GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: It’s everything for Rutgers against a favored opponent. Rutgers ranks so low in so many aspects of the game that it’s tough to pick something out. But here’s one: Northwestern is 10th in the country throwing the football and the Scarlet Knights are 88th in the nation against the pass. This is the main reason the Wildcats are 21-point road favorites in this Homecoming game.
DRAFT SLANT
–LB Trevor Morris has rebounded from a dislocated elbow suffered in camp and is on pace for his third straight 100-tackle season. Last season, his 118 tackles were second in the Big Ten. This season, he has 62 through six games, including 2.5 for loss and a sack. He also has four pass breakups and four quarterback hits and needs 12 tackles to reach 300 in his career.
ROSTER REPORT:
–RB Isaih Pacheco, a freshman, apparently has earned more playing time with his 107-yard effort at Maryland. “Absolutely,” said coach Chris Ash. “We tell players all the time, regardless of the position, when you do get an opportunity, if you take advantage of it, it creates more opportunities. Obviously Saturday, he got an opportunity. He took advantage of the opportunity, had some pretty good production. I’m really pleased with what he did and obviously that helps create more opportunities for him.”
–WR Eddie Lewis and RB Raheem Blackshear shared the two pass completions in last week’s 34-7 loss at Maryland, both with four yards receiving.
–QB Gio Rescigno threw one pass at Maryland and it was one of five Scarlet Knight interceptions in the loss.
–DE Mike Tverdov registered a sack for the second straight week.
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