(AP photo)

By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

PISCATAWAY — Lots of 21 personnel (two backs, one tight end). Few gimmicks (save one reverse). A halted three-game losing streak.

That's what offensive coordinator Ralph Friedgen brought Saturday against Indiana, using a season-low nine formations in Rutgers' 45-23 victory against Indiana.

Each look brought at least one play with fullback Michael Burton, who unofficially saw 63 snaps out of Rutgers' 67 plays. Tight end Tyler Kroft did not come off the field.

When Rutgers was supposed to showcase a four-man rotation at running back, Burton became the unofficial third party, playing double-digit snaps as a pass protector.

Freshmen Josh Hicks — playing a season-high 27 snaps unofficially — and Robert Martin did the rest, executing Friedgen's largely power-run scheme.

"I think we did a great job running the ball," quarterback Gary Nova said. "The two freshmen guys, Hicks and Martin, really gave us a spark that we needed. Coach (Kyle) Flood always says 'next man up' —  the next guys up did their job."

Hicks and Martin appear perfectly suited between the tackles, which opens up Friedgen's counter play calls and play action. More production hinges on that success rate.

"Are they similar runners?" Flood said. "I think they're both physical running backs who showed last week that they have the ability to make you miss."

NOTES: With two snaps this week, Janarion Grant has now appeared on an unofficial eight plays the last three weeks. He was suspended for a half at Nebraska. ... Desmon Peoples did not return after his fumble, leaving the game after one play with an upper-body injury.

Rutgers' unofficial formation count against Indiana:

-off-I-formation: 17 plays
-shotgun with 11 personnel: 17 plays
-I-form: 13 plays
-trips with base personnel: five plays
-12 personnel: four plays
-I-form heavy: four plays
-11 personnel: three plays
-goal line: three plays
-off-I heavy

Rutgers' unofficial snap chart for skill-position players:

Player	Kroft	Burton	Carroo	Patton	Hicks	Martin	Tsimis	Turzilli
Snaps	67	63	59	39	27	19	19	19

Player	Arcidiacono	Agudosi	Goodwin	Bergen	Grant	Peoples
Snaps	9	6	4	3	2	1

Rutgers unofficial target chart in the passing game: 

Player	Carroo	Kroft	Patton	Burton	Tsimis	Turzilli	Agudosi	Hicks
Targets	10	4	4	2	2	2	1	1