(WNFL) – Rutgers has been since it joined the Big Ten been that sort of overlooked-and-forgotten football program.
So what is there to know about the Scarlet Knights?
Here are points to ponder …
• Rutgers is 4-1 to start the season for the second consecutive year.
• Rutgers is 8-2 at home since 2023.
• Rutgers ranks second nationally in blocked punts (2), fourth in fewest penalties per game (4.0), sixth in red zone defense (61.5 percent), 17th in scoring defense (15.8), 18th in time of possession (32:36), 19th in fewest turnovers surrendered (4), 20th in first downs defense (81), 22nd in rushing offense (205.8) and 28th in passing defense (176.4).
• Rutgers has scored a touchdown on 17-of-25 trips to the red zone (68 percent).
• Rutgers is 15-1 since 2020 when not committing a turnover in a game.
• Rutgers has scored 63 non-offensive touchdowns under head coach Greg Schiano, including 12 since 2020.
• Rutgers has blocked 73 kicks (43 punts, 17 field goals, 13 extra points) under Schiano.
• Rutgers, “The Birthplace of College Football,” has played 1,414 games in program history on record dating back to 1869, the most in the
sport.
VERSUS WISCONSIN
• Rutgers will play Wisconsin for the sixth time since joining the Big Ten in 2014 and third time in Piscataway. The programs did not previously meet.
• Last year in Madison, Rutgers outscored Wisconsin in the second half, 13-7, but was unable to overcome a 17-0 halftime deficit in a 24-13 loss at Camp Randall Stadium. DL Wesley Bailey posted a career-high two sacks, with Max Melton and LB Mohamed Toure each forcing a fumble. WR Ian Strong and Aaron Young each had touchdown receptions.
• Rutgers has two players from the state of Wisconsin on the roster: OL Carter Kadow (Middleton) and LB Sam Pilof (Middleton).
• Rutgers game highs versus Wisconsin:
Rushing Yards: Josh Hicks, 72 (2015)
Passing Yards: Artur Sitkowski, 261 (2018)
Receiving Yards: Raheem Blackshear, 162 (2018)
LAST TIME OUT
• Rutgers held Nebraska scoreless and to 55 yards of total offense in the second half, but was unable to overcome the Cornhuskers’ two touchdowns in the first half in a 14-7 loss at Memorial Stadium. It was the Scarlet Knights’ first trip to Lincoln since 2017.
• Both DB Flip Dixon and LB Jamier Wright-Collins blocked punts in the game. It was the 15th game Rutgers blocked multiple kicks under head coach Greg Schiano.
• Dixon recorded his third career interception, while LB Dariel Djabome, DL Kyonte Hamilton, DL Aaron Lewis and DL Jordan Thompson all recorded sacks.
• Overall, the defense held Nebraska to 15 first downs and 261 yards of total offense.
• QB Athan Kaliakmanis found WR Ben Black for an 11-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter. RB Kyle Monangai rushed for 78 yards on 19 carries.
• WR KJ Duff, DB Bo Mascoe and OL Taj White all made their first career starts.
• The game-time temperature was 97 degrees
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