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This is not going to be a usual game recap.
I am going to be honest with everyone reading this story: I put this game away in the third quarter. As a writer, I had to prepare a story during the game so I could post it when the game ended. This is what I had:
This one got away fast.
What. The. Hell. Was. That.
At halftime, Rutgers fans were confident that their team would walk out of Bloomington with a win.
Halfway through the third quarter, the game was over.
MAJOR ISSUES WITH THIS TEAM
Running Back rotation
I love Norries WIlson, but he needs to ride the hot hand. It was not Josh Hicks' day. Paul James could barely get past the line of scrimmage. Robert Martin was feasting. However, Wilson refused to stray away from the set rotation and Rutgers failed to get any rhythm in the 3rd quarter.
Then, Devine Redding took off for a 66-yard TD and Indiana went ahead 52-27 and Rutgers had no hope.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">This game is over. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RFootball?src=hash">#RFootball</a> may keep scoring. Not going to get enough defensive stops to make up an 18-point deficit. Start writing.</p>— Ryan Dunleavy (@rydunleavy) <a href="https://twitter.com/rydunleavy/status/655507558560616449">October 17, 2015</a></blockquote>
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After that touchdown, I wanted nothing to do with Rutgers and was ready to watch Michigan blow their game (LOL).
However, as they often do, the Scarlet Knights proved me wrong. I have an embarrassing history of giving up on sports teams too early, as I was one of those people clamoring for the Rex Ryan to Rutgers movement during the Maryland game last year. I will be sure to never give up on Rutgers ever again.
This game without a doubt tops the Maryland game from last year. At no point have I ever seen so many people (myself included) give up on a game like this. Props to Rutgers for fighting back.
Players of the game
Chris Laviano
This kid showed that he had stones. He made a couple of HUGE 3rd down throws on the game-winning drive to Carlton Agudosi that wiped away his blunders on 4th down and 2-point conversions. He led his team to victory when no on else thought he could.
Robert Martin
Martin had the play of the game, in my opinion, when he broke a sure tackle en route to a 3rd down conversion on the last drive. If he didn't get that, Indiana would get the ball back with plenty of time to get into field goal range. Rutgers finally decided to screw the rotation and ride the hot hand of Robert Martin and he got them where they needed to go.
Leonte Carroo
Not enough can be said about this kid. He went up and sacrificed his body to catch a TD in the third quarter that cost him the rest of the game. He has played in 4 games and has 9 TDs. He has played in 4 games and has 3 games with 3 TD catches. He is simply incredible. Rutgers will need him to be healthy for Ohio State.
Kyle Federico
After having 2 PATs blocked, and being held of the field for 2 2-pt conversions, his confidence was clearly not incredibly high. However, Kyle Flood trusted him and played conservatively at the end of the game to get the senior on the field. Federico rewarded Flood for his trust and nailed the game-winner as time expired.
Be sure to...
...remember what Indiana fans said: they didn't want us. They were too good for us. They were going to win by 20+ points. Rutgers doesn't belong in the B1G.
I leave you with this
<blockquote class="twitter-video" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">This is what happens when you KEEP CHOPPING <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChopNation?src=hash">#ChopNation</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Hoosiers?src=hash">#Hoosiers</a> Chopped 55-52 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FAMILY?src=hash">#FAMILY</a> <a href="http://t.co/Kln5Qm9SUN">pic.twitter.com/Kln5Qm9SUN</a></p>— EJ Barthel (@CoachEJbarthel) <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachEJbarthel/status/655528483507060736">October 17, 2015</a></blockquote>
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