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COLLEGE PARK, Maryland – The scene that played out Saturday night at SECU Stadium was one that not too long ago seemed unlikely.
Rutgers football, fresh off a convincing 31-17 victory over Maryland, celebrating and dancing and cheering following a second consecutive victory, one that locked up bowl eligibility for a second consecutive season.
Just three weeks ago, the Scarlet Knights had suffered their fourth straight loss. Injuries had piled up. A defense expected to be the team’s backbone was underperforming. The season, which so many had pegged as having the potential to be a “special” one before it all began, seemed like it was on life support.
Then Rutgers brought it back to life.
“I think they really are an unselfish group that plays for each other,” coach Greg Schiano said. “You guys know, we’re down a lot of guys right now. But other guys are stepping up. To see the guys who have experience to help the guys that don’t, I think that’s really cool as a coach. It’s good stuff.”
Nov 16, 2024; College Park, Maryland, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai (5) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images
There are multiple ingredients to this turnaround.
Rutgers football: ‘Play for each other’
First came a critical bye week that allowed players to get healthier – maybe not fully healthy, but healthier. It also allowed time for defensive coordinator Joe Harasymiak to make adjustments to his unit. Not wholesale changes, but adjustments.
And that bye week also offered Rutgers’ players a chance to recalibrate, to remember why so many of them postponed their NFL dreams and decided to come back for one more season in the first place.
“We had lost four straight, but I thought that…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/bowl-bound-rutgers-football-found-090153148.html
Author : App.com | Asbury Park Press
Publish date : 2024-11-17 09:01:53
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