Indiana Hoping D.J. Matthews Returns to Early-Season Form Against Rutgers

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana is determined to interrupt its four-game shedding streak in opposition to Rutgers on Saturday, and a vital issue might be the well being and manufacturing of huge receiver D.J. Matthews.

Matthews injured his hamstring throughout Indiana’s 45-24 loss at Cincinnati on Sept. 24, and was on the sideline throughout the next two losses in opposition to Nebraska and Michigan. He dressed for the Maryland recreation final weekend, however caught only one move for seven yards with one rush for 4 yards in Indiana’s 38-33 loss. Matthews additionally gave the impression to be lacking among the quickness and burst he is typically proven as a receiver, runner and punt returner for Indiana. 

Coach Tom Allen mentioned hamstring accidents will be difficult because of the danger of re-injury when fatigue units in, so Indiana has been very cautious with Matthews in current weeks. Allen mentioned Matthews’ well being progressed this week, and Allen sees his workload rising in opposition to Rutgers.

“We really feel like he did not take any steps backwards,” Allen mentioned. “He did not do something to re-injure it on Saturday and has not throughout follow, so I see him taking part in extra. I see him extra concerned, and I see him getting again to hopefully the best way he was early within the season.”

Within the Hoosiers’ Week 1 win over No. 18 Illinois, Matthews racked up 107 yards and a landing. Matthews missed most of final season after tearing his ACL in Week 4 in opposition to Western Kentucky, however he made a direct impression after transferring from Florida State to Indiana earlier than final season. 

Matthews’ first eye-opening play got here in opposition to Idaho in Week 2 of the 2021 season. He hauled in a punt whereas operating towards the alternative finish zone, circled his approach again to the sideline and stiff-armed a number of defenders on his technique to the tip zone to present Indiana a 35-0 lead.

The next week, Matthews helped Indiana maintain issues shut in opposition to then-No. 8 Cincinnati. He led Indiana receivers with 120 yards in opposition to a Bearcat secondary that includes Sauce Gardner, the No. 4 decide within the 2022 NFL Draft. Matthews’ 20-yard dashing landing gave Indiana a 21-17 lead over Cincinnati late within the third quarter, however the Hoosiers in the end misplaced 38-34.

A totally-healthy Matthews would supply a needed enhance for an Indiana offense tormented by inconsistency all season. The Hoosiers entered the fourth quarter of the final three weeks in one-score video games, however made a couple of deadly errors. Indiana offensive coordinator Walt Bell mentioned on Monday that Massive Ten matchups are sometimes determined by a handful of performs, and there is been an excessive amount of error at important occasions. 

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• EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH JACK TUTTLE: Indiana quarterback Jack Tuttle is getting into the switch portal so he can play elsewhere in 2023, however not like many transfers, the redshirt-senior captain is staying with the Hoosiers all through this season ”as a result of I really like my guys an excessive amount of.” CLICK HERE