Rutgers Scarlet Knights 37, New Mexico Lobos 28: Game and Postgame Press Conference Reaction
There were many twists and turns but in the end I think
Rutgers fans have to be a happy with the 9-point come-from-behind victory over New Mexico . Sure,
another slow start in the first quarter is a concern. But I think one of the
things lost in the discussion is that the Scarlet Knights defense actually
stopped the Lobos on the first series. New
Mexico was four plays and out before the ill-fated
botched punt return. It's hard to criticize Janarion Grant for anything since
he's been our best and most dynamic player, but that's certainly one he'd like
to have back. On a punt return team, anytime a ball is over your head it's
standard to let it go. And coupled with the sun glare at High Point Solutions
Stadium, taking a chance on the ball being downed deep in our own end would've
been the wisest course of action. Punt return, though, has got to be one of the
most difficult things to do on a football field, so it's tough to second guess
anyone who's done it as well as Janarion. Regardless, he surely made up for it
later in the game.
Given the short field after the turnover, the defense was
put in a bad spot. Then the defense got progressively more and more gassed as
the offense sputtered through three consecutive three and outs.
The momentum changed of course after the 75-yard TD pass
from Chris Laviano to Jawuan Harris. That was Harris's second touchdown in as
many weeks, as he continues to look like a dynamic playmaker that Rutgers will be able to utilize for years to come. Head
Coach Chris Ash also praised the crowd, particularly the student section, for
helping keep the momentum in Rutgers favor.
Although the game was not particularly well attended overall, the student
section was robust. [I expect there will be a more significant crowd for the
start of Big Ten action against Iowa .]
Of his players' ability to comeback, Ash said the team has "chemistry and
a brotherhood of trust," and he was proud that "everybody
believes" and "made the plays to come back."
Asked about concern over another first quarter start, Ash
said he was "not alarmed by the slow first quarters." With this
particular opponent he had a feeling it would take the defense "time to
get used to the new formations." Defensive Coordinator Jay Niemann felt
the defense "just needed to settle down." Once the coaches pointed
out what they were doing wrong, they made the necessary adjustments. Niemann
was particularly pleased with the unit's success on third down. The Lobos
converted on just 3 of 15 third-down tries.
A couple of defensive standouts were Darius Hamilton and
Julian Pinnix-Odrick. Seeing greater action than in previous weeks, Hamilton collected 10
tackles on the day including one tackle for loss. Hamilton was named the defensive player of
the game. His fellow defensive lineman, Pinnix-Odrick, had another stellar
performance, leading the team with 12 tackles and registering 1.5 sacks.
Linebacker Greg Jones was another player singled out by Coach Ash as having done
an outstanding job of containing New
Mexico 's option attack. Jones finished the contest
with 8 tackles.
On offense we saw the debut of backup quarterback Zach Allen
midway through the fourth quarter, who came in for a series to spell a
struggling Laviano. Allen didn't complete a pass and Laviano was back in for
the next series. Of Laviano, Coach Ash said that he "missed a lot of short
easy, passes" and offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer simply stated that Rutgers has to "throw and catch the ball better"
and that it was the "one glaring issue we had."
Robert Martin, however, had no problem running the ball,
collecting a career high 169 yards on 21 carries. The highlight was his 80-yard
touchdown scamper. Mehringer singled out Tariq Cole as having made the crucial
block to spring Martin for the long score. Left guard Dorian Miller was
selected offensive player of the game.
I like the fact that the Rutgers
coaches have shown a willingness to allow competition to dictate playing time.
Despite the fact that both Giovanni Rescigno and Tylin Oden were impressive in
their Rutgers debuts against Howard, Ash and
Mehringer both said that of the backups, Zach Allen had the best week of
practice and preparation, so he was the first one when they felt Laviano needed
to refocus.
Despite the one muffed point, special teams was a strength
for Rutgers , highlighted by Janarion Grant's
69-yard punt return for a score. It was another huge play by Grant for the
Scarlet Knights when it was desperately needed. For his efforts, Grant was
named the Knights' special teams player of the game. And kicker David Bonagura
was steady, hitting all three of his field goals, as well as his extra points.
What he may lack in distance, he has been more than making up for in accuracy.
And it says a lot that the Rutgers offense
decided to play it safe late in the game, setting up Bonagura for crucial field
goals to ice the game.
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