Head coach Greg Schiano’s second stint at Rutgers couldn’t have gotten off to a better start.
The Scarlet Knights opened 2020 with a 38-27 win over Michigan State – their first Big Ten win since 2017.
While Rutgers has had some exciting moments in the three games since, such as a few successful trick plays against Ohio State, it has lost all three. The latest loss came Saturday against Illinois, which entered the game having been outscored 117-45 during its 0-3 start.
The Scarlet Knights, who will most Michigan at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, took a 20-10 lead with 7:43 remaining in the third quarter, but Illinois rallied to win 23-20 on a game-winning 47-yard field goal with 3 seconds left.
Rutgers quarterback Noah Vedral, a Nebraska transfer, struggled with three second-half interceptions, including one in the final two minutes that set up Illinois' game-winning field goal.
Vedral has completed 63 percent of his passes and thrown for 725 yards, five touchdowns and seven interceptions. While Schiano could turn to last year’s starter, Artur Sitkowski, he said Monday that Vedral, who also passes for 256 yards and two scores against Illinois, will remain behind center against Michigan.
“That’s the challenge, I think, is getting Noah to better see that and understand that, anticipate that,” said Schiano, who led Rutgers to a 68-67 record and six bowl games from 2001-2011 before being rehired last December. "On the same token, he made several plays that were really big time plays. So, again, we’re managing the opportunity. He has to do just a little better job managing the risk. "
The Scarlet Knights' defense had no answer for Illinois rushing attack, allowing 338 yards on the ground. Quarterback Isaiah Williams, who started once again as Brandon Peters remains in COVID-19 protocol, led the way with 192 yards and a score on 31 attempts.
Rutgers also had a few costly penalties and was flagged seven times for 56 yards.
“We had some penalties that just aren’t what we allow in our program,” Schiano said. “One of them, that drive led to a score. … Those catch up to you when they catch up to you. You can’t do that stuff.”
Rutgers and Michigan (1-3) will both be looking to snap three-game losing streaks Saturday. The Wolverines have won five of the six all-time meetings.
“We got to get that stuff fixed,” Schiano said. “That’s part of building a program.”
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