Quick Lane Bowl Preview: The Rutgers Defense
By WFP
UNC and Rutgers will play on Friday in the Quick Lane Bowl in Detroit Michigan. To get you ready for the game, here is a Scouting Report of the Rutgers defense.
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After Greg Schiano took over the Rutgers defense, this group was one to fear. In the year following his asylum to Southern Florida, college football supporters are strapped with the wonders of how fearsome this group can truly be. Finally, in 2014, folks have finally lightened up to the fact that this group, on their worst day, can give up some points. On their best day, this group is still one to be weary of.
The Rutgers defense takes the field in a the base 4-3 defense that will look very familiar to the Carolina fan base. Greg Schiano, of the Butch Davis Coaching Tree implemented the defensive principles that have carried over even after Coach Schiano’s departure. Like a Butch Davis defense, this defense lives and dies by the success that the front seven has against the run game and at attacking the quarterback. In 2014 this Rutgers defense was not successful at stopping the run in a run centric conference like the B1G. In fact Rutgers poor front seven contributed to the Scarlet Knight defense being the 4th worst in the B1G and close to the worst at defending the run. Carolina, with the return of Elijah Hood and improving health of Marquise Williams and Lucas Crowley, should find success at carving away at this Rutgers Front.
Nov 22, 2014; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans running back Jeremy Langford (33) is stopped by Rutgers Scarlet Knights linebacker Quentin Gause (50) during the1st half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
The Rutgers Front Seven
DEs David Milewski (#90), Djwany Mera (#93)
DT Darius Hamilton (#91)
NT Kenneth Kirksey (#95)
WLB Steve Longa (#3)
MLB Kevin Snyder (#45)
SLB Quentin Gause (#50)
Key Reserves: Kemoko Turay (DE, #58), Julian Pinnix-Odrick (DE, #53), Delon Stephenson (#98, NT), LJ Liston (MLS, #25)
Despite struggles against the run, this is an active and athletic defensive front that racks up tackles and gets after the quarterback. On the season, the Scarlet Knights have compiled 32 sacks with more than 75% of those coming from the defensive line. In pass rushing situation, the Knights like to send Freshman Kemoko Turay on the attack. Turay has 7.5 sacks on the season, all in a reserve role. Rutgers’ defensive line has excellent size on the edge at defensive end (6’3″ and 260 lb average in the two deep) but is rather undersized in the interior (6″ 2″ 270 lbs average in the two deep). At linebacker the best player wears number three, Steve Longa. Longa makes plays all over the field and it will be imperative that Carolina knows where he lines up every play. Carolina should be able to exploit their size advantage in the interior to pick up easy yards on the ground. I’m banking on this offensive line to rebound after their dud of a game against State and start mashing and throwing bodies around.
Nov 29, 2014; College Park, MD, USA; Maryland Terrapins wide receiver (6) is tackled after a catch by Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive back Delon Stephenson (left) and defensive back Gareef Glashen (right) at Byrd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
The Rutgers Secondary
CBs Gareef Glashen (#2), Anthony Cioffi (#31)
SS Lorenzo Waters (#21)
FS Delon Stephenson (#27)
Key Reserves: Davon Jacobs (SS, #29), Jonathan Aiken (FS, #26), Nadir Barnwell (CB, #12)
The Rutgers Secondary is shaky is best. Despite veteran leadership throughout the two deep at these positions, the secondary, like in 2013 has been very prone to the big play. This entire group has seen ample playing time this year with the inconsistency Rutgers offense has. Despite that time on the field, this secondary has seldom generated the big play with Rutgers only forcing 7 interceptions from opposing Quarterbacks. If Carolina’s offensive line can give Marquise Williams time, he should be able to hit his receivers down the field.
How to Beat Rutgers Defense
1. Establish The Run
This game is a gut check moment for this Carolina offense. Carolina must take advantage of an undersized and underperforming Rutgers front. With Elijah Hood back, I’m hoping Littrell unleashes a triple dose of Hood, TJ Logan and Marquise Williams on the ground. Control the clock, grind away and dominate this team, Offensive Line.
2. Step On The Throat
Carolina needs to fire right out of the chute on offense in the same light that they did against Cincinnati in last year’s bowl game. If Carolina gets Rutgers on their heels and starts to put in on them on the scoreboard, it’s time to go for the jugular. Time for the offensive to dominate an inferior defense, get outta Detroit and start working towards a successful 2015.
Rutgers Offensive Preview is up next.
Go Heels.
WFP