Indiana football beats Rutgers 47-15: Instant reaction

PISCATAWAY, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 3: Indiana's offense dominated the field against Rutgers, piling up over 500 yards and 47 points during their road win on October 3, 2026. This victory marked Indiana's 21st consecutive win, propelling the team to a perfect 5-0 record on the season.

Bryant Haines' defense showcased its mettle early on, forcing a punt on Rutgers' opening drive, stifling the run game, and keeping an eye on KJ Duff. Mike Shanahan's offense followed suit, driving 85 yards on eight plays to take a 7-0 lead.

Indiana continued to build on its strong start, forcing two three-and-outs on subsequent drives, which resulted in three more points. The Hoosiers saw success on their second offensive possession, but Rutgers managed to contain Josh Hoover on third down, forcing a field goal and making the score 10-0 in Indiana's favor.

Kicking proved to be an intriguing aspect of the game, with Nico Radicic missing his first extra point attempt of the year and then missing a field goal. Radicic's injuries throughout the year might have contributed to his struggles, but the incident warrants attention for Indiana's future performances.

Indiana's offense roared back to life after being held in check on consecutive third downs, capitalizing on two subsequent touchdowns to extend their lead to 23-0 heading into halftime. Rutgers' starting quarterback, Dylan Lonergan, seemed to suffer an injury, resulting in AJ Surace stepping in for the second half. Surace connected with Ben Black III and Dyzier Carter for explosive plays, a welcome addition to Indiana's secondary, but it wasn't enough to alter the game's outcome.

Curt Cignetti opted to keep the starters on the field for one more drive after Rutgers' second touchdown, enabling Josh Hoover to move the ball downfield and seal the 44-15 victory. While the game wasn't without its flaws, it marked a step in the right direction, bringing Indiana's record to 2-0 in Big Ten Play.