GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: Indiana’s defense had its positives in a loss to Michigan State. However, the Hoosiers can’t have a letdown against Rutgers, which has struggled offensively this season. The Scarlet Knights are averaging 140.5 passing yards and 138 rushing yards per game. “Our young defense is growing,” Indiana coach Tom Allen said. “Nine tackles for loss and three sacks, four takeaways against that team (Michigan State) is the kind of performance that you want in those areas but have to continue to focus on the little things.”
DRAFT SLANT
–S Jonathan Crawford, on the Senior Bowl watch list, made his 42nd career start against Michigan State, starting every game in his career. He has 24 tackles, including nine solo, a sack, three tackles for a loss, an interception, a forced fumble and fumble recovery.
ROSTER REPORT
–DT Jacob Robinson did not dress against Michigan State with an undisclosed injury. Allen said it’s a week-to-week situation for Robinson.
–DB Cam Jones, a true freshman, left with an undisclosed injury after making his first career interception in the fourth quarter and will be a game-time decision.
–WR Luke Timian, who had 13 catches for 138 yards in first three games, did not play last seek due to an injury and is a game-time decision at Rutgers.
–WR J-Shun Harris II, who suffered his third ACL injury in the eighth game of the 2017 season, collected his third Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week honor after the Ball State win. Harris matched Tim Wilbur’s program mark with his third career punt return touchdown, an 86-yarder. Harris caught six passes for 42 yards versus Michigan State, his first game with five or more catches since 2014.
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