Tag: Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Delaware defensive back Nijuel Hill (16) can't stop Rutgers' Brandon Sanders on a second quarter touchdown reception at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, NJ, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. Ud At Rutgers

Noah Vedral, Rutgers roll past Delaware

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Noah Vedral passed for 323 yards and two touchdowns and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights rolled to a 45-13 win over the visiting Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens on Saturday.

Isaih Pacheco rushed for 69 yards and two touchdowns for Rutgers (3-0), which is 3-0 for the first time since winning the first seven games of the 2012 season.

Vedral completed 21-of-25 passes, including 10 straight at one point. Bo Melton caught five of Vedral’s passes for 121 yards and a touchdown.

Delaware (2-1, 1-0 CAA), which came in ranked sixth in the STATS Perform FCS poll, fell to 0-10 against FBS opponents since a 59-52 win at Navy in 2007.

Dejoun Lee gained 121 yards on 15 carries, including a 71-yard dash that set up the Blue Hens only touchdown. Nolan Henderson was 11-for-20 for 95 yards and a touchdown.

The Scarlets Knights took the early lead when Vedral found Melton down the right side for 28-yard touchdown with 9:34 remaining in the first quarter.

Early in the second quarter, Vedral hit Melton for 57 yards to the Delaware 27. Three plays later Isaih Pacheco ran 20 yards for a score and Rutgers led 14-0.

The Blue Hens answered quickly. On the first play from scrimmage, Lee got around the right end and raced 71 yards to the Rutgers one-yard line. On the next play, Henderson passed to Thyrick Pitts for the touchdown with 11:46 left in the half.

Then it was Rutgers turn for a quick strike as Vedral, on the first play from scrimmage, found Brandon Sanders down the middle for a 62-yard catch and run touchdown to give Rutgers a 21-7 lead.

Ryan Coe matched his career high with a 53-yard field goal to pull Delaware within 21-10, but Rutgers’ Aaron Young scored from six yards out to finish a 60-yard drive and Aron Cruickshank capped the Scarlet Knights first half with a 62-yard punt return touchdown to make it 35-10 at intermission.

The teams traded field goals in the third quarter and then Rutgers went 75 yards in 12 plays with Pacheco scoring on a 1-yard plunge with 10:16 remaining in the game.

–Field Level Media

Nov 28, 2020; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights wide receiver Shameen Jones (15) catches a touchdown pass while Purdue Boilermakers linebacker Tyler Coyle (25) defends in the first half at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Dominant second half carries Rutgers past Purdue

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Shameen Jones caught two touchdown passes and Rutgers outscored Purdue by 17 points the second half to win 37-30 on Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

The Scarlet Knights (2-4, 2-4 Big Ten) — playing reserves Artur Sitkowski and Johnny Langan at quarterback in place of game-time scratch Noah Vedral — rolled off the game’s last 17 points to rally from a 10-point deficit. Vedral appeared to be in discomfort while throwing pregame, but there was no announcement with details of an injury.

Rutgers’ decisive spurt began after Purdue took a 30-20 lead on Jack Plummer’s 18-yard touchdown pass to David Bell early in the third quarter. On the ensuing kickoff, Aron Cruickshank went 100 yards for the answering score.

Cruickshank’s touchdown was the second consecutive long score for the Scarlet Knights. Langan opened the second half with a 62-yard touchdown pass to Kay’Ron Adams.

Langan completed all four of his passes for 95 yards, and he led Rutgers with 95 rushing yards. The Scarlet Knights effectively sealed the win when, on fourth-and-1, Langan rushed up the middle to convert a first down and allow the Rutgers to run down the clock.

The Boilermakers ran a total of three offensive plays — a three-and-out — over the game’s final 18-plus minutes. Rutgers used an 18-play drive to set up a 28-yard Valentino Ambrosio field goal with 7:09 left, and the Scarlet Knights’ final drive used up the last 5:26.

Sitkowski finished 18 of 27 for 141 yards, and he threw a pair of 14-yard scores to Jones in the first quarter.

The win is Rutgers’ second on the road this season, along with a 38-27 defeat of Michigan State on Oct. 24. The Scarlet Knights won one Big Ten road game in the previous four seasons combined.

Purdue (2-3, 2-3) moved the ball at will through the first two quarters and change, riding a combination of Plummer’s passing and the all-around play of running back Zander Horvath. Horvath rushed for 101 yards and a touchdown and caught four passes for 61 yards.

Plummer went 20 of 35 for 237 yards with two touchdowns — a 1-yarder to Payne Durham started the day’s scoring — and rushed for a third score.

Plummer threw one interception, but it came at a critical juncture.

After Cruickshank’s touchdown return, the Boilermakers were pushing into Rutgers territory when Mohamed Toure jumped a route and made the pick. Toure’s interception set the stage for the go-ahead drive, capped with a 1-yard Aaron Young touchdown run.

Young’s score put the Scarlet Knights on top 34-30, and they led the rest of the way.

–Field Level Media

Nov 20, 2020; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; (Purdue Boilermakers wide receiver Rondale Moore (4) points to the end zone as he rushes for a touchdown in the first quarter against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Receivers take center stage in Rutgers at Purdue

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Cross-divisional Big Ten Conference foes Rutgers and Purdue meet Saturday at Ross-Ade Stadium, both coming off heartbreaking losses.

Purdue (2-2, 2-2 Big Ten) lost in controversial fashion at divisional counterpart Minnesota last week, 34-31. Quarterback Jack Plummer found tight end Payne Durham for what appeared to be a go-ahead touchdown with 52 seconds left, but an offensive pass interference call negated the play.

Boilermakers coach Jeff Brohm’s vocal objection to the call and subsequent, private interactions with conference officials in the days since still linger. Purdue seeks to avoid letting the disappointment bleed into another week against visiting Rutgers.

“It’s over with and we moved on,” Brohm said in his Tuesday press conference.

The Boilermakers have another hurdle to overcome as well. Purdue announced Tuesday that sophomore defensive end George Karlaftis has tested positive for COVID-19 and has been placed in quarantine. The former five-star recruit has four tackles and two sacks through three games this season.

Purdue is trying to snap a two-game losing streak, with the two defeats coming by a combined 10 points.

The Scarlet Knights (1-4, 1-4) dropped their fourth straight, losing in three overtimes to Michigan on Saturday night. Despite the losing skid, Rutgers has made strides in the first year of Greg Schiano’s second stint with the program.

Last season, Rutgers lost all nine of its Big Ten games by at least 21 points. Its losses the last two weeks to Illinois and Michigan were by a combined nine points.

“They play an attacking, aggressive style of defense. They don’t give up easy completions,” Brohm said. “Coach Schiano has those guys playing very, very hard.”

Schiano turned the longtime cellar dweller of the old Big East Conference into a contender during his first tenure there, most notably winning 11 games in 2006. His staff has aimed to recapture some of what made Rutgers successful during that stretch, starting with a consistent pass rush.

Mohamed Toure comes in with three sacks, most on the team and tied for seventh among all Big Ten players. The Scarlet Knights have also made considerable strides on offense, improving from 13.2 points per game last year — second-fewest in the nation — to 29.6 points per game in 2020.

“(Coordinator) Sean Gleeson and the offensive staff have done a good job accentuating the positives and limiting whatever negatives we have,” Schiano said at his weekly press conference.

Schiano had particular praise for wide receiver Bo Melton, who enters with 27 receptions for 443 yards and five touchdowns.

Receivers on both sides will take center stage on Saturday. Purdue features Rondale Moore, the 2017 freshman of the year and coveted NFL draft prospect initially opted out of the truncated 2020 season, but made his return last week to catch 15 passes for 116 yards.

“He’s one of the fastest, most explosive players in college football, period,” Schiano said of Moore.

Moore’s return adds more firepower to a passing offense ranked No. 16 nationally at 320.8 yards per game. Plummer, who stepped in for Aidan O’Connell last week, completed 35-of-42 attempts for 367 yards and three touchdowns.

In Moore’s absence, David Bell emerged as a reliable No. 1 option for the Boilermakers. He has 39 receptions for 425 yards and six touchdowns in four games.

–Field Level Media

Nov 21, 2020; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano, left, shakes hands with Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh before their game at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

McNamara-led Michigan ends skid, outlasts Rutgers in triple OT

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Cade McNamara threw four touchdown passes and ran for another in a relief role, Hassan Haskins scored on a 1-yard plunge in the third overtime, and Michigan ended a three-game losing streak with a 48-42 victory over Rutgers at Piscataway, N.J. on Saturday.

McNamara completed 27 of 36 passes for 260 yards. Starting quarterback Joe Milton was benched late in the first half after completing just five of 12 pass attempts.

Haskins rushed for 112 yards on 23 carries for the Wolverines (2-3, 2-3 Big Ten).

Noah Vedral passed for 378 yards and three touchdowns for Rutgers (1-4, 1-4) and forced overtime by running in a two-point conversion in the final minute.

Michigan’s Quinn Nordin missed a 35-yard field-goal try in the first overtime but Valentino Ambrosio pulled a 45-yard try on Rutgers’ possession.

Jovani Haskins then hauled in a 25-yard scoring pass from Vedral on the next play to put the Scarlet Knights on top. McNamara scored from two yards out as the Wolverines forced a third overtime.

After Haskins put Michigan in front with his scoring run, the two-point conversion pass failed. But the Scarlet Knights failed to pick up a first down on their possession, which ended up with a fourth-down interception.

Michigan’s Giles Jackson returned the third-quarter kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown. He raced along the left sideline as the Wolverines immediately cut the Scarlet Knights’ 10-point halftime advantage to 17-14.

Rutgers got those points back just over a minute later when Vedral found Bo Melton behind the defense on a 61-yard scoring pass.

The Wolverines responded with McNamara’s 8-yard touchdown pass to Nick Eubanks.

Ambrosio’s 42-yard field goal with 6:00 left in the third quarter nudged Rutgers’ lead to 27-21.

The Wolverines took the lead for the first time when wideout Mike Sainristil cut toward the hashmarks and caught a 6-yard pass from McNamara with 13:38 remaining.

McNamara’s fourth scoring toss, a 9-yard hookup with Cornelius Johnson, increased the Wolverines’ lead to 35-27.

Vedral hit Aron Cruickshank with an 11-yard touchdown pass on fourth down with 27 seconds left. Vedral’s run for the two-point conversion tied the game at 35-all.

Rutgers held a 17-7 halftime lead.

–Field Level Media

Nov 7, 2020; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh talks to a referee during the second half of the game at Memorial Stadium. The Indiana Hoosiers defeated the Michigan Wolverines 38 to 21. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports

Struggling Michigan hopes to cure ails vs. Rutgers

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Michigan’s inability to compete with arch-rival Ohio State during the Jim Harbaugh era has been hugely disappointing to its large fan base, but right now, the Wolverines are struggling to beat any Big Ten team.

The Wolverines (1-3, 1-3 Big Ten) have spun into disarray, losing three straight games and looking increasingly bad in the process. The most recent development was an embarrassing, five-touchdown thumping by Wisconsin last week, and now the program Harbaugh was hired to turn into a perennial contender just hopes to get past Rutgers (1-3, 1-3) on Saturday in Piscataway, N.J.

Harbaugh, whose future beyond this season has become a major question mark, is emphasizing a positive approach.

“We’re never going to stop. We’re never going to slow down and we’re darn sure not gonna feel sorry for ourselves,” he said. “Find a way to go 1-0 this week. It’s in the eyes, cheerful and undefeated. Keep pushing, keep attacking.”

Harbaugh is intent on keeping the players engaged, even though their preseason goals have been shattered by the 49-11 home loss to Wisconsin, which followed a 38-21 rout at Indiana and a 27-24 defeat against Michigan State.

“Guys are 18, 19, 20, 21-years-old, everybody has gone through challenges and obstacles at this time of their lives,” he said. “They’re at an age that they’ve gone through obstacles. They’ve had adversity in their lives and they’ve overcome it. … Come back, shake it off and you go forward and you push through with enthusiasm, with a bounce in your step. That’s the objective.”

Joe Milton won the quarterback competition in camp, but he’ll have to fight to hold onto that spot. Milton had two first-half passes intercepted on Saturday and was benched in the third quarter. Cade McNamara led the offense on its lone touchdown drive.

“We’re going to open it up. There will be competition,” Harbaugh said. “Both will see action with the ones throughout the week.”

There’s plenty of other issues confronting Harbaugh. Since the season-opening win at Minnesota, the rushing attack has managed 70.7 yards a game — less than 3.0 yards per attempt with no gains as long as 20 yards.

It’s no wonder Michigan has averaged only 18.7 points a game. Opponents, meantime, are averaging 38 points during the three-game slide, and the Wolverines haven’t forced a turnover.

The Scarlet Knights (1-3) have their own problems. They’ve also dropped three in a row since a season-opening road win at Michigan State.

Coach Greg Schiano is unfazed by the Wolverines’ woes.

“It’s going to be a big challenge,” he said. “I know some look at their record, but it’s still a Michigan football team. They’re very, very talented. They run extremely well.”

Rutgers’ starting quarterback has also struggled, but for now Schiano isn’t making a change.

Nebraska transfer Noah Vedral threw three second-half interceptions in a 23-20 loss to Illinois on Saturday.

“Noah is our starting quarterback,” Schiano said. “I think I need to, from our standpoint at least, kind of settle things down a little bit. We are clearly in the developmental stage of offense, defense and special teams. With everything that has gone on this year, without training camp and spring ball, we can’t get the cart before the horse. But if you look in this developmental stage, offensively we are performing better than any time in the history of Big Ten football for Rutgers.”

Overall, Vedral has been picked off seven times, compared to five touchdown tosses. Bo Melton (20 receptions, four touchdowns) has the main target, while Isaih Pacheco (5.2 yards per carry) leads the rushing attack.

–Field Level Media

Nov 14, 2020; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights wide receiver Bo Melton (18) catches the ball in font of Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Devon Witherspoon (31) during the first half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Illinois rallies past Rutgers for first victory

Posted on | by Field Level Media

James McCourt kicked a 47-yard field goal with three seconds remaining as visiting Illinois edged Rutgers 23-20 Saturday afternoon at Piscataway, N.J.

McCourt returned after missing the previous two games due to contact tracing and avenged missed field goals of 54 and 46 yards earlier in the fourth quarter. Given another chance, he lined up for the game-winner on third-and-2 and his kick sailed just inside the left upright to give Illinois its first lead this season.

After McCourt’s kick, the Illini (1-3, 1-3 Big Ten) secured the victory on the ensuing kickoff when four defenders wrapped up Rutgers’ running back Isaih Pacheco as the Scarlet Knights attempted a lateral.

Isaiah Williams became the fourth quarterback to start for Illinois and did most of his damage on the ground in his first career start. He completed 7-of-18 passes for 104 yards but dominated on the ground with 192 yards on 31 attempts to set a school record for rushing yards by a quarterback.

Chase Brown added a career-high 130 yards as Illinois gained 337 yards on the ground.
McCourt’s game-winner was set up by the third Illinois interception of the second half. On first down, with 1:07 remaining in the game, left cornerback Nate Hobbs intercepted Rutgers’ quarterback Noah Vedral and returned it to the Illinois 46-yard line.

Illinois moved into field goal territory at the Rutgers 37 when Williams connected with Casey Washington for a 16-yard pass with seven seconds remaining.

Vedral completed 21-of-34 passes for 248 yards and two touchdown passes to Bo Melton before throwing his three interceptions. Melton had five receptions for 150 yards as Rutgers (1-3, 1-3) dropped its third straight game.

Pacheco gained 134 yards on 20 carries for Rutgers.

Melton had a 29-yard TD less reception than two minutes into the game on a fourth-down pass and Rutgers, eventually took a 13-7 lead at halftime. Melton’s 66-yard TD reception with 7:43 left in the third quarter gave the Scarlet Knights a 20-10 lead.

Illinois got within 20-17 on a 1-yard run by Mike Epstein with 4:54 left in the third and tied the game on McCourt’s 23-yard field goal with 13:02 remaining.

–Field Level Media

Nov 7, 2020; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights quarterback Noah Vedral (0) throws during the first quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

Improved Rutgers ready and favored against Illinois

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Rutgers joined the Big Ten Conference in the 2014 season and this season the Scarlet Knights have finally managed to score at least 20 points in three straight conference games.

The Scarlet Knights may have only one win to show for the improved offense, but it is a sign of their improvement under coach Greg Schiano as they head into Saturday’s game against Illinois in Piscataway, N.J. Yet, Schiano isn’t ready to accept congratulations quite yet.

“Other people’s records and everything going on in the league, it means absolutely nothing to the result on Saturday,” Schiano said. “It can’t. Everything has to be focused on our preparation to go out and play the best we can play against Illinois.”

Rutgers (1-2, 1-2 Big Ten) began Schiano’s second stint with the team — the first was from 2001-11 — with an eye-opening, 38-27 win at Michigan State on Oct. 24. The Knights followed that with a 37-21 loss to Indiana in their home opener, and then last week’s 49-27 loss at Ohio State, when they trailed 35-3 at halftime.

“We feel some confidence just from the fight,” Rutgers quarterback Noah Vedral said. “I’m proud of my guys for not laying down. They showed a lot of grit and ability to chop even in tough circumstances.”

Vedral was 22 of 33 for 168 yards at Ohio State and has a 63.5 completion percentage for the season, with three touchdown passes.

Illinois (0-3, 0-3) will be without quarterback Brandon Peters for a third straight game as he recovers from COVID-19. Sophomore Coran Taylor started in Saturday’s 41-14 loss to Minnesota, and threw (106 yards) and ran (42) for a combined 148 yards as Illinois was outgained 541-287.

“They dominated us on both sides of the football,” Illinois coach Lovie Smith said. “We had a couple of takeaways, and that was good, but not much else happened.”

On Saturday, Smith will have a second quarterback at his disposal: Isaiah Williams is expected to be available after finishing his 14-day quarantine. He was among 12 players unavailable due to COVID-19 protocols.

“He’s getting all the coaching in the film room that Coran, and everybody else was getting while he was away,” Illinois offensive coordinator Rod Smith said of Williams. “What Isaiah missed is the physical reps.”

Whoever gets time at quarterback, the Fighting Illini hope to see improvement for an offense with the fewest average passing yards (162.7 per game) in the Big Ten. The offense is 13th in the conference in total yards at 325.7 a game.

“We’re underdogs again, and I see why,” Smith said, alluding to Rutgers being established as a favorite for the first time since 2014 (against Indiana). “As much as anything, we are playing Rutgers, but it’s also about us not playing our best ball.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 7, 2020; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights quarterback Noah Vedral (0) throws during the first quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

Improved Rutgers ready and favored against Illinois

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Rutgers joined the Big Ten Conference in the 2014 season and this season the Scarlet Knights have finally managed to score at least 20 points in three straight conference games.

The Scarlet Knights may have only one win to show for the improved offense, but it is a sign of their improvement under coach Greg Schiano as they head into Saturday’s game against Illinois in Piscataway, N.J. Yet, Schiano isn’t ready to accept congratulations quite yet.

“Other people’s records and everything going on in the league, it means absolutely nothing to the result on Saturday,” Schiano said. “It can’t. Everything has to be focused on our preparation to go out and play the best we can play against Illinois.”

Rutgers (1-2, 1-2 Big Ten) began Schiano’s second stint with the team — the first was from 2001-11 — with an eye-opening, 38-27 win at Michigan State on Oct. 24. The Knights followed that with a 37-21 loss to Indiana in their home opener, and then last week’s 49-27 loss at Ohio State, when they trailed 35-3 at halftime.

“We feel some confidence just from the fight,” Rutgers quarterback Noah Vedral said. “I’m proud of my guys for not laying down. They showed a lot of grit and ability to chop even in tough circumstances.”

Vedral was 22 of 33 for 168 yards at Ohio State and has a 63.5 completion percentage for the season, with three touchdown passes.

Illinois (0-3, 0-3) will be without quarterback Brandon Peters for a third straight game as he recovers from COVID-19. Sophomore Coran Taylor started in Saturday’s 41-14 loss to Minnesota, and threw (106 yards) and ran (42) for a combined 148 yards as Illinois was outgained 541-287.

“They dominated us on both sides of the football,” Illinois coach Lovie Smith said. “We had a couple of takeaways, and that was good, but not much else happened.”

On Saturday, Smith will have a second quarterback at his disposal: Isaiah Williams is expected to be available after finishing his 14-day quarantine. He was among 12 players unavailable due to COVID-19 protocols.

“He’s getting all the coaching in the film room that Coran, and everybody else was getting while he was away,” Illinois offensive coordinator Rod Smith said of Williams. “What Isaiah missed is the physical reps.”

Whoever gets time at quarterback, the Fighting Illini hope to see improvement for an offense with the fewest average passing yards (162.7 per game) in the Big Ten. The offense is 13th in the conference in total yards at 325.7 a game.

“We’re underdogs again, and I see why,” Smith said, alluding to Rutgers being established as a favorite for the first time since 2014 (against Indiana). “As much as anything, we are playing Rutgers, but it’s also about us not playing our best ball.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 7, 2020; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights quarterback Noah Vedral (0) throws during the first quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

Improved Rutgers ready and favored against Illinois

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Rutgers joined the Big Ten Conference in the 2014 season and this season the Scarlet Knights have finally managed to score at least 20 points in three straight conference games.

The Scarlet Knights may have only one win to show for the improved offense, but it is a sign of their improvement under coach Greg Schiano as they head into Saturday’s game against Illinois in Piscataway, N.J. Yet, Schiano isn’t ready to accept congratulations quite yet.

“Other people’s records and everything going on in the league, it means absolutely nothing to the result on Saturday,” Schiano said. “It can’t. Everything has to be focused on our preparation to go out and play the best we can play against Illinois.”

Rutgers (1-2, 1-2 Big Ten) began Schiano’s second stint with the team — the first was from 2001-11 — with an eye-opening, 38-27 win at Michigan State on Oct. 24. The Knights followed that with a 37-21 loss to Indiana in their home opener, and then last week’s 49-27 loss at Ohio State, when they trailed 35-3 at halftime.

“We feel some confidence just from the fight,” Rutgers quarterback Noah Vedral said. “I’m proud of my guys for not laying down. They showed a lot of grit and ability to chop even in tough circumstances.”

Vedral was 22 of 33 for 168 yards at Ohio State and has a 63.5 completion percentage for the season, with three touchdown passes.

Illinois (0-3, 0-3) will be without quarterback Brandon Peters for a third straight game as he recovers from COVID-19. Sophomore Coran Taylor started in Saturday’s 41-14 loss to Minnesota, and threw (106 yards) and ran (42) for a combined 148 yards as Illinois was outgained 541-287.

“They dominated us on both sides of the football,” Illinois coach Lovie Smith said. “We had a couple of takeaways, and that was good, but not much else happened.”

On Saturday, Smith will have a second quarterback at his disposal: Isaiah Williams is expected to be available after finishing his 14-day quarantine. He was among 12 players unavailable due to COVID-19 protocols.

“He’s getting all the coaching in the film room that Coran, and everybody else was getting while he was away,” Illinois offensive coordinator Rod Smith said of Williams. “What Isaiah missed is the physical reps.”

Whoever gets time at quarterback, the Fighting Illini hope to see improvement for an offense with the fewest average passing yards (162.7 per game) in the Big Ten. The offense is 13th in the conference in total yards at 325.7 a game.

“We’re underdogs again, and I see why,” Smith said, alluding to Rutgers being established as a favorite for the first time since 2014 (against Indiana). “As much as anything, we are playing Rutgers, but it’s also about us not playing our best ball.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 7, 2020; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights quarterback Noah Vedral (0) throws during the first quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

Improved Rutgers ready and favored against Illinois

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Rutgers joined the Big Ten Conference in the 2014 season and this season the Scarlet Knights have finally managed to score at least 20 points in three straight conference games.

The Scarlet Knights may have only one win to show for the improved offense, but it is a sign of their improvement under coach Greg Schiano as they head into Saturday’s game against Illinois in Piscataway, N.J. Yet, Schiano isn’t ready to accept congratulations quite yet.

“Other people’s records and everything going on in the league, it means absolutely nothing to the result on Saturday,” Schiano said. “It can’t. Everything has to be focused on our preparation to go out and play the best we can play against Illinois.”

Rutgers (1-2, 1-2 Big Ten) began Schiano’s second stint with the team — the first was from 2001-11 — with an eye-opening, 38-27 win at Michigan State on Oct. 24. The Knights followed that with a 37-21 loss to Indiana in their home opener, and then last week’s 49-27 loss at Ohio State, when they trailed 35-3 at halftime.

“We feel some confidence just from the fight,” Rutgers quarterback Noah Vedral said. “I’m proud of my guys for not laying down. They showed a lot of grit and ability to chop even in tough circumstances.”

Vedral was 22 of 33 for 168 yards at Ohio State and has a 63.5 completion percentage for the season, with three touchdown passes.

Illinois (0-3, 0-3) will be without quarterback Brandon Peters for a third straight game as he recovers from COVID-19. Sophomore Coran Taylor started in Saturday’s 41-14 loss to Minnesota, and threw (106 yards) and ran (42) for a combined 148 yards as Illinois was outgained 541-287.

“They dominated us on both sides of the football,” Illinois coach Lovie Smith said. “We had a couple of takeaways, and that was good, but not much else happened.”

On Saturday, Smith will have a second quarterback at his disposal: Isaiah Williams is expected to be available after finishing his 14-day quarantine. He was among 12 players unavailable due to COVID-19 protocols.

“He’s getting all the coaching in the film room that Coran, and everybody else was getting while he was away,” Illinois offensive coordinator Rod Smith said of Williams. “What Isaiah missed is the physical reps.”

Whoever gets time at quarterback, the Fighting Illini hope to see improvement for an offense with the fewest average passing yards (162.7 per game) in the Big Ten. The offense is 13th in the conference in total yards at 325.7 a game.

“We’re underdogs again, and I see why,” Smith said, alluding to Rutgers being established as a favorite for the first time since 2014 (against Indiana). “As much as anything, we are playing Rutgers, but it’s also about us not playing our best ball.”

–Field Level Media