The Rutgers Scarlet Knights come into Ohio Stadium 1-0, fresh off a 35-7 victory over Texas State.
For head coach Chris Ash, starting off the season with a victory was three years in the making, as Rutgers had lost both the 2016 and 2017 season openers. The fact that Texas State was coming off a 2-10 season in 2017 made no difference to Ash.
“It’s been three years to get there, but opening the season 1-0 is great,” he said after the game.
It certainly makes sense why Rutgers would be relishing this victory, as the previous two encounters against Ohio State have not been easy to take. In 2016, Ohio State shut out Rutgers 58-0, and in 2017, Ohio State shut out Rutgers 56-0. Add that up, and Rutgers is down 114-0 to the Buckeyes over two seasons.
There is an expression commonly associated with investments: “Previous performance does not guarantee future results”.
Rutgers is certainly hoping that is the case when they take the field in Ohio Stadium.
So knowing the challenges ahead, what are some of the things the Scarlet Knights may try against the Buckeyes in their quest for success?
Establish The Rutgers Running Game
Isaih Pacheco, Raheem Blackshear, and Jonathan Hilliman are three running backs who will try to replicate their success from the Texas State victory. Pacheco, Blackshear, and Hilliman all ran for at least 60 yards, while Blackshear and Hilliman also contributed to the scoring (Blackshear with one touchdown, Hilliman had two touchdowns).
While Ohio State is going to try to improve on their run defense performance from the Oregon State game, Rutgers may try to establish their running game in an effort to help their true freshman quarterback Art Sitkowski, which leads me to…
Using Screens To Negate Ohio State’s Pass Rush
Art Sitkowski threw three interceptions against Texas State in his collegiate debut. While Sitkowski’s interceptions were not overly harmful, one of the interceptions was returned for a touchdown by Texas State. Ohio State’s pass rush had five sacks on Oregon State’s quarterbacks in game one, so expect Rutgers to use screens to combat the fearsome Buckeye pass rush.
Will Rutgers Use Press Coverage Against Dwayne Haskins?
Rutgers was able to pressure Texas State with three sacks and 11 tackles for loss.
The leading Rutgers defender in this effort was defensive lineman Elorm Lumor (great name, by the way), with a sack and two tackles for loss. Chris Ash is a proponent of playing press coverage, but will he try that scheme knowing how one mistake can result in a touchdown for the Buckeyes?