Gone Bowlin': Biggest takeaways from Rutgers football's bowl-clinching win over Indiana
For the first time since 2014, the Rutgers football team has won six games and earned traditional bowl eligibility.
The Scarlet Knights (6-2, 3-2) defeated Indiana 31-14 at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Indiana, to set themselves up for their 12th bowl game appearance in program history.
Here are three takeaways from Rutgers' bowl-clinching win over the Hoosiers (2-5, 0-4).
Ground game reigns supreme
The Knights' ability to run the clock against Indiana was the biggest factor in their victory. Rutgers accumulated a whopping 276 yards on the ground. Junior quarterback Gavin Wimsatt led the pack. His 143 rushing yards against the Hoosiers were the most in a game by a Knights quarterback in program history.
On top of that, Wimsatt scored three rushing touchdowns, two coming on quarterback sneaks at the goal line and one coming on an 80-yard run to put the game away in the fourth quarter.
The quarterback is now tied at seven with junior running back Kyle Monangai for the most rushing touchdowns on the team.
Monangai totaled 109 rushing yards on 24 carries against Indiana. Monangai has accumulated at least 100 rushing yards in four games this season.
It was Rutgers' fourth game this year with more than 250 yards on the ground. This game's 276-yard rushing performance was the Knights' best all season.
Special teams put on a show again
With the score tied 7-7 at the start of the second quarter, junior safety Shaquan Loyal was able to block a Hoosiers punt. The ball found the hands of junior defensive back Eric Rogers, who took it to the endzone for Rutgers' second special teams touchdown in as many games.
It was the play that turned the momentum toward the Knights. A similar play occurred in last week's come-from-behind win against Michigan State when senior running back Aaron Young was able to fall on a botched punt in the endzone to start the fourth quarter.
The special teams made an impact once again at the end of the first half when junior defensive back Robert Longerbeam recovered a muffed punt that created an instant red zone opportunity for the Knights.
Sophomore placekicker Jai Patel would put a 21-yard kick up and through the uprights to give Rutgers a 17-14 lead going into halftime.
Huge step for the program
It has been tough sledding for the Knights since joining the Big Ten. They found success in their first year in the conference with an 8-5 record and a 40-21 win against North Carolina in the Quick Lane Bowl.
Since 2015, it has been a different story. From that season until 2022, Rutgers has gone a dreadful 25-69 with multiple coaching changes, most recently back to head coach Greg Schiano.
In their fourth season of the "Schiano 2.0 era," the Knights finally earned their sixth win of a season in almost a decade. The team's progress and player development have paved the way for their success.
"I told you when we got here that it was going to take time," Schiano said to reporters after Saturday's game. "There's no quick fixes, not at Rutgers. It's hard, and you just work and work and work. But this is definitely a step."
Rutgers will refresh during the bye week and prepare for the season's final four games against Ohio State, Iowa, Penn State and Maryland.
"Now we get a little bit of a break, and then we got the last third of the season, which is quite challenging. So we enjoy this one a little bit tonight and then move on to the bye week," said Schiano.
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