Rutgers-Fresno State: Greg Schiano Has Problems to Address

It was a sea of red.  If you did not wear red to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights home opener, you stuck out like a sore thumb.  The stadium roared for the team when they took the field before opening kickoff.

However, Greg Schiano’s squad never gained motivation and played flat, resulting in a 24-7 loss to Fresno State last night.

Rutgers football has many questions to address, while their fans' hopes of a national championship began deflating in every section of the stadium in Piscataway.

The first half looked promising for the red team as they put together two good-looking drives.  The first ended in a turnover on downs as Schiano decided to go against the proven coaching normative and go for it on a fourth-and-goal on the three-yard line.  Fresno State’s defense supplied the stop and kept the Scarlet Knights off the scoreboard.

The second drive resulted in a field goal attempt for freshman kicker San San Te, who kicked the ball nowhere near the uprights.  Another decent Rutgers drive put them across the 50-yard line, only to see a Mike Teel bomb miss its target by about 10 yards and fall into the hands of a Fresno State safety.

Nevertheless, Rutgers was handling the defense—it just wasn't converting drives into points.

The defense was impressive in the first half, holding Fresno State to zero points as well.  Despite a few first downs, Fresno State was unable to move an inch on the Rutgers defense.

As the cannon fired at the end of the half, a look around showed a reassured look on the fans' faces.  That look said they knew their team was going to pull the win out.

The second half warmup was the most disturbing thing of the whole game.  San San Te set up his practice tee for about a 30-yard attempt.  After missing from different spots on the field five out of eight times, I gave up watching him in hopes it was just some kind of joke.

However, there were no jokes being played, as San San Te missed another one in the second half, leaving him 0-2 on the day.

It was not just San San Te who struggled.  It seemed as if the teams switched jerseys at halftime.  The Rutgers offense continued to supply the team with no points, while the defense started to crumble in front of their home crowd.

Two deep passes were given up in the second, one for a touchdown, and the other to convert on a 3rd-and-23.  Fresno State’s running back began to look like a Heisman hopeful and shredded the interior of the Rutgers defense.

Rutgers, who mostly stayed out of trouble with penalties, washed away a return touchdown with an illegal block in the back.  Kordell Young supplied Rutgers' only touchdown with a one-yard run in the early fourth quarter to pull Rutgers to within three (the extra point was sarcastically cheered).

However, the defense allowed a touchdown on the ensuing Fresno State possession, and the offense never regained form.   After the 17-7 lead, the stadium started to empty, as did any fight that was left in the Rutgers team.  Another touchdown capped off the 24-7 victory for Fresno State and left the stadium vacated of fans.

Basically, it is back to classes with that empty feeling of loss.

Game Notes

MVP: Fresno State’s Ryan Matthews, who compiled 163 rushing yards.  Keep an eye on this kid as the season progresses.

Kordell Young filled in nicely for the drafted Ray Rice.  He rushed for 94 yards but displayed no power running.  He was Rutgers' only bright spot in this game.

Mike Teel’s hope for being scouted by the NFL is probably at zero percent after his two-interception performance.  He looked like a mediocre high school quarterback trying to make it in the college ranks.

Kenny Britt looked strong at wide receiver.  However, Tiquan Underwood dropped a decent pass over the middle.  

Note to Greg Schiano: Look at other players' ability to kick the ball in the vicinity of the uprights.