Rutgers struggled offensively in this game, as they were able to put only 13 points on the board, despite having great field position. Penalties were of course a major problem and stalled some drives, but the play calling was too conservative again for some reason. After having success against Arkansas and South Florida, the kids gloves were put back on Gary Nova, and he really didn't have the chance to throw the ball deep, or at all really other than screens. Rutgers went three and out on their first drive of the game, as Nova completed 2 WR screen passes for negative three yards. Following a UConn turnover, Nova completed a pass to Jawan Jamison out of the backfield, and Jamison took it 15 yards, putting the Knights in field goal range. Kyle Federico made a 45 yard kick to give Rutgers an early 3-0 lead.
Connecticut fumbled the ensuing kick off, and Rutgers was set up to score once again. Jamison broke off what appeared to be an 18 yard touchdown run, but it was called back on a holding penalty committed by new starting fullback Sam Bergen. Dave Brock then went back into ultra conservative mode in the red zone (for the third game in a row) and they once again were only able to put up 3 points on a drive that started in Husky territory. On their first drive of the second quarter, Rutgers was able to put together a sustained drive thanks to some nice runs by Jamison and a pass to Brandon Coleman, but Nova threw three straight incompletions when he was actually allowed to throw down field (he just overthrew Tim Wright on what would have been a 20+ yard pass) and Federico's third try of the day was blocked. Rutgers picked up the tempo just before the half, and DC Jefferson caught three passes on the drive, but the Knights had to punt after allowing their first real sack of the season. The offensive line is not to blame though, it was a coverage sack. Nova had about 5.5 seconds (which is more than plenty of time) to throw the ball, but he hung onto it too long. At half time the score was 6-3.
Jeremy Deering was finally able to return a kick at the start of the second half, but he fumbled after a 57 yard return. When they got the ball back, Jamison started to find his groove (44 yards on this drive) and Nova made two key passes to set Rutgers up in the redzone. On first down, Nova had the option of handing the ball off to Jamison or throwing a quick screen to Mark Harrison on the outside. With UConn's corner playing 10 yards off Harrison, Nova made the correct decision in throwing it to him, and Harrison was able break two tackles on his way to the endzone for a 14 yard score. It was the offense's only touchdown of the day, and it gave them a 13-3 lead. The next series produced nothing, and at the beginning of the fourth quarter, Rutgers had the ball on their own 1.
With their backs pressed against their own goal line, Nova completed a 19 yard pass down field to Brandon Coleman to get the Knights some breathing room. Rutgers was looking to eat away at the clock and they did just that, as Jamison carried the work load, and Nova completed some big passes for first downs. The Huskies were finally able to bottle up Jamison for a few plays, and when faced with a 4th and 8 on Connecticut's 35, Kyle Flood decided to punt. I did not like this move one bit, if they get the first down, they could eat more of the clock and possibly put it away with a touchdown, and if they failed to convert, UConn wouldn't have that great of field position and the defense was playing very well, but thankfully Justin Doerner was able to nail one onside the 1. The Scarlet Knight drive took 7:28. Rutgers did not pick up another first down in the game (penalties again), but it didn't matter. Final score 19-3.
The offense struggled overall, but they showed some positive signs and Connecticut has probably the best non Rutgers defense in the Big East. Jawan Jamison went over 100 yards for the 5ht time this year, Gary Nova continued to look solid (his number weren't so hot because of all the screens), and the offensive line opened holes and protected the passer. They might not have the prettiest offense or put up the best numbers, but they are not turning the ball over, winning the time of possession battle, and allowing the defense to win the game.
The defense did what they were supposed to do and dominated one of the worst offenses in the country. UConn running back Lyle McCombs was suspended for the first quarter (I don't know how they even let him play a at all) following an arrest Friday night in East Hartford (when did they travel down to Jersey? 5 am?), and the Huskies never got going on the ground, with or with out him, averaging 1.9 yards a carry. They were forced to throw the ball too much as a result, and quarterback Chandler Whitmore had a miserable day against Rutgers' secondary, throwing 4 interceptions and averaging only 6 yards a pass.
The Huskies were limited to 2 first downs in the first quarter, and they also turned the ball over twice in the first 15 minutes. Logan Ryan intercepted on of Whitmore's passes in UConn territory to set up Federico's first field goal, and Jamal Merrell followed that up with a fumble recovery on the ensuing kick off. Two offsides penalties allowed Connecticut to venture into Rutgers' territory, but they were still stifled by the Scarlet Knights defense and unable to score. UConn started their next drive in Rutgers territory following a blocked kick, and a roughing the passer penalty set them up for a successful field goal try. Rutgers held them to a three and out as they attempted a 2 minute drill, and The Scarlet Knights went into the locker room up 6-3.
Rutgers held UConn to consecutive three and outs to open the second half, and they only picked up 2 first downs in the quarter. They had some success through the air on their final drive of the quarter, but they had nothing to how for it. UConn went into desperation mode through the air in the 4th quarter, and they turned it over on downs and then threw an interception on the first play of the next drive.Connecticut was in a five wide set and ran an all curl play against Rutgers, who had nickel personnel on the field. Wayne Warren was lurking over the deep portion of the field, and he intercepted an overthrown pass by Whitmore and returned it for a touchdown to put the game out of reach at 19-3. When Warren is on the field he just makes things happen. Khaseem Greene intercepted a pass on the next drive, and the defense finished the game with a bang, as Lorenzo Waters recorded a sack on the last drive and Marcus Cooper intercepted a pass as time expired.
The defense just dominated this game from start to finish. In their first game with out Ike Holmes, the defense continued to shut other teams down. Scott Vallone was a menace in the backfield all day, and Jamil Merrell and Darius Hamilton (I'd guess they split snaps 70/30) both did an admirable job filling in for Holmes. Steve Beauharnais seemed to have a strong day in the middle making a ton of tackles against the run. The pass defense turned in a very strong effort as well, and allowed less than half of UConn's passes to be completed. FOr some reason, they kept throwing at Logan Ryan all day, and he allowed a couple passes to be completed, but he had a very strong day overall. The pass defense rebounded nicely after a poor showing against Arkansas, and the defense seems to be clicking on all cylinders now.
It wasn't an aesthetically pleasing game, but Rutgers dominated throughout this one. The defense took over the game and the offense was good enough. They did not overlook an opponent they should easily beat, and they moved up in the polls as a result. This team looks great so far, but they will face a more difficult test at home in the next game against Syracuse.
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