarter play into any points. While Stevie Scott got things going once again on the ground to an extent this week for IU, seeing a couple come loose today in Piscataway was surely a bit unsettling and something you can bet Tom Allen will harp on next week.
Run The Ball (Better)
If one thing was clear headed to Rutgers, it was that the Hoosiers had no choice but to change the rhetoric about the run game, after last weekend's less dull performance. That changed quick, as Stevie Scott exceeded last week's total on today's first drive, capping it all off in a score to put Indiana ahead early. While Scott carried the load once again, Peyton Ramsey pitched in nicely, and Ronnie Walker Jr. got some well deserved carries too. Again, Indiana fans are reminded that building this position group and watching it evolve over the remainder of 2018 will be a process.
Peyton Can Pass! (And run a little, too)
I would've been disappointed if Peyton Ramsey hadn't taken some shots downfield the way he did this afternoon. From the get-go today, Ramsey worked to find the likes of Hale and Westbrook on slants over the middle of the field. Even Ty Fryfogle got involved. With the expectation that Westbrook would be open the majority of the day against Rutgers' secondary, Ramsey capitalized. Ramsey finishes the day 27-of-40 with 288 yards and a touchdown.
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