Gary Nova threw for 217 yards and a pair of touchdowns to lead the Rutgers Scarlet Knights to a 45-23 victory over the Indiana Hoosiers in a Big Ten Conference matchup at High Point Solutions Stadium.
Nova completed 16-of-27 pass attempts while under center for Rutgers (6-4, 2-4 Big Ten), which snapped a three-game losing streak with the win. Nova's favorite target was Leonte Caroo, who reeled in five catches for 125 yards and two touchdowns. Josh Hicks racked up 114 yards on 20 carries, while Robert Martin scored on three of his 11 totes and tallied 83 rushing yards. Lorenzo Waters anchored the Scarlet Knights' defensive unit with 11 tackles and an interception.
For the Hoosiers (3-7, 0-6), Tevin Coleman set a new career-high with 307 rushing yards on 32 attempts. Zander Diamont finished with 179 yards, one touchdown and an interception on 15-of-31 passing efficiency. Shane Wynn also had a productive outing, making 11 receptions for 120 yards and a score.
Griffin Oakes gave Indiana a 3-0 lead less than three minutes after the opening kickoff, as he sent a 48-yard field goal attempt through the uprights after a six-play drive by the visitors. The Scarlet Knights evened the score at the 3:12 mark of the first frame, when Kyle Federico converted a 33-yard field goal try.
Rutgers managed to go in front with just over six minutes left before the intermission as Martin scored on a two-yard run. The Hoosiers narrowed the deficit with a successful 36-yard field goal courtesy of Oakes before Coleman scored on a 67-yard dash to the goal line to give Indiana a 13-10 lead at the break.
The Hoosiers extended their lead to 16-10 as Oakes made a 22-yard field goal try to conclude an eight-play, 72-yard drive that began the second half, but then Scarlet Knights took control with three consecutive touchdowns.
Martin broke away for a 47-yard touchdown run at the nine-minute mark of the third frame to make it a one-point game. Just over four minutes later, Nova connected with Caroo on a 34-yard toss for six points. Hicks found the end zone on a nine-yard rush with 1:27 remaining before the start of the fourth period to give Rutgers a 31-16 edge on the scoreboard.
Diamont made it a one-possession game in the opening minute of the final quarter, as he hooked up with Wynn on a 28-yard touchdown pass. However, Nova responded with a 56-yard touchdown toss to Caroo to extend the Scarlet Knights' advantage to 38-23 with 11:50 left to play. Martin registered his third rushing score at the 1:36 mark of the fourth frame to seal the deal for the hosts.
Despite the loss, Indiana finished with a 473-429 advantage in total yards of offense.
[SportsNetwork.com]
