PLAYERS TO WATCH
–Freshman QB Artur Sitkowski posted season-high numbers for completions (29) and yardage (246) in the loss to Illinois but was a dreadful 2-of-16 for eight yards and four interceptions in the 34-7 loss at Maryland. Then, in a home game against Northwestern, he was 15-of-31 but for just 81 yards — and was sacked twice. But no picks.
–Freshman RB Isaih Pacheco was one of the few bright spots in the loss at Maryland, running for 107 yards on 22 carries and the lone Rutgers touchdown — and he reeled off a 44-yard touchdown run in the 18-15 loss to Northwestern in the game before the bye. He netted 76 yards on 11 carries in the latest loss.
–WLB Trevor Morris, who led the Knights with 118 tackles last year, continues to get the job done on defense. He fell one shy of his 15th career double-digit tackling effort against Northwestern, but also forced and recovered a fumble.
–CB Avery Young led the Knights with 10 tackles — seven of them solo — against Northwestern. He also had two pass breakups.
SERIES HISTORY: Michigan leads Rutgers 2-0, winning in 2014 and 2015 by a combined 85-10.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “No, we’re just trying to do it better. That’s it.” — Rutgers coach Chris Ash on whether he made any significant changes during the bye week.
