Can Rutgers football fix its defense in time to turn the season back around?

PISCATAWAY – Rutgers football’s defense was supposed to be the Scarlet Knights’ strength, the part of the team that would largely drive any success the program could achieve this season.

Yet after six games, the unit has instead been largely a disappointment.

The latest evidence arrived on Saturday, leaving head coach Greg Schiano and defensive coordinator Joe Harasymiak with some decisions to make in the days ahead.

The Scarlet Knights surrendered 478 total yards of offense to UCLA in a 35-32 loss on Saturday at SHI Stadium, Rutgers’ third consecutive loss.

Bruins quarterback Ethan Garbers finished 32-of-38 passing for 383 yard and four touchdowns, frequently managing to expose holes in Rutgers’ defense.

The concerns on that side of the ball continue to build.

Injuries are a big one. So is tackling, which continues to be inconsistent, to put it mildly.

Oct 19, 2024; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Ethan Garbers (4) breaks a tackle by Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive back Desmond Igbinosun (4) during a touchdown run during the first half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Regardless, the defense needs to be better if the Scarlet Knights are going to turn this once promising season back around, starting Saturday against USC in Los Angeles.

“When you look at it, you score 32 points in a Big Ten football game, that should be good enough,” Schiano said. “It wasn’t today but it should be, especially the way our program is built. We didn’t get it done defensively, and we’ve got to look at it and figure it out.”

Part of that “figuring it out” stems from the injuries.

Rutgers, which lost linebacker Mohamed Toure to a torn ACL before the season even began, was without defensive ends Aaron Lewis and Wesley Bailey.

Of the players who were available, cornerback Robert…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/rutgers-football-fix-defense-time-080242219.html

Author : App.com | Asbury Park Press

Publish date : 2024-10-20 08:02:42

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