WATCH: Indiana fans are stripping in protest of Hoosiers play vs. Rutgers
It was a rough first half for the Indiana Hoosiers against Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights led 17-0 before the Hoosiers kicked a late field goal to make it a 17-3 Rutgers lead at halftime. The early deficit has caused an interesting response from Indiana fans.
Indiana fans can be seen in the video running over to a vacant section before they began removing clothes and jumping around. Shortly after, the section of fans grew larger.
By the end of the half, the section was nearly full. And just about every single fan in the section was shirtless, jumping around, and waving their shirts around despite Indiana trailing Rutgers 17-0. The Hoosiers did kick a field goal after the section of fans assembled.
Indiana’s offense struggled in the first half against Rutgers
Two quarterbacks played for Indiana in the first half. Jack Tuttle completed five of his ten passes for 26 yards and two interceptions, adding 16 rushing yards. Donaven McCulley completed five of his 12 passes for 80 yards, adding nine rushing yards. As a team, Indiana totaled 55 first half rushing yards against Rutgers on 20 carries, averaging a disappointing 2.8 yards per carry.
Rutgers quarterback Noah Vedral completed five of his nine pass attempts for 43 yards in the first half. Running back Isaih Pacheco had a strong half, rushing 12 times for 58 yards and two touchdowns. Rutgers ran for 95 yards and the two scores on 22 carries, averaging 4.3 yards per attempt.
Indiana entered the game at just 2-7 overall with an 0-6 mark against Big Ten opponents. Rutgers, meanwhile, entered the game with a 4-5 overall record and 1-5 mark against Big Ten opponents.
Following Saturday’s game, Indiana hosts Minnesota next week before wrapping up the regular season with a tough road trip to Purdue. Rutgers travels to take on Penn State next week before hosting Maryland to wrap up the regular season.