Indiana Falls to Rutgers

Saturday, November 13

Bloomington, Ind.

Noon

Indiana University

2-8 , 0-7

Rutgers

5-5 , 2-5

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Rutgers

Indiana

11/13/2021 3:30:00 PM | Football

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Postgame Notes Postgame Quotes Watch | Tom Allen Postgame Press Conference WATCH | Donaven McCulley Postgame Press Conference WATCH | Micah McFadden Postgame Press Conference

By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – What do you say when a winnable game is lost in blowout fashion, when turnovers mount, missed opportunities multiply and frustration reaches the breaking point?

How do you find the right words, if you're Indiana head coach Tom Allen, to address Saturday's 38-3 loss to Rutgers (5-5) that dropped the Hoosiers' record to 2-8 and added more adversity to a season that didn't need it?

"There are not many positives to say," he said. "It was a disappointing and frustrating performance. We'll evaluate it, address it, and move on."

And then …

"That's not how we practice. It has not been that way all week.

"I expect us to be strong and finish out this year. Play to our standard. That's our responsibility. We let the circumstance drive our energy and effort. That's not how it works. We can't let it become the driving force."

And finally …

"It's not acceptable. We have to find a way to finish the last two games, play with toughness and fight."

What do you say when you're All-America linebacker Micah McFadden and you contemplate how a season that began with a Top-20 national ranking turns out this way?

"It's a combination of a lot of things," he said. "Injuries have affected us. Guys could have prepared harder. We could have put more effort through fall camp to get everybody's mind ready for the season and the opponents we play."

One thing is clear, eliminating turnovers -- Indiana had two interceptions and four lost fumbles -- is crucial.

It started on the game's first play, when quarterback Donaven McCulley fumbled the snap, Rutgers recovered and scored a touchdown a few plays later.

"The fumble on the first play set a tone," Allen said. "We never snapped out of it."

Added McCulley: "You can't start the game like that. It set the tone for rest of the game."

Jack Tuttle's return didn't solve IU's season-long quarterback problem. He was 5-for-10 for 26 yards and two interceptions before getting reinjured. He had missed the previous two games with a foot injury.

McCulley, who started the game, played into the fourth quarter. He finished 7-for-20 for 98 yards.

"Jack made progress each day," Allen said. "We knew Donaven would be the starter. We felt Jack would be able to play. We'd see how he did. How the foot held up.

"We expected both to play. Based on how they did, we'd gage it from there.

"That position, like all positions, has to play better."

Walk-on Grant Gremel finished the game. He was 6-for-12 for 53 yards.

"It wasn't what Rutgers did," McCulley said about his struggles. "I need to throw better passes. I need to put the receivers in position to make plays. I didn't do that."

The learning curve for a true freshman expected to redshirt remains steep. He's completing less than 50 percent of his passes.

"You've got to keep pushing," McCulley said. "It will get hard. Life will be hard. Keep fighting. Keep pushing."

With tailback Stephen Carr sidelined by injury, Tuttle was IU's leading rusher with 16 yards on three carries.

Losing linebacker Cam Jones to illness was another blow.

"He's another guy we needed out there," Allen said.

Losing Jones created defensive vulnerability Rutgers exploited, although the Hoosiers had defensive moments to build on.

The Scarlet Knights had eight first-half possessions. In seven of them, they totaled 63 yards. In the other, they had 70.

That was enough, thanks to four Hoosier turnovers (2 fumbles, 2 interceptions), to generate 17 points.

Still, IU had a second-half chance if it could avoid turnovers.

It couldn't.

Ty Fryfogle fumbled a punt on the Hoosier 10-yard line a couple of minutes into the third quarter. Rutgers recovered and scored a touchdown on the next play for a 24-3 lead.

A sixth-straight loss followed.

"We have to stick together," McFadden said. "We can't worry about who's sick or hurt. Whoever is on the field, those are the guys who have to perform."

Hoosier frustration peaked when safety Devon Matthews and tight end Peyton Hendershot got into it on the sidelines. Allen was there and it was quickly resolved.

"They are frustrated," Allen said. "They want to win. We are not playing the way we expected. They are highly competitive guys. They made it right.

"Sometimes that's part of the process. As a man, you confront it and press on."

IU woes began immediately.

McCulley botched the snap for a fumble six seconds into the game. Rutgers recovered and quickly converted for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead.

David Holloman's 32-yard return on the ensuing kickoff was followed by a McCulley completion of 11 yards to tight end Matt Bjorson and a 13-yard Fryfogle run. The drive ended on Charles Campbell's missed 34-yard field goal.

Tuttle came in on the next Indiana possession, but one overthrown pass, one short completion, and a recovered fumble later, the Hoosiers punted.

Rutgers drove 70 yards for a 14-0 lead. A Tuttle interception led to a 38-yard Scarlet Knight field goal and a 17-0 lead.

A promising Hoosier drive ended with a second Tuttle interception. He hobbled off the field and McCulley replaced him.

A 46-yard McCulley to Fryfogle pass in the closing seconds of the half set up Campbell's 47-yard field goal for a 17-3 halftime score

Rutgers added an early third-quarter touchdown following Fryfogle's fumbled punt return, then another just before the quarter ended, then another midway through the fourth quarter for the final 38-3 score.

"I've got to play better," McCulley said. "The receivers need to play better. The O-line needs to play better. Everybody needs to play better."

Two games remain -- at home next Saturday against Minnesota and at Purdue on Nov. 27 -- before December's Signing Day and a rigorous program evaluation.

"It's not even close to what we want it to be," Allen said. "It's something we have to look at, and we will. At this point, we're trying to win these last two games.

"When you have a season like this, you take a hard look at every part of the program. Myself included."