Rutgers football game week opponent: Washington
The Rutgers football team returns to the Banks this weekend to kick off Big Ten play against Washington in its annual Blackout game. The Scarlet Knights (3-0, 0-0) survived a late comeback scare in its 26-23 win over Virginia Tech last Saturday and will look to remain undefeated.
The Daily Targum sat down with Ty Gilstrap of The Daily to preview this Friday's conference showdown against the Huskies (3-1, 1-0).
Despite just one loss on the season and a Big Ten win already under its belt, Washington is still looking for an identity in the conference and remains unsure of the challenges it will face this season.
"I think Rutgers might be one of the first ones where we really see how that offense and really how that defense holds up against those opponents," Gilstrap said. "It'll be interesting to see some of those tests against Rutgers, Michigan, Iowa, some of those, I think they'll be a better indicator of the Big Ten and where Washington stands."
The Huskies have relied on their defense to keep opponents in check so far this season. The unit has been stingy in giving up points, allowing just 41 points through four games, the third-lowest in the Big Ten.
Even more impressively, Washington has held opponents to just 237.5 yards of total offense per game. The Huskies' defensive play-caller is none other than former New England Patriots assistant coach Steve Belichick, who is no stranger to SHI Stadium. Belichick was previously a walk-on and long-snapper for Rutgers in 2011.
"A lot of people have been impressed with Belichick's defensive game plans, specifically this past week against Northwestern," Gilstrap said. "I mean, anytime you limit a passer to 38 yards, there's a game plan that's working, and (Northwestern's quarterback) looked confused, out of sorts and disoriented for pretty much the entire evening."
On the offensive side of the ball, Washington has dealt with some early struggles from the offensive line in pass protection, giving up seven sacks so far this season. This hasn't seemed to phase quarterback Will Rogers, who has thrown eight touchdown passes, zero interceptions and 1,048 yards in four games.
"(Rogers) is perfect for the offensive line right now because he makes quick decisions, he gets the ball out fast and he's not somebody that's just going to turn the ball over, which is what this offensive line needs," Gilstrap said. "So, as of right now, he's looked very nice in the system."
With a strong Huskies air attack comes a complementary rushing attack that features both an elusive back in Jonah Coleman and a tough downhill runner in Cameron Davis. The duo has rushed for 496 yards and four touchdowns this season.
"I would honestly say (Coleman's) probably been the best player so far and maybe has had the best performances against Washington State and against Northwestern," Gilstrap said. "(Davis is) kind of the complement to Coleman. He's a little bit more middle of the field rusher, a little bit stronger and can kind of push past those blockers for a few couple strength yards."
With a tough remaining schedule, cross-country travel and the unknown of playing in a new conference, expectations for Washington fans are much different than last year. Travel and time zone changes do not favor the Huskies in their inaugural season as members of the Big Ten.
As for Gilstrap's prediction for Friday night, "I expect Rutgers to come out with probably, what I would say, maybe a 28 to 21 win," he said.
The game will kick off at 8 p.m. and will be broadcast on Fox Sports and 88.7 WRSU-FM.
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