Quick Lane Bowl Preview: The Rutgers Scarlet Knight Offense
By WFP
For those of y’all who’ve read my write-up on the Rutgers Defense, the theme of inconsistency also runs rampant on this side of the ball for the Scarlet Knights. In former Maryland Head Coach Ralph Friedgen’s first year as the OC, the Scarlet Knight offense has shown its bright spots and promise for a strong future, but also has shown the inconsistency that plagued this offense for much of the 2012 and 2013 seasons. In 2014 the hope was “The Fridge” could re-vamp this offense that constantly found themselves in third and long situations, sputtered in the red zone, and who always found themselves behind the eight ball through slow starts.
Unfortunately for Rutgers, this team still suffers from slow starts. Through the first halves Rutgers’ opponents have outscored the Knights 220-167. Rutgers has played from behind in a majority of their schedule but also squandered away 2 scores leads to several opponents including the loss to Penn State. An inconsistency to start strong and to hold leads have hampered this talent rich at the skill position offense.
Nov 29, 2014; College Park, MD, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights offensive coordinator Ralph Friedgen and former Maryland Terrapins head coach prior to the game at Byrd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Rutgers Skill Guys
QB Gary Nova (#10)
RBs Desmon Peoples (#6),Robert Martin (#7)
WRs Leonte Carroo (#4), Jenarion Grant (#1)
TE Tyler Kroft (#86)
FB Tyler Burton (#46)
Key Reserves:
Josh Hicks (#8, RB), Justin Goodwin (#32, RB), John Tsimis (#84, WR), Andre Patton (#88, WR)
Rutgers is very young, but very talented at the skill positions. The run game is shared carries among the 4 mentioned running backs above. Desmon Peoples is the leading rusher on the season but was banged up for the back half of the season. Gary Nova loves to throw the ball to arguably the best receiver in the B1G, Leonte Carroo. Carroo is a shorter (6’1″) but very speedy receiver who racked up close to 1100 yards receiving on the year. QB Nova has had his moments in 2014, both where he looked laser sharp, but also where it looked lost. As a senior you would have hoped Nova would have come along more in his career. He’s put up decent numbers (2667 yards through the air, 20-12 TD to INT ratio), but the big numbers have come against inferior defenses. Carolina’s defense better not make this kid look like an All-American.
Nov 29, 2014; College Park, MD, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Josh Hicks (8) carries the ball against the Maryland Terrapins at Byrd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Offensive Line
LT Keith Lumpkin (#74)
LG Kaleb Johnson (#72)
Center Betim Bujari (#55)
RG Chris Muller (#70)
RT Taj Alexander (#78)
The offensive line is anchored by Bujari and Johnson, both veteran interior linemen with a wealth of experience. The Rutgers run game is established by the push the line gets on opposing defenses and it will be critical that Carolina’s front two levels keep this line in check. Rutgers relies on the run game more than most teams with the always iffy Nova throwing the ball downfield. An averaged size line (avg. 6’4″ and 290 across the board) moves fairly well but has really struggled against physical defenses. I believe these struggles are due to the size of this line, which is one of the smaller bodied fronts in the B1G.
Oct 25, 2014; Lincoln, NE, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights quarterback Gary Nova (10) signals during the game against Nebraska Cornhuskers in the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports
Rutgers, like Carolina has been snake bit which has led to inconsistencies. The major reasons of the inconsistency on this Rutgers team has been the injuries they’ve suffered across the board at the skill positions. The top rusher at the start of the season, Paul James has been out since the first of October. Half of the current offense is listed as questionable for the Quick Lane Bowl including stud receiver Carroo and leading rusher Desmon Peoples.
Winning Against Rutgers’ Offense
1. Force 2nd and 3rd and Longs
Like Carolina, Rutgers does not thrive in situations when they get behind the eight ball at the LOS. Carolina must slow this offense down on the early downs and attack the shaky Nova.
2. Get off the field
You could almost call this part B of the first key to winning against the Scarlet Knights offense. Carolina has a BAD habit of giving up big plays that extend drives. Carolina must securely tackle Rutgers’ skill and get the defense off the field.
Go Heels.
WFP