PLAYERS TO WATCH
–Freshman QB Artur Sitkowski posted season-high numbers for completions (29) and yardage (46) in the loss to Illinois but was a dreadful 2-of-16 for eight yards and four interceptions in a 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. Last week, he was 20-of-39 for 239 yards in the 31-17 loss at Wisconsin.
–RB Raheem Blackshear just might wind up as a slot receiver after running for 162 yards in catches in the Wisconsin game. He leads Rutgers in both rushing (437 yards, two touchdowns, on 100 carries) and receiving (35 for 316 yards, two TDs).
–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 — and then notched his 16th double-digit game and hit 300 career tackles in the same game at Wisconsin.
–S Saquan Hampton had two interceptions at Wisconsin, Rutgers’ first two-pick game since Brandon Jones did it at the Russell Athletic Bowl in 2012. He was also in on 10 tackles in a strong all-around game.
SERIES HISTORY: Michigan leads Rutgers 3-1, shaking off a 2014 win by the Scarlet Knights by outscoring Rutgers 162-30 the last three seasons.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “We’re getting better. We’ve just got to continue to work. Our focus continues to be on ourselves. That’s really what we have to continue to do. Our team is getting better. That’s what I see when I watch the film and I watch us play. We’re not just getting where we want to be fast enough. But we are getting better. That’s what I take away from it.” — Coach Chris Ash after the 31-17 loss at Wisconsin.
