Rutgers is hoping its defense will catch up to its offense as the Scarlet Knights prepare to face Michael Vick and Norfolk State on Saturday in Piscataway, N.J.
After scraping out a 34-31 win over Ohio to open the campaign, Rutgers took down Miami (Ohio) 45-17 behind four touchdown passes from Athan Kaliakmanis and two rushing scores from Antwan Raymond.
The Scarlet Knights (2-0) showed improvement on defense last week, but still allowed 368 total yards and yielded back-to-back scoring drives on either side of halftime.
“I’ve asked a lot of questions of the players, and they just don’t spit this stuff out like we’re used to because they haven’t been here long enough,” Rutgers coach Greg Schiano said Monday. “They haven’t had the cumulative repetitions to say it, to do it. But we are getting better … and if we can stay healthy, I do think we will get to playing good defense here.”
Schiano praised his coaching counterpart for the week, Vick, as both a “generational” player and as a promising first-time head coach.
Vick, a Norfolk, Va.-area native, took the job at FCS program Norfolk State (1-1) in December. The Spartans lost to Towson 27-7 in the season opener before Vick earned his first coaching win, 34-31 in overtime against Division II Virginia State last weekend.
Rutgers is preparing to face both quarterbacks Norfolk State has used this season, Otto Kuhns and Israel Carter.
“They’re different quarterbacks, too,” Schiano said. “(Kuhns) comes in in both games and he throws the ball very well and distributes the ball very well. Seems very calm under pressure. (Carter) can throw it as well, but he’s much more of a runner, more athletic.”
Against Virginia State, Norfolk State forced overtime when Jaylen Laudermilk scored a 33-yard rushing touchdown in the final minute of regulation. Evan Helfrich had the game-winning field goal after missing two earlier.
“I’m always challenging them based off my past experiences playing football and try to put them in those situations, or at least talk to them about it,” said Vick, whose team overcame 16 penalties. “They’re very smart young men. They get it, they understand, and so we’re just trying to make sure every time we step on the field from a mental standpoint, we understand what to do.”
–Field Level Media
