RU vs. Indiana Gameday Wrap 2016-11-04

Brian Fonseca Sports Editor

For the first time all season, the Rutgers football team will enter a game coming off a bye week. The Scarlet Knights (2-6, 0-5) are hosting an Indiana team coming off its best offensive performance of the season in a narrow 42-36 win over Maryland.

Can the fact the Knights are looking to return back into their routine after the first pause in their weekly routine in three See NOTHING on Page 4

Gameday Page 2

KNIGHTS GAMEDAY

November 4, 2016

RUTGERS VS. INDIANA GAME 8: High Point Solutions Stadium, 12 P.M. TV: ESPNEWS

RADIO: Rutgers IMG Sports Network

Seymour shines in move to O-line Eric Mullin Associate Sports Editor

If you had told Kamaal Seymour earlier in the season that he would be the Rutgers football team’s starting right tackle entering its matchup with Indiana this Saturday, he wouldn’t have believed you.

And for good reason.

For starters, Seymour was the No. 2 defensive tackle recruit in New York coming out of high school and had been a defensive lineman during his the first year-plus of time on the Banks.

While he redshirted as a true freshman, Seymour practiced as a defensive lineman for the entire 2015 season and during the Scarlet Knights’ first spring camp under head football coach Chris Ash. But during summer camp, the Brooklyn native was moved to the other side of the line of scrimmage and converted to an exterior offensive lineman.

“Yeah, anything to help the team,” Seymour said on his reaction to being asked to convert to an offensive lineman. “If that’s gonna push the team forward or help us get better, I’ll do it.”

Just a few months after making the move from defensive tackle to

arguably the toughest position on the offensive line, Seymour made his first career start in R ​ utgers’ 3432 loss to Minnesota after senior right tackle J.J. Denman was held out with an injury.

“It’s unreal,” Seymour said of becoming a starter this soon.

While he had gotten into 3 of the Knights’ 4 prior Big Ten games, his start against the Golden Gophers was his first true test at his new position and, for the most part, he passed. In a game that saw Rutgers’ offensive line surrender four sacks, Seymour earned praise for his performance from senior captain Darius Hamilton, who said Seymour played an “outstanding game” and is going to be a “special player” postgame.

In his weekly Monday press conference, Ash echoed Hamilton’s praise and added that Seymour will be the team’s starting right tackle moving forward.

If you’re curious as to how Seymour has been able to seamlessly transition to offensive tackle and put a stronghold on the starting spot this soon, look no further than his drive to master his new position.

“Kamaal’s made progress every week. Like most of the guys in our group, he’s really hungry to learn,” said offensive line coach AJ

Sophomore Kamaal Seymour is set to make his second straight start at right tackle. He originally came to Rutgers as a defensive tackle.

DIMITRI RODRIGUEZ / PHOTO EDITOR / OCTOBER 2016

INSIDE

Blazek. “His upside is really high right now. He’s a sponge, he comes in for extra meetings all the time ...

He’s greedy to get better and those are the guys you want to come out, they’re not afraid to make a mistake ... Mentally, he’s much tougher than you would think just talking to him cause he’s a quiet guy.”

Sans the quarterback position, which is not only the most important position in football but arguably in all of sports, the most valuable positions in football are on the outside. Powerful offenses are fueled by tackles that can consistently protect the quarterback’s blind spots in the pocket and skill players to deliver the ball too.

It’s non-coincidental that those two offensive position’s counterpoints — defensive end and cornerback, respectively — are also the two most salient groups on the defensive side of the ball.

The Knights are already set up nicely for the present and future at left tackle with sophomore tackle Tariq Cole, who Pro Football Focus graded out as the Big Ten’s top rush and pass blocker from the position to this point in the season.

Lining up opposite of Cole on Rutgers’ line, Seymour still has development to make in his transition to the position before he reaches the Cole’s level of play. For instance, Blazek said, Seymour still has to shake some of his defensive lineman habits.

But considering where he was six months ago, he’s off to a great start.

“I actually am really excited about Kamaal and the move he made over to offense,” Ash said. “He continues to get better. I think he just needed to get some game reps, which he got against Minnesota. They were productive ones. Be honest with you, I’m really excited about our tackle position, both left tackle and right tackle, for the future. Him and Cole standing next to each other are two good-looking guys. They’ve got a lot of time to play together and they continue to learn the offense.

Excited about Kamaal.”

the

NUMBERS RUTGERS (2-6)

PASSING CMP G. Rescigno 57.1% RUSHING NO. R. Martin 97 J. Goodwin 67 RECEVING NO. J. Harris 21 A. Patton 17 N. Arcidiaccano 9 DEFENSE T. Morris J. Pinnix-Odrick A. Cioffi

YDS 340 YDS 515 299 YDS 255 271 57

TD 4 TD 1 0 TD 3 4 1 TKL 63 33 45

INT AVG 3 113.3 LNG AVG 80 5.3 24 4.5 LNG AVG 75 12.1 38 15.9 13 6.3 SCK INT 0 0 4.5 0 0 2

For updates on the Rutgers football team, follow @EricMullin_ and @TargumSports on Twitter.

TD 12 0 TD 2 2 TD 4 1 TKL 80 61 56

INT AVG 11 272.5 0 39 LNG AVG 36 4.8 22 4.3 LNG AVG 79 17.4 65 17.6 SCK INT 2 1 4 0 0 2

SCHEDULE

SCHEDULE Sept. 3 Sept. 10 Sept. 17 Sept. 24 Oct. 1 Oct. 8 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Nov. 5 Nov. 12 Nov. 21 Nov. 28

INDIANA (4-4)

PASSING CMP YDS R. Lagow 60.1% 2180 Z. Diamont 75% 78 RUSHING NO. YDS D. Redding 149 720 T. Natee 41 175 RECEVING NO. YDS N. Westbrook 36 628 R. Jones 35 616 DEFENSE T. Scales M. Oliver M. Ball

Washington Howard New Mexico Iowa Ohio State Michigan Illinois Minnesota Indiana Michigan State Penn State Maryland

L 48-13 W 52-14 W 37-28 L 14-7 L 58-0 L 78-0 L 24-7 L 34-32 noon noon 8 p.m.

TBA

Sept. 1 Sept. 10 Sept. 24 Oct. 1 Oct. 8 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 29 Nov. 5 Nov. 12 Nov. 19 Nov. 26

FIU Ball State Wake Forest Michigan State Ohio State Nebraska Northwestern Maryland Rutgers Penn State Michigan Purdue

W 34-13 W 30-20 L 33-28 W 24-21 L 38-17 L 27-22 L 24-14 W 42-36 noon TBA TBA TBA

Key Matchup

Knights’ defense vs. Hoosiers’ rush The Hoosiers come to Piscataway on the heels of a 414-yard rushing effort in a 42-36 win over Maryland. Indiana had three 100yard rushers and six touchdowns from five different ball carriers.

Rutgers boasts the Big Ten’s worst rushing defense, surrending an average of 311 yards on 5.7 yards per carry across five conference games.

Rutgers Athletics Creed We are Scarlet Knights, the most PASSIONATE fans in college athletics.

We CHEER our teams, win or lose.

We STAND when our teams enter and exit the field of play.

We WELCOME our opponents and their fans as guests in our university home.

We RESPECT all student-athletes and celebrate their efforts.

We know our ENTHUSIASM on game day helps to recruit the nation’s best.

We STRIVE to make everyone’s experience enjoyable.

We are the STATE UNIVERSITY and BIG TEN proud.

This is RUTGERS.

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP: OFFENSE

ANDRE PATTON WIDE RECEIVER

TARIQ COLE LEFT TACKLE

DORIAN MILLER LEFT GUARD

DERRICK NELSON CENTER

CHRIS MULLER RIGHT GUARD

JJ DENMAN RIGHT TACKLE

NICK ARCIDIACONO TIGHT END

JAWUAN HARRIS WIDE RECEIVER

GIOVANNI RESCIGNO QUARTERBACK

JOHN TSIMIS WIDE RECEIVER

ROBERT MARTIN RUNNING BACK

Senior 6’-4”, 210 lbs.

Sophomore 6’-6”, 313 lbs.

Junior 6’-2”, 294 lbs.

Senior 6’-3”, 295 lbs.

Senior 6’-6”, 312 lbs.

Senior 6’-5”, 315 lbs.

Senior 6’-4”, 244 lbs.

Redshirt Freshman 5’-9”, 192 lbs.

Sophomore 6’-3”, 224 lbs.

Senior 5’-11”, 194 lbs.

Junior 5’-11”, 210 lbs.

BLESSUAN AUSTIN CORNERBACK

ANTHONY CIOFFI STRONG SAFETY

SAQUON HAMPTON FREE SAFETY

ISAIAH WHARTON CORNERBACK

Sophomore 6’-1”, 198 lbs.

Senior 6’-0”, 203 lbs.

Sophomore 6’-1”, 207 lbs.

Sophomore 6’-1”, 202 lbs.

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP: DEFENSE

DARNELL DAVIS DEFENSIVE END

SEBASTIAN JOSEPH NOSE TACKLE

JULIAN PINNIX-ODRICK DEFENSIVE END

DARIUS HAMILTON DEF. TACKLE

TREVOR MORRIS WLB

DEONTE ROBERTS MLB

TYREEK WILLIAMS SLB

Junior 6’-2”, 250 lbs.

Junior 6’-4”, 295 lbs.

Senior 6’-5”, 274 lbs.

Senior 6’-3”, 286 lbs.

Sophomore 6’-1”, 226 lbs.

Sophomore 6’-1”, 238 lbs.

Freshman 6’-0”, 214 lbs.

November 4, 2016

Gameday Page 3

KNIGHT NUGGETS

BY THE NUMBERS

69

Of the 351 plays Rutgers’ defense has faced in conference play, 69 percent of them have been rushes. RU has faced the least amount of passing attemps in the Big Ten.

5

Five different Hoosiers scored a touchdown against Maryland, which is believed to be the first time in program history that has happened against an FBS opponent.

1

Aside from a roght outing against Anthony Nelson and Iowa, sophomore left tackle Tariq Cole has allowed just one quarterback hurry this season.

650

Indiana amassed 650 total yards of offense in its win over Maryland last weekend. That mark is tied for the fourth most

in school history.

BIG QUESTION CAN RUTGERS EARN ITS FIRST BIG TEN WIN UNDER CHRIS ASH? Rutgers was on the brink of its first Big Ten win in Minneapolis, but a late Golden Golphers’ field goal spoiled the Knights’ bid. Can they close out a win if they keep it tight?

Chris Ash Head Football Coach

THE ADVANTAGE GOES TO OFFENSE

Indiana’s passing game has always been prolific under Coach Kevin Wilson and the Hoosiers are becoming more diverse with their deadly rushing attack. Meanwhile, Rutgers ranks last in the Big Ten in scoring, passing and total offense.

DEFENSE

Rutgers ranks second in the Big Ten in passing defense mostly because teams take advantage of its porous rush defense, which ranks sixth-worst in the country. Not hard to top that, advantage Indiana.

COACHING

The Hoosiers haven’t been able to muster many signature wins under Kevin Wilson, but they’ve remained consistently competitive in the dauting Big Ten East.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Indiana has a respectable punting game and are decent in kickoff coverage. Rutgers has struggled in both categories, in addition to the return game since Janarion Grant suffered a season-ending injury.

X-FACTOR

Making his first start at home sophomore quarterback Giovanni Rescigno will look to build on Rutgers’ best offensive performance of the season. Coming off the bye week with time to heal his injured hamstring, he should be back to 100 percent.

MOMENTUM

Indiana enters Piscataway on the heels of its most impressive offensive display of the season, racking up 400 yards rushing in a 45-36 win over Maryland. Meanwhile, the Knights were on their bye week.

RUTGERS WINS IF

INDIANA WINS IF

THE KNIGHTS PLAY CLEAN GAME, LIMIT TURNOVERS

THE HOOSIERS RUN THE BALL AS WELL AS THEY DID LAST WEEK

Rutgers has eight turnovers over its past two games. If the Knights can not shoot themselves in the foot, they should have a chance.

Indiana gashed Maryland for 414 rushing yards last weekend. If the Hooisers can replicate that success against RU, they should leave Jersey with a win.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK “Thought about (Big Ten Friday night games next season) for 5 minutes and just turned focus back to Indiana.”

CHRIS ASH Head Football Coach

TARGUM’S FINAL VERDICT INDIANA WINS, 35-31 Rutgers offense returns to level of play it had against Minnesota in Rescigno’s second career start. Unfortunately for the Knights, as does its rushing defense. Indiana gathers 600 yards of total offense.

Sophomore left tackle Tariq Cole has excelled in his first year as a starter, being recognized as the most underrated player in the Big Ten by Pro Football Focus. DIMITRI RODRIGUEZ / PHOTO EDITOR / OCTOBER 2016

Sophomore quietly excels for Rutgers Brian Fonseca

tle stuf f. Because physically, it’s there, improving with his technique and per fecting his craft.”

In addition to improving his From the early days of his first technique, Cole also took advantage training camp with the Rutgers of the offseason conditioning defootball team this past August, head mands of strength and conditioning coach Chris Ash has preached the coach Kenny Parker’s program over importance that dominating at the the winter, shedding 40 pounds to line of scrimmage has on the outdrop to a more mobile 313 pounds come of a football game. Win the on his 6-foot-6 frame. battle in the trenches and the ScarThe mobility let Knights would adds to the athbe well on their leticism Miller way to leaving the “He’s got a lot of work to do, he knows that, but he described seeing field with a victory shows the upside to be a really good player.” in his teammate, on any given Sata skillset that urday. lets him get away Two-thirds AJ Blazek with some things through his first Offensive Line Coach that others season on the would be getting Banks, Ash’s philosophy has proven correct for the show how dominant Cole has been chewed out by the coaching staff most part, though it has worked this season. According to the ar- for during film sessions.

“There’s certain things athletagainst his team. The Knights (2-6, ticle, aside from a rough outing 0-5) have yet to win a Big Ten game against Iowa and Anthony Nelson ically that he can do that other in five attempts, having lost the sack — who ranked two spots below guys can’t,” Miller said of Cole.

Cole on the list at three — the “He’s definitely a physical freak battle in every contest.

Rutgers ranks dead-last in the Long Beach, New York, native has in some ways ... I remember when conference in sacks against, having allowed just one quarterback pres- he came in, he was swole, his face was real swole ... and when allowed its quarterback to be taken sure in six games.

He was given an overall grade you look at the pictures from the down in the pocket 17 times in five conference matchups, while rank- of 82.6 by the website, the top past and compare them to how he ing penultimate in sacks with just ranking in the conference and looks now, he definitely made a 11th best nationally at his posi- full transformation.” five in as many games.

But for as far as he’s come, the But amid the chaos and strug- tion, while also owning both the gles of an offensive line suffering best pass and run-blocking grades road ahead for Cole resembles the long, winded one of the program he from injury — starting right tackle in the Big Ten. “He’s just consistently been plays for. As the Knights approach J.J. Denman has been banged up, and his status for this Saturday’s working. Anything that coach the final four game stretch of the game against Indiana is a game Blazek’s been tr ying to ingrain season, Cole will be expected to do time decision — and continuously in him,” said junior left guard what got him to this point — put his learning and adapting to a change Dorian Miller. “It was just cool head down and grind.

“If you ask me, we’re Rutgers, in offensive style has been the for me, playing next to him. I’ve just been for tunate to play next I enjoy being underrated,” Blazek steady presence of Tariq Cole.

The sophomore has appeared to a couple of guys who’ve been said. “All that does is put a big tarand started in seven of Rutgers’ regarded to be pretty good. (For- get on you. He’s got a lot of work to eight games at left tackle this sea- mer Rutgers of fensive tackle do, he knows that, but he shows the son, excelling in his first year as Keith) Lumpkin was big, athletic, upside to be a really good player.” physically-freaky guy and Tariq a starter.

For updates on the Rutgers footIn an article published by Pro is kind of the same and he’s Football Focus ranking the most definitely been improving ever y ball team, follow @briannnnf and underrated players in each con- week and honing in on the lit- @TargumSports on Twitter.

Sports Editor

ference within college football, Cole was ranked atop the list for the Big Ten. “Somebody sent that to me the other day and it’s a good honor for Tariq as a young guy,” said offensive line coach AJ Blazek. “We had a good talk about it. Put that feather in your hat but you go back to work.”

The article used the advanced metrics at the site’s disposal to

Gameday Page 4

ONE LAST November 4, 2016

Rutgers needs to win all of its four remaining contests to reach 10th bowl game in last 12 seasons

NOTHING Rutgers hasn’t missed out on postseason in back to back years in 10 years continued from back months against the Hoosiers (44, 2-3), who have as much momentum as they’ve had all season, have a significant impact on the final result?

“Yeah, I mean it definitely makes a difference if you want it to,” said senior defensive end Julian Pinnix-Odrick. “Bye weeks can be detrimental to teams and they can be extremely positive.

I think the way we handled our bye week and the way coaches tried to take care of our bodies and stuff like that, it’s gonna be better for us, but yeah, momentum does work.”

Rutgers, for all the headlines it made in the national media for its embarrassing losses to then-No. 2 Ohio State (58-0 in Columbus) and then-No. 3 Michigan (78-0 at home), remains in contention for its 10th bowl game in 12 seasons.

All it has to do is win out, a task far easier said and done considering

the obstacle the Knights are staring at in the moment.

Known for an offense that dominates through the air but lacks on the ground, Indiana appears to have turned a corner in its rush offense with a dominant performance against the Terrapins.

Averaging just under 200 yards per game on the ground, the Hoosiers more than doubled it last Saturday, chewing up 414 rushing yards, falling short of the most at Memorial Stadium in program history (455) set against Indiana State in 2014.

The emphatic win put Indiana back into bowl contention, with a win over Rutgers being a huge stepping stone towards reaching a second straight bowl game for the first time since 1991.

But if history is to repeat itself, it will be the Knights taking a step forward in its quest for a spot in the postseason. In the only two meetings between the programs in history, both coming after Rutgers joined the Big Ten in 2014, it was the Knights who emerged with a win.

First came a convincing 45-23 ballgame at High Point Solutions Stadium in which Rutgers guaranteed a bowl game appearance and killed similar

aspirations for Indiana. Last year’s matchup was far closer, with the Knights needing a lastgasp field goal from Kyle Federico to seal a 25-point comeback win in Bloomington.

The circumstances surrounding the third meeting between the teams Saturday are strikingly similar — the win could be Rutgers’ first conference win of the season and could damper Indiana’s bowl hopes while keeping the Knights alive, just as it was last season — but Rutgers is far from being at the front of the minds’ of the players on the field.

“For some guys, maybe, that may be something they think about, but at the same time, if you go into a game with that mindset whole-heartedly, you’ll kind of play out of control maybe or you won’t be as focused as you need to be,” said junior left guard Dorian Miller on playing spoiler in the Hoosiers’ season. “If you look at the way stuff plays out after the game, it would be cool to kind of say ‘Oh, we threw off their season a little bit’ or ‘We threw a monkey-wrench in things,’ but I tr y not to think of things like that going into a game.”

The symbolism doesn’t say much to Chris Ash either, who continues to seek his first conference win as a head coach.

Facing a sixth-year head coach in Kevin Wilson for the fourth straight year with the third different program, Ash said this is the type of program Rutgers is aspiring to be, and therefore, is a team it needs to defeat on “The Hunt” to becoming a premier program — but not because of the name on the front of its jersey.

“You look up and down our schedule, a lot of teams we need to beat to be able to go to bowl games and get to the level that we want to get to,” Ash said. “We don’t focus on jersey names and logos. It’s all about going out and playing the best that we can play.

We don’t talk about wins and losses, it’s about what it’s going to take to win. ... It’s not about just beating Indiana. It’s about going out and playing our best ability and doing things we need to execute the plan to win.”

The result would impact either team greatly — a loss for Rutgers would kill any shred of hope it has in playing after Thanksgiving, while a loss for Indiana would mean the Hoosiers would need to defeat either the Wolverines

or No. 12 Penn State in order to reach the postseason.

But to Pinnix-Odrick, all that stuff — playoff implications, momentum, all-time series results — go in one ear and out the other as he and his team prepare. After all, once the ball is kicked off, it makes no difference.

“As I get older, the simpler the game gets. No matter how much you prepare, no matter how much you know, you still gotta go out there and play ball,” Pinnix-Odrick, one of Rutgers’ four captains said. “They can have their best game of the season, that’s awesome, but we still gotta go out there and stop them and they still gotta come to our house and beat us. ... what we boil down into preparation, momentum, mindset, we gotta go out there and play ball and it’s just who’s going to be more disciplined. And as corny as it sounds, and as lame as that sounds, it’s really that simple. When you try to overcomplicate that, we create obstacles that aren’t really there.

And that’s really what it comes down to.”

For updates on the Rutgers football team, follow @briannnnf and @TargumSports on Twitter.

Head coach Chris Ash and his team have a tall task ahead of them if they hope to reach a bowl game in their first season together. Rutgers has conference opponents Indiana, Michigan State, No. 12 Penn State and Maryland in its path to a 10th bowl game appearance in 12 seasons. DIMITRI RODRIGUEZ / PHOTO EDITOR / OCTOBER 2016

CHANCE

Gameday Page 5

November 4, 2016

Giovanni Rescigno looks to build on success against Minnesota in his first career start in Piscataway

GIO

year starter Chris Laviano, graduate transfer Zach Allen and Oden — who are all currently in Rescigno collects 220 yards, an open battle of their own for 3 touchdowns on 22-for-38 the back-up quarterback role passing against Minnesota according to Mehringer, at the start of training camp.

The climb has earned the belief of a lot of people accordcontinued from back ing to Ash, and is a testament to the hard work Rescigno has in the latter half of the game after put in. pulling his hamstring early in the Or so he hopes. second quarter. The mobility that “When I first got here, it feels earned him the nod before was like I couldn’t significantly afthrow a football fected, forcing “The fact he’s got more first team reps and he’s got a game and a half under his belt, I think his performance is honestly, thinkhim to throw ing about it,” he the ball in more going to continue to improve, and he’ll keep playing better and better for us each week.” said. “Since I situations than first got here, a he had liked to. lot has changed And while he DREW MEhringer … That’s kind couldn’t avoid Offensive Coordinator of the work etha 34-32 loss to ic I want people to know that I the Golden Gophers, the Warren, when he has questions about game action in a Big Ten game I’d like to see him play, but situhave. I want people to know that Michigan native, still managed a things he sees on film away allows Rescigno to better under- ationally, we gotta find the right I work hard and I want to put decent 220 yard, 3 touchdown and 2 from the practice field. But stand and relate to what he’s see- fit for him,” Mehringer said. “Tythe team first. So throughout lin’s gotta continue to improve. when he is with the coaches in ing on film, he said. interception day on a 22-for-38 clip. my three years here, I just want“Game reps are different than He’s developed quite a bit in the Imagine what he can do if he the offensive meeting room, he ed to keep working hard … and remained completely healthy for takes notes that have earned practice reps and first team reps passing game as of late but the wait my turn. That’s what I’ve praise from head coach Chris are different than second team broader scope of everything that a full game. been doing since high school, reps,” Mehringer said. “So the fact goes on in being a starting quarOr, just wait until this Saturday. Ash for their quality. keep my head down and keep “The thing I like about Gio is he’s got more first team reps and terback, he’s not there yet still, “The bye week helped out a working hard.” lot physically, obviously with my (that) he’s been consistent,” Ash he’s got a game and a half under but he’s progressing.”

Rescigno is set to start his hamstring (and it) helped out a lot said. “He was consistent when his belt, I think his performance For updates on the Rutgers footrecovering with a couple days off he was a back-up thrown into is going to continue to improve, second career game for the ball team, follow @briannnnf and to rest,” he said. “(My hamstring action at halftime of the Illinois and he’ll keep playing better and Knights after being buried down @TargumSports on Twitter. the depth chart, behind twogame. When he went to be (a) better for us each week.” feels) a lot better.”

Rescigno will get a second chance to lead the Scarlet Knights (2-6, 0-5) with extra weeks of preparation as the starter under his belt. But while the volume of reps and responsibility on his shoulders has increased, his attitude has remained the same.

Drew Mehringer’s phone has a decent amount of its memor y dedicated to communication with Rescigno — who shoots offensive coordinator messages

starter against Minnesota, that week of preparation, his focus didn’t change, his attitude didn’t change, he was poised. This week was no different.”

His consistency translating into an increased workload will be key to his continued improvement, which began in the spring, skyrocketed in the summer and has slowly come along throughout the season.

Taking on first team reps after getting his first taste of extended

Though Rescigno is expected to take the lion’s share of the reps against the Hoosiers, it is almost a guarantee that freshman Tylin Oden will see action for a fifth game in his first campaign on the Banks.

Ash told ESPN, in an in-game interview during the loss to the Gophers, that Oden is expected to play in each of Rutgers remaining games, but that remains far from set in stone.

“Tylin continues to develop.

We’ve talked about his role and

The Rutgers coaching staff has said true freshman Tylin Oden is expected to make an appearance in each of its final four games this season, but only if a situation his skill set would fit within arises. Oden completed his first career pass in Minneapolis against the Golden Gophers. DIMITRI RODRIGUEZ / PHOTO EDITOR / OCTOBER 2016

FRIDAY NIGHT

November 4, 2016

Gameday Page 6

Athletic Director Pat Hobbs said Rutgers has been asked by the Big Ten to play one Friday night game starting in 2017 and extending through the 2022 season. The Big Ten announced Wednesday that it will be playing six Friday night games per season during the months of September and October. DIMITRI RODRIGUEZ / PHOTO EDITOR / SEPTEMBER 2016

Big Ten reveals addition of Friday games, reaches out to RU Eric Mullin

mula were in their two home night games against then-No. 3 Michigan — which ended in the worst blowout loss in a Big Ten conferFriday night football in New Jerence game in 27 years — and in sey is mostly synonymous with high its matchup with No. 12 Penn State school games, but starting next fall, next weekend. the State University will be joining But regardless of when a game in on the action. kicks off, be it early morning, The Big Ten announced on mid-afternoon or late evening, Wednesday that the conference will Rutgers has a routine ready. So if be playing six Friday night games it has to be on a Friday night, Ash in 2017 as apart of its new television says “so be it.” deal with ESPN/ABC and FOX. The “Doesn’t matconference’s agreeter what time we ment to play games on Friday is expected “As a proud member of the Big Ten we understand our responsibility and will work with the conference while kick-off,” Ash said.

“Night games are a to last through 2022, continuing to do everything we can support high school football here in New Jersey.” little bit different beaccording to The Ascause you got more sociated Press.

Pat hobbs time on Saturdays to All six games are Athletic Director deal with your playexpected to be played ers for extra walkin September and throughs and meetOctober and will be aired on ESPN and FOX. It is un- ment from the university. “We are our ties with these programs. In than that, haven’t put any thought ings or whatever your routine is, but we got a routine and a plan for known if all teams will be involved receptive to an occasional day game its continuing efforts to advance into it. Focus is beating Indiana.”

The change would add some ever y kick-off, whether it’s (an afor if a team will have more than one on the day after Thanksgiving. There the Big Ten, the conference has Friday night game on its schedule, are a variety of reasons why, among asked us to be open to playing one form of variety to a predictable ternoon) or a night game. It’s one but the 2017 lineup is expected to be them, we know how important Fri- game a year on a Friday night, schedule in Ash’s first year on the that we’ve liked, our players are released in the coming days. day night high school football is to preferably Labor Day weekend. Banks. Barring a change in the sta- used to it, they know what to ex“We have thought a lot about hundreds of communities across the As a proud member of the Big Ten tus quo in its season finale against pect and we go out and do it. The this,” said Big Ten senior associate Commonwealth. In addition, we have we understand our responsibility Maryland, Rutgers will have played biggest challenge from a timing commissioner for television admin- considered the impact that a Friday and will work with the conference 10 of its 12 games in the earliest standpoint would be if you play istration Mark D. Rudner. “(The night home football game would have while continuing to do ever ything time slot possible, kicking off at a lot of night games on the road, we can to support high school noon in Piscataway five times and in then it’s more of a challenge for six Friday night games) represent on key community stakeholders.”

Columbus, East Lansing and likely the following week than it is the about 6 percent of the total home Wisconsin said it will not play a football here in New Jersey.”

With the announcement com- College Park once each, with a pair week of preparation.” games that we will have in any year Friday game every season and will over the next six years. We think it only participate if the game takes ing smack dab in the middle of of 11 a.m. EST kick-offs in Seattle For updates on the Rutgers foota game week, the Knights’ head and Minneapolis. is a great opportunity for significant place before Labor Day. The only time the Knights have ball team, follow @EricMullin_ and exposure and more favorable use of Going even further, Michigan coach Chris Ash hasn’t had much national platforms for football.” is refusing to play any games on time — or energy — to ponder the seen a change in the standard for- @TargumSports on Twitter.

Associate Sports Editor

The announcement was met with push back from multiple teams across the Big Ten, mainly because of the implications a Friday night game could have on attendance and recruiting.

Penn State has said it will not host Friday night games and requested to play no more than one Friday night on the road.

“Penn State has informed the Big Ten that we will not host football games on a Friday night,” read a state-

Friday night, according to The Chicago Tribune.

Rutgers has been asked by the conference to play one Friday night game per season, according to a press release from Athletic Director Pat Hobbs.

“One of the reasons Coach Ash was so attracted to Rutgers is the quality of high school football here in New Jersey,” Hobbs said.

“He’s worked incredibly hard since his arrival to strengthen

effects of the change as he prepares to face Indiana this Saturday.

“I’ll be honest with you, I haven’t put a lot of thought into it,” Ash said.

“It was brought to my attention last week that that may be happening, thought about it for five minutes and just turned focus back to Indiana. Think the conference is one of the best conferences in America and we’re on the forefront of a lot of decisions and we trust and respect what the conference is doing, but other

FRIGHTS November 4, 2016

Gameday Page 7

Knights’ run defense sits in basement of conference Eric Mullin Associate Sports Editor

Of all the questions that faced the Rutgers football team’s defense entering its first season under the guidance of head coach Chris Ash and defensive coordinator Jay Niemann — from the insertion three inexperienced linebackers into the starting lineup and the unknown growth of cornerbacks that received baptism by fire the year prior — the Scarlet Knights seemed to have one constant answer since they began camp back in the spring — the defensive line was going to be the strength of the team.

With former Third Team All-Big Ten defensive tackle Darius Hamilton returning from injury, senior Julian Pinnix-Odrick moving back outside and the steady presences of senior end Quanzell Lambert (who has since suffered a season-ending injury) and junior tackle Sebastian Joseph, the Knights’ projected front four boasted talent, experience and production.

But two-thirds of the way through the 2016 season, that defensive line, in addition to the underclassman-dominant position groups behind them, has had their fair share of troubles against the run.

Rutgers currently sits in the basement of the Big Ten in run defense, being gashed for 261.1 yards on the ground per game.

The Knights are also giving up the second most yards per carr y in the conference at 5.7, trailing only Purdue (5.8).

In Big Ten play alone, opposing conference foes are averaging a gaudy 311 yards per game on 6.4 yards per carr y, highlighted by the 481 and 410 rushing yards Michigan and Ohio State amassed, respectively.

Of the 351 plays Rutgers’ defense has faced in conference play, over 69 percent of them have been rushes. The Knights’ 108 passes defended and 157.6 passing yards allowed are good for the lowest and second lowest in the Big Ten, respectively.

Teams simply haven’t had to throw the ball against Rutgers because of the high success they’ve had on the ground.

Save for Rutgers’ two blowout losses against the Buckeyes and Wolverines, the Knights’ efforts against the run haven’t been all doom and gloom, but rather inconsistent.

Against Illinois Oct. 15, Rutgers held the Illini to 95 yards on 21 attempts in the first half, but then allowed 133 yards on 22 attempts in the latter half of a 24-7 loss.

In the Knights’ most recent game, a 34-32 road loss to Minnesota Oct. 23, they were blitzed for 119 yards on 17 carries in the first half, as the Golden Gophers scored three touchdowns.

“In the first half I was disappointed, and then I thought the line of scrimmage’s were moving in the wrong direction,” Niemann said after Rutgers’ loss to Minnesota.

Defensive coordinator Jay Niemann said he hopes the combination of rest from the bye week and correcting past mistakes made results in an improved Rutgers’ rush defense against an Indiana rush offense that’s recently become potent. DIMITRI RODRIGUEZ / PHOTO EDITOR / OCTOBER 2016 “We addressed that and I think we got our pads down and played better. Didn’t seem like it was a great second half and then I looked at the statistics and saw we only gave up two field goals.”

As Niemann noted, the Knights’ run defense did put on a stronger showing in the second half. Minnesota pounded the ball even more, rushing 36 times in the latter half but only netting 124 yards (3.4 yards per carry). Rutgers was able to hold the Gophers to six offensive points in the second.

But while it was a positive sign the Knights grew stronger in the run game as the game wore on, they know they have to star t

to piece full games together to avoid teams from putting up consecutive scores.

“I talked to a couple of the guys and I think it’s just a point of trying to get settled,” said fifth-year senior defensive tackle Darius Hamilton after the loss to Minnesota.

“But what I’ve tried to explain to some of the guys I was talking to is: Settling in is one thing, but 21-0 trying to settle in is almost impossible to try and ask an offense to dig out of a hole like that. We just gotta find a way to settle in faster.

If we give up seven trying to settle I’m not gonna be upset about it.

But 21-0, that’s a huge hole to dig yourself up out of.”

Rutgers will be looking to halt its struggles against the run this Saturday, when Indiana (4-4, 2-3) pays a visit to High Point Solutions Stadium.

The Hoosiers are averaging 168.2 yards on 4.4 yards per carry across five conference games and are engineered by Devine Redding, who has 720 yards on 4.8 yards per carry this season.

In Indiana’s 42-36 win over Maryland last weekend, the Hoosiers raced for 414 yards across 7.3 yards per carry and six touchdowns.

But the Knights are hoping the combination of the bye week and fixing their mistakes can produce a complete game of stout play against the run.

“(Having a week off) can help you allow yourself to be more physical. If you’re healed up hopefully you’ve got a little more pop on all your collisions and those types of things,” Niemann said. “But you also have the aspect of just going out there and being able to practice and rep certain things that may be problematic that you’re tr ying to get fixed. Both of those things together will hopefully make for a better showing for us on Saturday and run defense.”

For updates on the Rutgers football team, follow @EricMullin_ and @TargumSports on Twitter.

Senior defensive tackle Darius Hamilton said the Knights have to do a better job of getting settled in a game without surrendering so many points. In its previous game, Rutgers fell behind 21-0 before getting in a groove. DIMITRI RODRIGUEZ / PHOTO EDITOR / OCTOBER 2016

Brian Fonseca Sports Editor

The Rutgers football team enters its matchup with Indiana (4-4, 2-3) this Saturday coming off a late bye week, — a break in three-straight-months of football without much rest.

While nearly every unit on the team has sustained some form of physical ailment — be it significant injuries or standard nicks and bruises caused by the demanding schedule of a Big Ten program — most remain anxious to hear how the week off treated Giovanni Rescigno.

The sophomore quarterback played nearly every snap in his first career start weeks ago playing against Minnesota in Minneapolis, but was limited See GIO on Page 5