It was a strong day on both sides of the ball for Indiana in its 35-0 win against Rutgers on Saturday. TheHoosier.com used Pro Football Focus' database to see where the Hoosiers beat Rutgers and where they could have played better.
Indiana offense
Notes:
- Stevie Scott graded out to have the best performance of his young career, in terms of PFF grades. As a whole, it wasn't his career best statistically, as he ran for 204 yards against Virginia last year, but in terms of efficiency it was. He averaged 13.7 yards per carry on his way to 164 yards and finally earned those breakaway runs the offense has been searching for all season.
- Caleb Jones had his best day at right tackle this season. Indiana ran to the left side of the line more often and had plenty of success there, but when it ran to the right side, it broke open bigger plays on the ground, including the 57-yard carry around the right end of the line.
- As a whole, Indiana's pass blocking was, by far, at its best against Rutgers. IU hadn't been bad at pass blocking, but Mike Penix's time in the pocket Saturday was unprecedented.
- Players that didn't exactly pop against Rutgers were Mike Penix (not pictured), Donavan Hale (also not pictured), Matt Bedford and Charlie O'Connor. Penix went 20-for-29 with three touchdowns and an interception, but he took some risks that he might not have taken against better teams and sometimes looked a bit inaccurate. When playing time is limited because of a blowout, grades can suffer. Hale wasn't particularly needed since Whop Philyor was stellar again, so his grade was among the worst on the team Saturday. O'Connor filled in for Hunter Littlejohn when the center went down with an injury early in the game.