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PHOENIX – They walked back toward the locker room in the bowels of Chase Field with stunned looks on their faces. Members of Rutgers football team left frustrated and disappointed after a Rate Bowl victory slipped right through their grasp.
Up 17 points in the second half, only for Kansas State to stage a comeback that ended with a 44-41 victory for the Wildcats – a loss that will sting Rutgers for a while.
The Scarlet Knights’ defense struggled. An offense that was practically unstoppable in the first half became stagnant in the second.
Miscues. Misplays. Mistakes.
They piled up.
So instead of celebrating a bowl win, Rutgers walked off the field and into whatever comes next.
This game offered glimpses of both promise and concern.
Dec 26, 2024; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (16) against the Kansas State Wildcats during the first half of the Rate Bowl at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Because while the offense did struggle to move the ball after halftime, it clearly has potential. The defense, though, faces questions, the biggest of which centering on who exactly will lead it as coach Greg Schiano looks for a new defensive coordinator to replace Joe Harasymiak.
“Losing Joe Harasymiak certainly wasn’t a great thing for us,” Schiano said. “Everybody worked very hard to try to make it work. I’m not going to rush to hire somebody to just do it for the bowl game. We’re going to get the right guy for the future here. We will.”
Rutgers needs it.
Rutgers football’s defense faces questions heading into future
The Scarlet Knights’ performance on Thursday was discouraging – although Kansas State’s offense is a solid unit.
The Wildcats had 542 yards of total offense. They had 347 rushing yards, with 196 of them coming from running back Dylan Edwards….
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/rutgers-footballs-future-looks-disappointing-090258438.html
Author : App.com | Asbury Park Press
Publish date : 2024-12-27 09:02:00
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