A season that began with many prognosticators calling for a maximum of five wins for Rutgers football ended with seven victories, a Pinstripe Bowl win and the program’s best campaign in a decade.
By nearly every measure, it was a successful 2023 for the Scarlet Knights.
Coach Greg Schiano and his coordinators received contract extensions. Most of the team’s most impactful players announced they’d be returning for one more season, including Rutgers’ first 1,000-yard rusher in 11 years.
Was it all perfect?
Of course not. The Scarlet Knights still have areas that need improvement heading into the 2024 season.
But there’s plenty to build off.
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai (5) celebrates with teammates after defeating the Miami Hurricanes in the 2023 Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Here are five key takeaways from this season:
1. The defense was stellar, and has a chance to get even better
It didn’t really come as a surprise that Joe Harasymiak’s unit shined. Rutgers’ defense was the team’s strength in 2022, also.
But the Scarlet Knights still met expectations and in some ways, surpassed them.
Rutgers has the 30th-ranked scoring defense in the country (21.2 points allowed per game), the 10th-ranked passing defense (176.3 yards), the 41st-ranked run defense (137.2) and the 17th-ranked total defense (313.5).
And the good news for Rutgers?
Nearly all of the defensive starters will be back in 2024, including linebackers Mohamed Toure and Tyreem Powell, safety Flip Dixon, cornerback Robert Longerbeam and defensive ends Aaron Lewis and Wesley Bailey.
The Scarlet Knights’ defense has a chance to be dominant next season.
“I’m excited about our defense,” Schiano said after his team’s 31-24 win over Miami in the…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/five-big-takeaways-rutgers-footballs-090332096.html
Author : App.com | Asbury Park Press
Publish date : 2024-01-02 09:03:32
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