No. 6 Indiana Rushes for 329 Yards in 47-15 Win at Rutgers

Indiana's 329-yard rushing day overwhelmed Rutgers on homecoming in Piscataway, sending the Scarlet Knights into their bye week at 1-4 ahead of an October 17 trip to Maryland.

No. 6 Indiana overwhelmed Rutgers 47-15 on October 3, 2026, at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey. The loss came on the Scarlet Knights' homecoming, a date that also served as the program's annual blackout game, though the extra crowd noise made little difference on the field. The defeat was Rutgers' fourth in five games and dropped the team to 1-4 heading into its bye week.

Indiana seized control almost immediately. After forcing a Rutgers punt on the game's opening possession, the Hoosiers answered with a touchdown drive. Rutgers punted again on its next series, and although the Knights recorded a sack on the following Indiana possession, the Hoosiers still came away with a field goal.

The two sides then traded punts, a stretch that stood as Rutgers' best defensive work of the night. After that, the Knights failed to convert on fourth down on consecutive possessions, repeatedly handing Indiana strong field position. The Hoosiers took advantage and carried a 23-0 lead into halftime.

Indiana continued to add to its total through the third quarter, putting the game out of reach. Rutgers finally broke through with back-to-back touchdowns in the late stages, but the surge came far too late to matter. Indiana responded with 10 more points before the clock ran out.

Quarterback play was unsettled throughout for Rutgers. AJ Surace, Dylan Lonergan and Sean Ashenfelder each took snaps, though Ashenfelder did not attempt a pass. Surace completed 6 of 10 throws for 128 yards and a touchdown, while Lonergan went 5 of 10 for 67 yards. Together, the Knights finished 11 of 20 passing.

The rushing attack offered even less for the home side. Rutgers averaged just 1.7 yards per carry as a team, with Clay Thevenin leading the way at 47 yards on 12 attempts. Thevenin also scored a touchdown.

Indiana's ground game decided the contest. Turbo Richard racked up 206 yards and a touchdown on only 12 carries, while Lee Beebe Jr. added 122 yards and a score on 18 attempts. The Hoosiers finished with 329 rushing yards at 8.2 yards per carry as a team.

There were a handful of positives for Rutgers to carry into the off week. Neither Surace nor Lonergan was intercepted, the first time the Knights have avoided a pick against a power opponent this season. Wide receiver KJ Duff also produced again, with four receptions for 78 yards.

Rutgers now gets a week off before traveling to Maryland on Saturday, October 17. The game will be played at SECU Stadium in College Park, and it is the next outing on the Scarlet Knights' schedule. Kickoff time and broadcast details had not been announced as of the report.