Know Your Opponent: Week Eight Rutgers Scarlet Knights
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Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)
Head Coach: Greg Schiano
Overall: 85-91
Bowl Appearances at Rutgers: Seven
2022 Record: 4-8 (1-8)
Mascot: Scarlet Knight
Colors: Scarlet and White
Outfitter: adidas
National Titles: One – 1869
Conference Titles: One – 2012 (Big East)
Heisman Winners: Zero
Last Week: 27-24 Win Over Michigan State
Statistical Leaders
Passing: Gavin Wimsatt – 86-169 (50.9%) for 1095 yards with 7 TDs and 4 INTs
Rushing: Kyle Monangai – 120 carries for 635 yards with seven touchdowns
Receiving: JaQuae Jackson – 16 catches for 282 yards with 0 TDs
Tackles: Tyreem Powell – 50 total tackles with two TFLs
Stat of the Week: Rutgers is currently 5-2 after a big comeback win over Michigan State. The Scarlet Knights have not won more than five games since 2014 and they have only accomplished it one time since joining the Big Ten.
Scarlet Knights Talking Points
1. Major Momentum
As the fourth quarter began, Rutgers trailed the Michigan State Spartans 24-6 at home. Scarlet Knight fans were celebrating Homecoming but it certainly did not appear they would be celebrating a victory. Then things went haywire. Michigan State fumbled a snap on a punt and Aaron Young recovered the ball and returned it 22 yards for a touchdown to cut the deficit to 24-13. The Scarlet Knights forced a punt and then marched 73 yards for a touchdown to make it 24-21. Rutgers then popped a kick up and recovered it at the MSU 21-yard line. Kyle Monangai ran it in for the go-ahead touchdown to complete the chaotic comeback. Rutgers comes in full of confidence while the Hoosiers are likely feeling the exact opposite.
2. Road Question Marks
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights will be playing their third road game of the season when they travel to Bloomington this Saturday. They played at Michigan and lost 31-7 and were beaten at Wisconsin 24-13. In short, Rutgers is 5-0 at home and 0-2 on the road thus far in 2023. Granted, IU is not going to offer the same challenges that playing in Madison or Ann Arbor gave to Rutgers but it will still be a road game for Rutgers.
3. Strong Defense
IU has switched offensive coordinators but as expected, we don’t yet know what answers they have found. Coming off a bye week, the Hoosiers played at Michigan and failed to reach double-digits. That’s not an indictment on IU’s offense, no one else has scored ten points against the Wolverines either. The Hoosiers had a terrific first quarter but were stuck after the first 15 minutes. Rutgers does not have the same talent as the Michigan defense but it will be another tough test for Rod Carey and the IU offense. The Scarlet Knights are surrendering only 16 points per game and are holding opponents to just 4.31 yards per play. Northwestern gained 3.2 yards per play, Virginia Tech had 4.5, Michigan averaged 6.8, Wisconsin averaged 4.6 and Michigan State managed just 3.5 yards per play. Rutgers forces turnovers at a good clip (11 so far) and has done a really good job of limiting opponents on third down.