Rutgers Football 2024

Rutgers Football

Rutgers Faces Stiff Challenge at Nebraska, Saturday

For a college football coach there is very little time to bask in the glow of victory. For Rutgers Head Coach Greg Schiano it was back to work following the Scarlet Knights thrilling 21-18 win over Washington on Friday at SHI Stadium. Schiano opened his presser discussing the tape on the Nebraska Cornhuskers that he and his coaches reviewed over the weekend as preparation for Saturday's road contest kicks into full gear. "He's got that thing going in the right direction," Schiano said of the work Nebraska's Matt Rhule has done over the past couple of seasons. "It's a well coached team. It's a talented team. We're going to play them in a very tough environment. To say our plate is full would be an understatement. That's the Big Ten, and that's why I love it." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8l-VFlnn5WI On Saturday, the Scarlet Knights will get an up-close and personal look at Nebraska's Dylan Raiola, who is ranked 25th in the country in passing yards with 1,225 yards on the season. His nine touchdown passes ties him for 31st in the country, and he is seventh in the nation in completion percentage at 70.4 percent for quarterbacks with 120 pass attempts or more. "The command that he has of their offense is good for any level, but for a freshman is unheard of. He's big, mobile. There is not much he can't do," Schiano said. Raiola's ability will be on display against a very opportunistic Rutgers defense that found a way to keep Washington in check despite giving up 521 total yards to the Huskies. "I don't think we've tackled well. We need to get on the same page on all we are doing," Schiano added. It should be a fascinating match-up. Rutgers comes in 12th in the nation in rushing offense, averaging 237.1 yards per game. Running back Kyle Monangai is having a spectacular season, and ran for 133 yards against Washington on Friday. Samuel Brown V also had big night Friday rushing for 45 yards, including a 37-yard touchdown. Nebraska is one of the best against the run, giving up 85.4 yards per game. If Rutgers can win the line of scrimmage battle against Nebraska they'll have an excellent shot at pulling off an upset on the road in the Big Ten. MORE RUTGERS

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