‘Getting back to who we are:’ Rutgers football’s defense working on fixes ahead of USC

PISCATAWAY – For Rutgers football to turn this season back around, for the Scarlet Knights to get back to winning games and looking like the formidable team it was through the opening weeks of the season, its defense needs to make considerable and immediate improvements.

So far, Joe Harasymiak’s unit hasn’t lived up to expectations, partly because of injuries to multiple impact players but also simply because of underperformance.

The Scarlet Knights’ next chance to iron out their issues will come Friday night when they battle Southern California at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (FOX, 11 p.m. ET), hoping to snap a three-game losing streak ahead of the team’s second bye week of the season.

Through seven games, Rutgers has allowed 22.3 points per game (15th in the Big Ten), 385.3 total yards per game (17th) and 170.3 rushing yards per game (17th). The Scarlet Knights’ pass defense has been better, yielding 215.0 yards per game, eighth in the conference – though UCLA quarterback Ethan Garbers carved up Rutgers’ defense for 383 yards and four touchdowns in a 35-32 win on Saturday.

“Right now we’re working on getting back to who we are,” cornerback Robert Longerbeam said. “We’ve just got to play with a level of violence that we preach and we’ve just got to get back to that standard.”

Rutgers defensive coordinator Joe Harasymiak has needed to navigate multiple injuries to key players on his defense.

USC’s offense, averaging 434.0 yards per game, isn’t easy to slow down, even if Lincoln Riley’s team, also on a three-game losing streak, hasn’t lived up to most expectations.

“Talented as all get out,” Rutgers coach Greg Schiano said Monday. “Schematically, they present as many issues as anybody we’ll play all year.”

Upheaval this season for Rutgers football’s defense, depth getting…

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Author : App.com | Asbury Park Press

Publish date : 2024-10-23 08:07:13

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