This year, Rutgers is a solid middle of the road Big Ten program, which sports a 4-6 record overall. Rutgers plays tough defense, but offensive struggles have persisted, as the teams best RB was lost to injury, and the teams best wr left the program. Consequently, we’ve struggled against the best teams in the conference, but have generally played competitively against everyone else, save for Iowa, where we struggled with turnovers.
The Offensive Line is Huge and averages 6-5 320 lbs. Willie Tyler is a powerful Left Tackle, who excels at run blocking, and struggled earlier in the season with pass protection, but has progressively improved as the season has drawn on. Left Guard JD Direnzo was an All American at Sacred Heart University and has generally played well. Center Ireland Brown has played solidly, and has brought a certain physicality to the position we haven’t seen in a long time. Right Guard Curtis Dunlap has been up and done, and rotates with Mike Ciaffoni.
Right Tackle Hollin Pierce is particularly huge, going 6’8” 335 pounds and likely has an NFL future if he continues to get better.
Our leading rusher is out for the season with injury, so Rutgers rushing attack is spearheaded by Kyle Monangai, a small, powerful back, who is especially adept at running between the tackles, Against MSU, he rushed for 165 yards, which was a season high for any back. Al Shadee Salaam had a 28 yard TD run, which beat Boston College. Aaron Young is an impact back, especially out of the backfield, and returned from injury last game.
Quarterback Gavin Wimsatt has Superstar potential, but he is still learning the game,and acclimating to the tough competition in the Big East. In his first real start against Michigan, he played well in the first half, making a number of big plays, but then struggled in the second half, as Michigan dropped its linebackers into coverage, goading Wimsatt to throw 3 interceptions. Against MSU he eliminated the turnovers but missed opportunities.
Wimsatt is a threat to make big plays with his arm and is legs, but must get better at reading defenses and throwing more accurately. His talent is obvious, but must avoid turnovers.
Rutgers WR Corp is led by Sean Ryan, who had four catches for 54 yards and a TD vs Michigan. He’s shown the ability to defeat man coverage in recent games due to his size and tenacity, demonstrating the ability to highpoint the ball. He is complemented by
Aron Cruickshank, a 5-10 sparkplug, who has 317 receiving yards on the season. Cruickshank is also a particularly dangerous returner, and is a threat to take the ball to the house, every time he gets his hands on it. Shameen Jones is a super senior with an impressive ypc average. Shameen beat double coverage to score a TD against MSU in the waning minutes of the game. Chris Long had an impressive 48 yard reception to setup a touchdown vs Michigan.
Rutgers tight ends are led by tough, hardnosed Senior Johnny Langan, who has 21 catches for 178 yards. Matt Alaimo is the other tight end. Mike Higgins is a freshman TE who saw his first action vs MSU.
Rutgers Defense is led by DE Aaron Lewis, who has been especially productive. Wesley Bailey is the other DE. Tackles are Ifeanyi Maijeh, Mayan Ahonatu, Kyonte Hamilton, and Troy Rainey. Maijeh is especially tough against the run. Hamilton is a budding star. All will rotate extensively, to keep themselves fresh. The Defensive Line is probably the deepest, most talented unit on the team, which is why we are much improved, defensively.
LB Deion Jennings has terrific instincts and a good nose for the ball. He leads the team with 78 tackles. He did not play much, last week, and was replaced by Jamier Wright-Collins, who played well. Tyreem Powell is the other LB, and he will be a star one day.
Rutgers DBs are led by seniors Christian Izien and Avery Young, both safeties. Izien in particular, is a heavy hitter, and has been playing like a linebacker, in the box at times, and consequently has piled up stats. Max Melton will be matched up against your best receiver. The other Corner figures to be Robert Longerbeam, who played well against Michigan. Desmond Igbinosun plays safety and Avery Young is the Free Safety, with NFL potential.
As far as Special Teams go, we've got perhaps the best punter in the nation, and a new kicker. Punter Adam Korsaks penchant for pinning opponents deep, and flipping field position, will be especially valuable. Jude McAtamney is the kicker who has been solid. Returner Cruickshank is an especially adept.
Rutgers keys to the game include running the ball, stopping the run, avoiding turnovers, and rushing the passer. We are probably going to use various pressures from time to time, which could leave us susceptible to being burned.
Rutgers games with Penn State haven’t been close. But this years game should be more competitive, as long as Rutgers can refrain from turning the ball over.
The Offensive Line is Huge and averages 6-5 320 lbs. Willie Tyler is a powerful Left Tackle, who excels at run blocking, and struggled earlier in the season with pass protection, but has progressively improved as the season has drawn on. Left Guard JD Direnzo was an All American at Sacred Heart University and has generally played well. Center Ireland Brown has played solidly, and has brought a certain physicality to the position we haven’t seen in a long time. Right Guard Curtis Dunlap has been up and done, and rotates with Mike Ciaffoni.
Right Tackle Hollin Pierce is particularly huge, going 6’8” 335 pounds and likely has an NFL future if he continues to get better.
Our leading rusher is out for the season with injury, so Rutgers rushing attack is spearheaded by Kyle Monangai, a small, powerful back, who is especially adept at running between the tackles, Against MSU, he rushed for 165 yards, which was a season high for any back. Al Shadee Salaam had a 28 yard TD run, which beat Boston College. Aaron Young is an impact back, especially out of the backfield, and returned from injury last game.
Quarterback Gavin Wimsatt has Superstar potential, but he is still learning the game,and acclimating to the tough competition in the Big East. In his first real start against Michigan, he played well in the first half, making a number of big plays, but then struggled in the second half, as Michigan dropped its linebackers into coverage, goading Wimsatt to throw 3 interceptions. Against MSU he eliminated the turnovers but missed opportunities.
Wimsatt is a threat to make big plays with his arm and is legs, but must get better at reading defenses and throwing more accurately. His talent is obvious, but must avoid turnovers.
Rutgers WR Corp is led by Sean Ryan, who had four catches for 54 yards and a TD vs Michigan. He’s shown the ability to defeat man coverage in recent games due to his size and tenacity, demonstrating the ability to highpoint the ball. He is complemented by
Aron Cruickshank, a 5-10 sparkplug, who has 317 receiving yards on the season. Cruickshank is also a particularly dangerous returner, and is a threat to take the ball to the house, every time he gets his hands on it. Shameen Jones is a super senior with an impressive ypc average. Shameen beat double coverage to score a TD against MSU in the waning minutes of the game. Chris Long had an impressive 48 yard reception to setup a touchdown vs Michigan.
Rutgers tight ends are led by tough, hardnosed Senior Johnny Langan, who has 21 catches for 178 yards. Matt Alaimo is the other tight end. Mike Higgins is a freshman TE who saw his first action vs MSU.
Rutgers Defense is led by DE Aaron Lewis, who has been especially productive. Wesley Bailey is the other DE. Tackles are Ifeanyi Maijeh, Mayan Ahonatu, Kyonte Hamilton, and Troy Rainey. Maijeh is especially tough against the run. Hamilton is a budding star. All will rotate extensively, to keep themselves fresh. The Defensive Line is probably the deepest, most talented unit on the team, which is why we are much improved, defensively.
LB Deion Jennings has terrific instincts and a good nose for the ball. He leads the team with 78 tackles. He did not play much, last week, and was replaced by Jamier Wright-Collins, who played well. Tyreem Powell is the other LB, and he will be a star one day.
Rutgers DBs are led by seniors Christian Izien and Avery Young, both safeties. Izien in particular, is a heavy hitter, and has been playing like a linebacker, in the box at times, and consequently has piled up stats. Max Melton will be matched up against your best receiver. The other Corner figures to be Robert Longerbeam, who played well against Michigan. Desmond Igbinosun plays safety and Avery Young is the Free Safety, with NFL potential.
As far as Special Teams go, we've got perhaps the best punter in the nation, and a new kicker. Punter Adam Korsaks penchant for pinning opponents deep, and flipping field position, will be especially valuable. Jude McAtamney is the kicker who has been solid. Returner Cruickshank is an especially adept.
Rutgers keys to the game include running the ball, stopping the run, avoiding turnovers, and rushing the passer. We are probably going to use various pressures from time to time, which could leave us susceptible to being burned.
Rutgers games with Penn State haven’t been close. But this years game should be more competitive, as long as Rutgers can refrain from turning the ball over.
