INDIANA 24 (4-1, 1-1), RUTGERS 17 (1-4, 0-2)
HIGHPOINT.COM STADIUM • PISCATAWAY, N.J.
SEPTEMBER 29, 2018 • ATTENDANCE: 32,056

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Despite a late fourth-quarter rally, Rutgers football (1-4, 0-2) fell short against Indiana (4-1, 1-1) in a 24-17 decision on Saturday afternoon at HighPoint.com Stadium.

Freshman quarterback Artur Sitkowski threw for 154 yards and a touchdown. Redshirt freshman wide receiver Shameen Jones and fifth-year running back Jonathan Hilliman recorded touchdowns for Rutgers. Sophomore kicker Justin Davidovicz booted a 52-yard field goal for the Scarlet Knights, tied for the fourth longest in school history.

Defensively, senior linebacker Deonte Roberts and senior defensive lineman Kevin Wilkins paced the team with 13 total tackles each, while junior defensive back Damon Hayes added 10 with an interception.

FIRST QUARTER
Rutgers opened the game with the lead, scoring on its opening drive of 75 yards four minutes into the contest. Sitkowski connected with Jones on third down for an 11-yard reception for the 7-0 advantage.

It's an Artie Party in the end zone as @artursitkowski4 connects with @shameenjones2 for the @RFootball TD! pic.twitter.com/Vvb89XjPuv

— Rutgers On BTN (@RutgersOnBTN) September 29, 2018

Indiana countered with a touchdown on its following drive, as Stevie Scott rushed for a 16-yard score and a 7-7 tie on the scoreboard.

SECOND QUARTER
IU tacked on two touchdowns and field goal in the second frame to carry the lead, 24-7, into halftime.

FOURTH QUARTER
Following a scoreless third quarter, Rutgers found momentum in the final frame. Sophomore Tyreek Maddox-Williams forced a fumble on Indiana's opening drive, as Roberts recovered for RU.

On the second play of RU's drive, freshman running back Isaih Pacheco connected with Jerome Washington for a 39-yard reception to set the Scarlet Knights six yards out. Hilliman rushed for the final yard to cut into the score, 24-14 with 10:40 to go in the game.

A little trickeration led to an easy @RFootball TD, as Isaih Pacheco completes the halfback pass to Jerome Washington to enter the redzone. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/JEsbe5C1Xt

— Rutgers On BTN (@RutgersOnBTN) September 29, 2018

 
The Scarlet Knight defense quickly returned the ball to Rutgers, as Hayes reeled in an interception. The drive would be capped with a 52-yard field goal for Davidovicz to make it a one-possession game with 3:52 remaining on the clock.
 

Indiana went for it on 4th and 9.@RFootball said nah. ☝️ pic.twitter.com/ijaCzkjsrv

— Rutgers On BTN (@RutgersOnBTN) September 29, 2018

Despite the late surge, the Scarlet Knights would fall short as the Hoosiers ran out the clock.

UP NEXT 

Rutgers wraps up a three-game homestand with Illinois on Oct. 6 at noon. The contest will be televised live on Big Ten Network.

PARTICIPATION

• Collegiate debut (1): LB Nihym Anderson (28^th player to make Rutgers debut this season and 25^th to see first collegiate action)
• First career start (2): RB Isaih Pacheco, DL Mike Tverdov (ninth and 10th Rutgers players to make first collegiate start this season)

NOTES

• Rutgers scored a touchdown on its opening drive for the second time this season (Texas State).
• PK Justin Davidovicz connected on a 52-yard field goal, the longest in stadium history, tied for the fourth-longest in Rutgers history and longest by a Scarlet Knight in Big Ten play. Davidovicz is 4-for-4 to mark the best career start for a Scarlet Knight kicker since Ryan Sands began 6-for-6 in 2001.
• WR Shameen Jones recorded his first career touchdown and registered a career-high three receptions.
• TE Jerome Washington, who now has a catch in 16-of-17 games for Rutgers, picked up a career-long 39-yard reception from RB Isaih Pacheco.
• RB Jonathan Hilliman added his team-best fourth rushing touchdown of the season and 30^th of his career.
• DB Damon Hayes hauled in an interception for the second-straight week and now has four in his career.

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