Rutgers Football, after starting the season 4-0, has now dropped its last three games. Fans came into the stadium with the hope that the Knights could get back to their winning ways. Instead, what they got was an offensive shootout and a 35-32 loss to the 2-5 UCLA Bruins. This game gave the Knights more questions than answers. These questions will have to be answered soon if they hope to qualify for a bowl this season.
What went wrong for Rutgers?
There are two things that go hand in hand with what went wrong for Rutgers today. The defense got shredded and too many players were out due to injury.
Starting off with the injuries, Rutgers had 16 players on the injury report including 7 players out for the season. It also does not help that those out for the season are some of Rutgers’ biggest playmakers and best talents. Rutgers will be playing with a big handicap every time they step on the field for the rest of the season.
The second big thing that went wrong for Rutgers on the day was that the defense got shredded up and down the field. In the air, the Knights’ secondary got gashed for 383 yards and 4 touchdowns, surrendering an average of 10.1 yards per pass on 38 attempts. UCLA does have a very strong pass game and can light a team up in the air if given the opportunity. With that being said, the Bruins were supported by a litter of injuries to the Knights’ defense.
Rutger’s pass rush was completely gutted by injuries, starting the game off without both starting defensive ends, and linebacker Mohammed Toure who has been out all season.
In addition to the pass rush, Rutgers’ secondary was also weakened due to injury. Corner Robert Longerbeam and Safety Flip Dixon both came into the game banged up from weeks prior although they were ultimately given the okay to play. Eric Rogers, another Knights cornerback who has been an making a name for himself this season, also came into the game with a lingering injury.
Where do the Knights go from here?
Unfortunately for Rutgers, the schedule is not getting easier from here. Next week they have to travel out to Los Angelos to play USC. USC is another team that is much better than their record and they are close to being ranked. Then they get to play Minnesota who has been having a good season of their own, Maryland who has been Scarlet Kryptonite in recent years, No.23 Illinois, and Michigan State. This was the Knight’s best chance for a win before moving into a tougher slate.
There have been a few rumblings of fans calling for head coach Greg Schiano to be fired, or at least have one of his coordinators axed. So far, nothing has come of these protests.
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