Rutgers Faces Dangerous Opponent in Maryland
Rutgers looks to snap three-game skid vs. Terrapins this weekend
Saturday’s thrilling 26-19 victory over Minnesota has given renewed life to the Rutgers football season. Not only did the win snap a four game skid, but it put the Scarlet Knights back on the trajectory toward a potential bowl bid. At 5-4, Rutgers is just one win away from being eligible.
Of course the focus for Head Coach Greg Schiano and crew is the Maryland Terrapins who have lost four of its last five games to stand at 4-5 on the year.
Don’t tell Schiano that. The talent Maryland possesses speaks for itself.
“Offensively they are very explosive,” Schiano said. “Coach (Michael) Locksley’s teams have been a handful for us over the year. Billy Edwards, the quarterback, has done a really nice job. He’s up at the top of league in passing. The receiving room is an NFL receiving room. They are well coached, and a quality football team.”
Schiano is correct, Maryland has been traditionally of late a tough match-up for Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights are 3-7 in their last ten games against Maryland dating back to 2014. And Maryland has won three in a row in the series head-to-head.
“We’re studying what they did. We just have to go out and play at the quality we did last week, and we are capable of doing that,” Schiano continued.
Still Rutgers comes into the game riding some momentum.
With a number of key injuries, including running back Kyle Monangai who didn’t play Saturday against Minnesota, the Scarlet Knights found a way to pull out a win.
“You have to be more creative in personnel, little things that make a significant difference in the execution,” Schiano added about the challenges that faces his team as it battles injuries.
Rutgers was impressive on Saturday, especially defensively where they held the Golden Gophers to 35-yards rushing as a team, and kept quarterback Max Brosmer in check. Rutgers also recorded a safety of Bromser late in the fourth quarter to help ice the contest.
On the other side of the ball, Rutgers’ duel back combo of Antwan Raymond and Ja’Shon Benjamin combined to rush for 139 yards with Monangai and Steve Brown IV on the shelf.
At the same tike quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis had one of his best games in a Rutgers uniform, tossing three scores, including the game winner to Ian Strong in the fourth quarter.
“Athan has done a good job, and gets better every week. We are going to need to. Maryland is going to get after us. The back-end they are long. they are good at taking away the football. But he is getting better. I am really pleased. There are a couple balls he would like to have back, and we have to eliminate those,” said Schiano.
Rutgers takes on Maryland, Saturday at 6 p.m. Live coverage can be heard on Fox Sports Radio New Jersey at 4:30 p.m.
