Rutgers will be fighting for Bowl Bid vs. Penn State
There is still much to play for in 2021 for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.
At 5-5 on the season, Rutgers needs one win in its last two games to become “bowl eligible.” While being bowl eligible doesn’t necessarily guarantee a postseason game, a win against either Penn State (6-4) or Maryland (5-5) would certainly make a good case to the bowl committee.
Last week RU dominated Indiana to the tune of 38-3. They took full advantage of six Indiana turnovers, and ran the ball at will, gashing the Hoosiers for 218 yards on the ground.
Isaih Pacheco tied a season high with two rushing touchdowns. His 79-yards rushing was his third best output of the day on the ground. Even offensive tackle Raiqwon O’Neal got into the action with a seven-yard rushing touchdown.
While it was all fun for Rutgers a week ago, going into Happy Valley on Senior Day against a Penn State team coming off a rough 21-17 loss to Michigan will be entirely different animal.
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – SEPTEMBER 25: Defensive back Brad Hawkins #2 of the Michigan Wolverines attempts to tackle running back Isaih Pacheco #1 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in the third quarter at Michigan Stadium on September 25, 2021 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gaelen Morse/Getty Images)
The Nittany Lions have had a strange season in many respects. They started the season off red hot at 5-0; had Iowa on the cusp of defeat before quarterback Sean Clifford left the game with an injury, in a heartbreaking 23-20 loss.
It’s been tough sledding since. Penn State followed the loss up with a back-breaking, recorded breaking, nine overtime 20-18 loss to Illinois. Since that loss to Iowa, Penn State has dropped from a definite contender for the College Football Playoff to out of the Top 25 entirely.
While Clifford can be inconsistent under center, the player Rutgers has to be most careful with is wide receiver Jahon Datson. He has 993 yards receiving and nine touchdowns. At 5-11, Dotson has tremendous hands and incredible speed. He is considered a first round prospect.
Defensively, Penn State is 10th in the nation in points allowed. They have built an incredible reputation of stopping opposing offenses inside the red zone with reckless abandon.
It will be imperative for Rutgers to maintain ball control, and for quarterback Noah Vedral to not turn the football over if Rutgers is going to stand a chance. Vedral has tossed five picks, and has been sacked 14 times. Pocket protection is key.
Listen to the broadcast live on Fox Sports New Jersey, 93.5 FM and 1450 AM on Saturday, beginning with the Britcher Leone Tailgate Party and the Miller Lite GameDay pregame show with Dom Savino at 10:30.
Penn State fans can listen as well in New Jersey on our sister station 1250 WMTR.
