Halftime: No. 6 Indiana Dominates Rutgers 23-0, But Goal-Line and Kicking Concerns Remain

PISCATAWAY, N.J. — No. 6 Indiana leads Rutgers 23-0 at halftime, and the numbers show a game the Hoosiers have controlled almost completely through 30 minutes.

Indiana rolled up 349 yards of total offense in the first half compared with just 118 for Rutgers. The Hoosiers rushed for 190 yards, threw for 159 and averaged an explosive 10.0 yards per play. Rutgers managed only four first downs and 3.8 yards per snap.

Richard’s Return Gives Indiana Its Explosiveness Back

The biggest offensive development was the return of Turbo Richard. After dealing with the high ankle sprain suffered against Northwestern, Richard looked anything but limited. He carried seven times for 148 yards and a touchdown, including a 57-yard run, averaging 21.1 yards per carry.

Lee Beebe Jr., a game-time decision during the week, added 54 yards on nine attempts. Together Richard and Beebe produced 202 rushing yards on 16 carries.

One Problem Hasn’t Gone Away: Inside the 5

For all of Indiana’s rushing success, one concern continues to show itself: running the football in tight quarters near the goal line. The Hoosiers again had difficulty creating movement inside the 5-yard line and ultimately had to turn to the passing game, with Josh Hoover finding Devan Chandler for a touchdown.

That is worth watching going forward. Indiana can create explosive runs between the 20s, but when the field compresses and defenses can commit extra bodies to the box, the Hoosiers have not consistently generated the same push. Indiana even used jumbo personnel near the goal line against Northwestern last week, another indication that short-yardage offense remains an area the staff is working to solve.

Hoover Efficient, Marsh Over 100

Hoover was sharp throughout the half, completing 14 of 17 passes for 159 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Nick Marsh was the primary beneficiary, catching five passes for 103 yards and a touchdown.

Indiana’s ability to combine an explosive running game with Hoover’s efficiency has left Rutgers without a comfortable defensive answer.

Special Teams Leaves Points Behind

If there is another blemish on an otherwise dominant half, it is the kicking game. Indiana kicker Radovich missed an extra point and also missed a very makeable field-goal opportunity. Those are points Indiana can afford to leave on the field against Rutgers while leading comfortably, but they become much more significant in a one-possession game against the better teams remaining on the schedule.

Indiana’s Defensive Front Owns the Game

The most dominant unit on the field may be Indiana’s defensive line. The Hoosiers have controlled the line of scrimmage and prevented Rutgers from establishing anything consistently on the ground.

Rutgers has only 36 rushing yards on 18 attempts — 2.0 yards per carry — and only 118 total yards. The Scarlet Knights are 1-for-8 on third down and 0-for-2 on fourth down. Indiana also recorded two first-half sacks.

That means Rutgers converted only one of 10 third- and fourth-down opportunities. Indiana’s defensive front has repeatedly put the Scarlet Knights behind schedule and allowed Bryant Haines’ defense to dictate the game.

Halftime: Indiana 23, Rutgers 0

Indiana has been dominant, but the halftime tape will still give Curt Cignetti plenty to address. The Hoosiers have 349 yards, are averaging 10 yards per play and have not turned the football over. Richard looks explosive, Hoover has been efficient and the defense has overwhelmed Rutgers up front.

But the goal-line rushing issue remains unresolved, and two missed kicks have left points on the field.

At 23-0, Indiana is firmly in control. The second half is about finishing the job — while cleaning up the details that will matter much more against the better teams ahead.