Rutgers Heads down Turnpike for Tussle with Temple

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights head down I-95 to Philadelphia and Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday to face an familiar foe: Temple.

From 1977 to 2004, Rutgers vs. Temple was an annual occurrence for the former Big East rivals. Rutgers holds an all-time 22-15 advantage against the Owls.  It will only be the fifth time the two teams have met since 2012, with Rutgers having won five straight against the Owls.

Temple hasn't beaten Rutgers since 2002.

Rutgers is gunning for a 3-0 start to the year for the second consecutive season. This is a huge game for the Scarlet Knights before conference play begins next week against Iowa at SHI Stadium.

While there have been many questions about the quarterback position this year for the Scarlet Knights, there have been no issues thus far while deploying the quarterback rotation of Gavin Wimsatt and Evan Simon. Both have managed the game quiet well, with Simon proving to be a standout having tossed two touchdowns last week against Wagner.

What has really helped Rutgers in the early season is a strong running attack of Kyle Monangai (29 carries, 122 yards, 2 TDs), Al-Shadee Salaam (13 carries, 124 yards, 2 TDs), and Wimsatt (11 carries, 113 yards).  They pulverized Boston College in Week 1 with the ground attack, especially in the fourth quarter.

Last week against Wagner, the Seahawks stacked the box, allowing Rutgers to produce a more vertical attack en route to a 66-7 route.

While Rutgers will be a heavy road favorite, the Owls are not a team to sleep on. After getting blanked by Duke 30-0 in week 1, the Owls responded with a 30-14 win over Lafayette in their home opener last weekend.

Like Rutgers, Temple is employing a duel quarterback system with E.J. Warner and D'Wan Mathis exchanging snaps. Warner has been the more effective passer, tossing for 173 yards and two touchdowns on 14-of-19 passing.

Here are some interesting facts:

- Rutgers ranks second nationally in rushing defense (24.0), seventh in rushing offense (262.5), ninth in total defense (228.5) and 21st in scoring offense (44.0).
• Rutgers holds a +11 turnover margin since head coach Greg Schiano returned in 2020 (41 forced). That includes one turnover or less against in 17-of-24 games.
• Rutgers has had eight different players combine to score 12 touchdowns. The team has scored in each of the last seven quarters.

X-Factor: Johnny Langan. The tight end not only is an adept receiver, but he can play quarterback as well. He threw a bomb for a touchdown last week against Wagner. Schiano likes throw different tricks at opponents; expect RU to have a few plays that utilizes the full skill set of Langan in this game.

Remember you can listen to the entire broadcast on Fox Sports New Jersey 93.5 FM 1450 AM at 2 p.m., with pregame starting at 12 noon!