Indiana University
5-4 , 3-3
Rutgers
2-7 , 0-6
Defense, Passing Game Propel IU to Victory over Rutgers
11/5/2016 4:05:00 PM | Football
IUHoosiers.com
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Indiana came into the game knowing the importance of a road win. A 33-27 victory over Rutgers gave the Hoosiers (5-4, 3-3) their second straight Big Ten East triumph.
Quarterback Richard Lagow started the game on fire, connecting on 14 of his first 16 passing attempts, including a 36-yard touchdown to Ricky Jones. Lagow finished with 394 yards on 28 completions in 40 and three touchdowns, his third three-TD game.
The defense was able to hold the Rutgers (2-7, 0-6) dormant for the majority of the final three quarters. On the Scarlet Knights' final 15 drives, IU held RU to 203 yards on 59 plays (3.4 average). Of those 15 drives, 11 of them resulted in a three-and-out, which included seven consecutive.
Zander Diamont opened up the scoring with a 59-yard scamper down the sideline, his third career 50-plus yard score. Diamont took a handoff around right tackle and sprinted untouched into the end zone.
Defensive coordinator Tom Allen was worried about Giovanni Rescigno's ability to hit the deep shots off of play-action. Rescigno did just that on the Scarlet Knights second drive of the game on a 68-yard TD heave on Rutgers first play from scrimmage.
A pair off Hoosier turnovers led to 14 points for the Scarlet Knights, giving them a 24-13 lead in the third quarter.
Offensive coordinator Kevin Johns has been looking for his wide receivers to win more one-on-one plays. Today, the wideouts stood up to that challenge. Camion Patrick came up with an incredible touchdown grab in the third quarter. Lagow lofted a pass to the front pylon of the end zone and Patrick outleaped the defender to haul in the 40-yard touchdown reception, bringing the Hoosiers within four points.
Devine Redding's 34-yard touchdown late in the third quarter gave Indiana a 26-24 lead it would not relinquish. Redding also hauled in a 10-yard TD reception to secure the victory.
Indiana will be back at home next weekend against Big Ten East foe Penn State. Kick time will be determined following Saturday's full schedule.
Team Stats
IND 7, RU 0
IND - Diamont, Zander 59 yd run (Oakes, Griffin kick), 4 plays, 71 yards, TOP 1:13
IND 7, RU 7
RU - Patton, Andre 68 yd pass from Rescigno, G. (Bonagura, David kick) 1 plays, 68 yards, TOP 0:10
IND 13, RU 7
IND - Jones, Ricky 36 yd pass from Lagow, Richard (Oakes, Griffin kickfailed) 5 plays, 85 yards, TOP 1:10
IND 13, RU 10
RU - Bonagura, David 32 yd field goal 9 plays, 61 yards, TOP 3:20
IND 13, RU 17
RU - Davis, Darnell 75 yd fumble recovery (Bonagura, David kick)
IND 13, RU 24
RU - Rescigno, G. 1 yd run (Bonagura, David kick), 4 plays, 21 yards, TOP 1:05
IND 20, RU 24
IND - Patrick, Camion 40 yd pass from Lagow, Richard (Oakes, Griffin kick) 3 plays, 58 yards, TOP 0:53
IND 26, RU 24
IND - Redding, Devine 34 yd run (Oakes, Griffin rushfailed), 2 plays, 53 yards, TOP 0:22
IND 33, RU 24
IND - Redding, Devine 10 yd pass from Lagow, Richard (Oakes, Griffin kick) 9 plays, 48 yards, TOP 4:38
IND 33, RU 27
RU - Bonagura, David 20 yd field goal 8 plays, 83 yards, TOP 1:03
