PISCATAWAY, N.J.—In their first true test of the season, Rutgers looked poised to ace the exam through the first 15 minutes. Then they played the final 45.
After the offense appeared to finally find some rhythm and chemistry in the first quarter, they reverted back to the offense seen in the first two games of the season in the 17–13 loss to North Carolina on Saturday.
Despite the erratic play of the offense, quarterback Tom Savage had the chance to lead a game-winning touchdown drive in the fourth quarter—twice.
The first drive started with just over nine minutes remaining in the game. As Rutgers was making a methodical drive down the field, Savage threw an interception to safety Matt Merletti with 2:42 left in the game.
“Throwing an interception like that doesn’t feel good,” Savage said. “It was tough, but our defense did a heck of a job to get the ball back for us.”
Following a Tar Heels three-and-out Savage and co. turned the ball back over on downs with 1:30 left in the game.
Savage struggled throughout the game going 16 of 29 for 150 yards and 2 critical interceptions.
The first pick came after a botched fake punt by UNC setting up the Scarlet Knights with great field position. Following a first down, Rutgers was set up on the 17-yard line when Savage proceeded to throw an interception to linebacker Bruce Carter.
Carter returned the pick for 53-yards setting up North Carolina’s only score of the half on a 1-yard touchdown run by Johnny White.
The 10-point swing—Rutgers was well within San San Te’s field goal range—proved detrimental to the Knights. Rutgers was never able to recover despite taking the 10–7 lead into half.
To try and ignite a struggling offense Rutgers used the Wildcat 23 times.
Wildcat quarterback Mohamed Sanu carried the ball 15 times for 50 yards and also completed one pass for seven yards to freshman Jeremy Deering.
“I think we did a pretty good job,” Sanu said of the Wildcat. “We just have to execute more.”
Despite many issues on offense, Savage takes all the blame when the offense struggles—typical of the quarterback position.
However there’s a reason for Savage’s inconsistent play.
His protection looks nonexistence at times—especially in the interior of the line.
Defensive tackle Quinton Coples was in the backfield all day, recording three sacks. Coples also had four tackles for a loss.
Head coach Greg Schiano is well aware of his team’s struggles on the offensive line.
“Protection was not good,” Schiano said. “When you have five sacks, that’s obviously not good on the protection side.”
Keeping Savage upright needs to start happening if the signal caller is to make it through the season.
Freshman Chas Dodd played the first drive of the second half after Savage was checked out by the trainers in the locker room during the intermission. Savage had suffered a rib injury right before the half.
Despite the lack of protection, Savage shoulders the blame.
“I’m struggling to get my own rhythm,” Savage said. “The guys are open, everyone sees it.
“I think the offense did a lot of good things and there’s a lot of things we can improve which falls on me. I know what I have to do and I’m going to do it and we’re going to be the offense that we expected to be at the beginning of the season.”
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