This year marks the 150th anniversary of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights football. The program looks to improve from a 1-11 finish last season. They have 75% of their offense returning from a year ago and they hired a new defensive coordinator in Andy Buh who spent the last three seasons at Maryland in the same position. Head coach Chris Ash is entering his 4th season as the Rutgers head coach.
“2019, it’s a new year. It’s a new team, as we go back and look at 2018 like we did at the end of the season, it was wasn’t a lot of fun. When you’re 1-11, things are difficult. I own it, and the good thing is that we can control our future,” Ash said.
The Rutgers have a tough schedule this year. Seven of the 12 teams they’ll face this season went to a bowl game last year. Four of those games against Boston College, Minnesota, Michigan State, and Ohio State will be home games. One of the main concerns for the Rutgers will be better quarterback play. Last season Arthur Sitkowski only completed 49.1 percent of his passes for 1,158 yards and just four touchdowns versus 18 interceptions.
“I think you just look at the offensive side, we brought in McLane Carter to help us at quarterback to help create some competition,” Ash said.
The Rutgers do return a couple of running backs who gave them most of their production last year. Isaih Pacheco and Raheem Blackshear ran for a combined 1,137 yards and six touchdowns.
“Yeah, they both had a good year last year. It starts with Raheem Blackshear. He’s the veteran guy of the group. He’s also a captain of ours, so he’s the leader of our offense. Really excited to see him take another step off his freshman year. He had an impact on our team. Last year he took a step forward because this next year we expect him to be an elite player for us,” Ash said.
“Isaiah burst on the scene last year as a true freshman, had some really big runs, some good plays. We expect him to take another step forward and become more of a complete running back. He was a good runner. He needs to become a better receiver as well as a better pass protector, also,” Ash said.
On the defensive side, the Rutgers return defensive back Damon Hayes who had 60 tackles (24 solo), one sack, two interceptions and five pass deflections. They also return linebacker Tyshon Fogg who had 48 tackles (14 solo) a season ago.
Written by Garin Turner
