Knights host Northwestern for Homecoming
It’s hard to imagine things getting any worse Rutgers after last weekend’s 34-7 loss at Maryland.
But the odds makers are saying things really CAN get worse — as Northwestern, 3-3 on the season but 3-1 in Big Ten play, visits Piscataway as 21-point favorites to hand the Scarlet Knights their seventh straight loss.
Rutgers, which will have a bye after Saturday’s game, has been outscored 245-71 during its losing streak and didn’t score at Maryland until freshman Isaih Pacheco, who was the lone bright spot in a miserable effort, scored with 43 seconds left in the rout.
“Obviously disappointed about the loss last Saturday. I really feel bad for our players,” coach Chris Ash told his regular Monday media gathering. “These guys have worked really hard, and I feel like they deserve a win and we didn’t get one. And we are going to keep working so hard to get that done.
“But I really feel bad for them, and all the effort that they have put in and the attitude that they continue to bring every single play.”
The numbers back up the record.
If you check the NCAA rankings, you’ll see the Knights are 106th in the country in rushing, 118th in passing, 120th on third down, 125th in the red zone, 128th in the total offense and 129th in scoring offense, passing efficiency offense and turnover margin.
On defense, they are 88th in pass efficiency defense, 111th in scoring defense, 113th in sacks per game and 121st in rushing defense.
If you don’t know it, there are 130 teams in FBS.
Get the picture? It’s not pretty.
Freshman quarterback Artur Sitkowski was just 2-of-16 for eight yards and threw four interceptions.
Pacheco carried the ball 22 times and was a true bright spot in the game.
“I’m very excited about Isaih Pacheco going out there and running like he did late in the game,” Ash said.
Ash, who is taking over some of the defensive play calling, remains optimistic about the future of the program.
“Guys, we are trying to address everything that happens, from turnovers to special teams to running the ball and stopping the run,” Ash said. “We go out to practice with a plan to try to work on the things we need to work on. I have nothing but 100 percent confidence and faith that our plan will work. Right now, it may not look like that. It’s faith without results.”
