'It should be a lot of fun': Greg Schiano, Eric Rogers speak to media before Rutgers-Maryland game
Head coach Greg Schiano and junior defensive back Eric Rogers spoke to the media ahead of Rutgers' last home game of the season. The Scarlet Knights (6-5, 3-5) will look to end the regular season with a significant win against Maryland.
Schiano began the press conference by expressing his gratitude toward the seniors who will be playing their final game for Rutgers at SHI Stadium on Busch campus this weekend. He emphasized the impact they have made playing on the Banks and thanked each one of them.
"Now, we've got a great challenge. We've got to send those guys out with a win," Schiano said. "Their last game in their home stadium, against a very good Maryland team."
Schiano recognized the strong offense that the Terrapins (6-5, 3-5) possess. He briefly touched on Maryland's quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa, mentioning the potential that he sees in him.
"They've got pros on the offensive line, at receiver, at tight end, and they certainly have a pro at quarterback," Schiano said of the Terrapins' offense. "He is as dangerous as any quarterback in America."
Schiano acknowledged the impact Tagovailoa has made on Maryland's offense as he said that the quarterback "runs the offense with precision and ease." Despite losing by a score of 31-24, Tagovailoa outperformed Michigan on Saturday in passing yards and played in a close game with the highly-ranked Wolverines (11-0, 8-0).
"He throws from the pocket well, he throws the quick game well, he throws the deep ball well," Schiano said. "And then when things break down, he creates well."
After playing against highly-ranked defensive teams in the past three games, Schiano said that playing against the Terrapins' defense would not necessarily differ from the other teams the Knights have matched up against this season.
"Defensively, they're really athletic," Schiano said. "They've got 19 takeaways. When you look at a team that has a bunch of takeaways, they get after the passer, they're really fast, they run to the ball. Their two safeties are as good as there is in America. So, they're a really good football team."
Schiano has a lot of trust in junior quarterback Gavin Wimsatt and said that he believes Wimsatt delivered his "best game as a Rutgers player" on Saturday against Penn State. He has high hopes that Wimsatt will continue progressing and developing himself into a stronger quarterback for Rutgers.
"I think he's really beginning to understand the preparation necessary," Schiano said. "He's always been a guy that prepares, but to play quarterback at this level, I don't think anybody understands unless they have done it, or they have coached it."
Schiano pointed out some of the differences about playing Maryland this season versus last season. Seeing the growth of the team from then to now, and knowing that this is not the last game of the season, is exciting for the head coach and the rest of his team.
"Overall, where we are as a program, we've made some big strides. Both in personnel — coaches and players — and then in where we are in our development," Schiano said.
Rogers spoke to the media about the challenges the Knights' defense will face against the Terrapins' offense.
"Their quarterback is a really good playmaker, obviously we have a lot of respect for him," Rogers said. "They're skilled players, so it should be a lot of fun playing against elite guys."
Rogers touched briefly on what it would mean to Rutgers if it was able to end the regular season with a win.
"A lot of those guys have been here for a long time, so just being able to send them off the right way, it would mean a lot to them," Rogers said. "For us to win this last game, I think it would be really good for the program as well."
The Knights will meet with Maryland at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday in Piscataway. The game will be broadcast on Big Ten Network and 88.7 WRSU-FM.
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