After 5 long weeks (including the BYE), Rutgers Football earned a much needed WIN! That's right...THEY EARNED IT! Saturday was an awesome day in Piscataway and I couldn't be happier that I decided go to game. Getting back in the win column in front of a home crowd has the potential to provide momentum for the remaining three games.
If I can be vulnerable for a quick second...I had no desire to go to Saturday's game. My friends and I had a tailgate planned for this game for literally months. However, after the 4 game skid, I was gutted and disappointed. By all accounts, I considered the season over. Thankfully the bye week did wonders for the program and also myself. While I needed a break, the team REALLY needed a break. They were beat up, injured, and needed to reset. Saturday's performance was a breath of fresh air. With no Monangai, the team looked to its other leaders to step up and they answered the call! Powell, Strong, Kaliakmanis, Longerbeam, and others all made big plays throughout the entire game t help EARN the win. It's a good sign with the season quickly coming to an end.
But what did we learn? Let's keep this week short, as I do not want to get ahead of myself (because I have already convinced myself Rutgers is winning the final three games).
Who gets credit for the win against Minnesota?
I have never been as critical of Greg Schiano and his coaches as much as I have been this season. With that being said, I have to give Schiano and the coaching staff credit for this win. What felt like a lost season now feels completely different. Schiano performs exceptionally well after the bye, and this season has been no different. That is a positive sign, especially for the future. The team was focused, disciplined (aside from a few costly mistakes), and most importantly CHOPPED for 60 minutes! That's right! I am back in on CHOPPING!
The team was prepared to win this game...even without Kyle Monangai. That is a testament to the coaching staff developing a successful game plan that was perfectly executed by the players. I thought Ciarrocca did a very good job calling plays and remained consistent throughout the game. Offensively, the second half wasn't perfect, especially through the air. Luckily, Coach Harasymiak had his defense healthy and ready! Rutgers played complimentary football on Saturday. Credit to the coaches!
Did Athan Kaliakmanis get the final laugh vs his old Coach and Team?
YOU BET YOUR ASS HE DID! Now, he wasn't perfect, but I really thought he played a heck of a game. If it wasn't for a handful of drops by WRs, I think he could've came close to surpassing 300 yards and close to a 60% completion rate. Either way, Athan has helped improve the offense this season, even when Monangai is not available. His ability to consistently hit on deep balls is something Rutgers has missed in previous years (it helps that he has 2 MASSIVE WRs to throw to). When a WR is open, he gets them the ball. He distributes the ball well and completes passes to multiple receives in every game. I applaud Athan's performance on Saturday (even though the second half was quiet). I also give a lot of credit to Strong, Duff, and Miller!
Is the Running Back room still the best position group on the team?
Kyle Monangai out with a shoulder injury. Sam Brown out for the season. NO PROBLEM. The running back room, behind true freshmen Antwan Raymond and sophmore Ja'shon Benjamin, proved it is still the best position group on this team. Raymond carried 22 times for 73 yards, with Benjamin carrying 11 times for 66 yards. Both showed a lot of promise and it was particularly exciting to see Benjamin back in action! Their stats certainly don't light up the box score, but I am encouraged for the future of the offense because of what they were able to do against a very good Gophers defense. Would love to see more of them as the season comes to and end...but I would REALLY love to see more Monangai!
What was most impressive about Saturday's win?
The defense. Even during the 4-0 start, the defense was suspect. Then they were completely exposed during the four game losing streak. However, on Saturday I felt like we watched a completely different defense. Led by, what appeared to be, a healthy trio of Powell, Longerbeam, and Lewis, the Rutgers defense had one of its best performances of the season. The run defense was STOUT. Finding a way to continue this trend through the end of the season is paramount.
Multiple players stood up and made big plays. Kyonte Hamilton, Dariel Djabome, Jordan Walker. Playing in place of Wesley Bailey, Walker made the most of this opportunity and forced a massive safety in the fourth quarter to help give Rutgers a 7 point lead. However, it was the captain of the defense, Tyreem Powell, who very well may have saved the season with his forced fumble that eventually led to the go ahead score for the Scarlet Knights. He is a special talent and we are so fortunate to get to watch him play in three, hopefully four, more games!
Overall, the defense showed great improvement. Building off of this will be huge for the rest of the season. We saw improvement from players I have been critical of, especially the linebackers. I would be remised to not give a shout out to Dariel Djabome, who is really turning into a stud at linebacker!
Is a bowl game achievable?
Winning one of the remaining three games seems like a realistic possibility. However, it all starts with beating Maryland. As thrilled as I am with this win, I cannot sit through another dominating Terps win over RU. One game at a time...