Rutgers University is set to face Indiana at home this weekend. To lead up to the game, I list three Rutgers Players to watch in their matchup against Indiana. Rutgers is currently 3-3 while Indiana is 3-4. With the Scarlet Knights coming off a bye week, here are which Rutgers players to watch this weekend, in hopes to end years of losing to Big Ten opponents at home.
Rutgers Players to Watch: Samuel Brown V
Samuel Brown V is a freshman running back and has been a great addition to the offense. He is definitely one of the Rutgers players to watch this week in hopes to get their first Big Ten win at home since 2017.
This Season
Brown has done an exceptional job this season. He leads the team in rushing yards at 273, according to ESPN. Brown also has four receptions for 17 yards. Despite the receptions, he will primarily only run the ball. It is still good to note that he averages 4.3 yards per reception though. This is something that Rutgers can note on 3rd down attempts.
Rutgers is coming off of a bye week but played against Nebraska most recently. The team lost by one point, with a final score of 14-13. In the game, Brown rushed for 63 yards, only averaging 3.9 yards per carry. While he still led the team in rushing yards, he did not score a touchdown either.
How to Step Up
While Brown is definitely one of the best Rutgers players on the offense, he only has two touchdowns this season. Both touchdowns were against the Wagner Seahawks, a very poor opponent. If Brown can score against Big Ten opponents, that will greatly help the team moving forward. If the Scarlet Knights give him opportunities to catch more, perhaps that can also help due to opponents not expecting that game plan.
Rutgers Players to Watch: Noah Vedral
If I am honest, I do not even know if Noah Vedral will get the start this weekend against Indiana. Rutgers still has not stated who the starter will be; however, of the other Rutgers players, I am choosing quarterback Noah Vedral as a player to watch.
This Season
This season has been very odd for the Rutgers’ quarterback position. The team has gone through three players, primarily Evan Simon. The rotation is due to a mix of injuries and an attempt to find who will fit in the offense the best. Vedral got the start in their previous game against Nebraska, then was taken out of the game and replaced by Simon, despite Rutgers only having a 13-0 lead.
This season, Vedral has only completed six passes, out of 15 attempts. A large part of this is due to his first true game being against Nebraska. He got some snaps against Ohio State, but he only rushed the ball and had zero passing attempts according to ESPN. He’s thrown for 133 yards averaging 8.9 per attempt. Vedral also rushed for 37 yards and had one rushing touchdown against Nebraska
How to Step Up
Of course, first, this comes down to if Vedral even plays. While other Rutgers players would like a start such as Gavin Wimsatt, who is doubtful this weekend, Vedral has shown much success compared to Simon based on their game against Nebraska. Having not thrown an interception yet, unlike Simon’s three against Nebraska, this could be Vedral’s game to remain the starter for the rest of the season.
Vedral will need to score more passing touchdowns as well. His rushing touchdown against Nebraska demonstrated his desire to win, but more needs to be done. Rutgers needs to get points on the boards this week and the run game cannot do it alone.
Rutgers Players to Watch: Avery Young
Senior defensive back Avery Young has done very well for the Rutgers defense. The defense has truly been the strength of the team, and Young is one of the Rutgers players that deserve to be highlighted this season despite the team’s 3-3 record.
This Season
This season, Young totals 27 tackles and one interception, according to ESPN. In week five against the Ohio State Buckeyes, Young picked off quarterback C.J. Stroud. Stroud has easily been the toughest quarterback that Rutgers has faced this season, and the toughest they will face for the remainder of the year. Although they lost against Ohio State, the pick was a strong accomplishment.
How to Step Up
Young will need to force more interceptions, and also more pass deflections. If he can pick off Stroud, there is no excuse to not force more interceptions in future games. The Rutgers defense is the strongest part of the team, and a lot is riding on them. If there can be more turnovers, their offense will have an easier job at least getting into field goal range.
Rutgers Players to Watch, Honorable Mention:
I did say I would highlight only three players to watch this weekend, and that is true. But there is one portion of the Rutgers organization that should also be looked into.
The Coaching Staff
The issue with the coaching staff is their indecisiveness. It truly felt as though they were the reason the Scarlet Knights lost to Nebraska. Having a 13-point lead is no reason to switch quarterbacks. When something works, they should stick to it. Not naming a starter to the media until the game is okay. Perhaps it is to confuse their opponent. The concern is if they do not know who they are planning to start either though.
Rutgers will face Nebraska this Saturday at noon eastern, as it is also their homecoming game. The crowd will be energized in hopes to get their first Big Ten home win since 2017.
For more NFL and NCAA football content:
Check out my most recent article on which three players to watch this week for Penn State. Also check out my article on the famous Penn State Whiteout, and its importance to the school. For NFL content, check out my article to see who I chose in my second Underestimated Player Spotlight.