clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Dominant running game leads Rutgers to blowout victory over Norfolk State // Game Recap

All eyes were on the QBs, but the running backs stole the show on Saturday afternoon

By Griffin Whitmer
@RFootball/Twitter

It's safe to say Rutgers fans weren't ecstatic with the program during halftime. The team had only mustered a 21-13 lead over FCS cupcake Norfolk State and the secondary may have been worse than advertised. However, all concerns were put to bed in one of the most dominating halves of Rutgers football in recent memory.

The Walkout

Rutgers usually runs on to the field led by the wild and energetic madman that is Jeremy Cole. However, Kyle Flood led the team out, arm in arm with Sam Bergen, Djwany Mera, Darius Hamilton, Quentin Gause, and Julian Pinnix-Odrick. They walked as a unit out on to the field, symbolizing the F.A.M.I.L.Y. that Rutgers is and how they are sticking together during this tough time. That moment gave me chills and reassured me that Kyle Flood is the man for the job.

What we learned on offense

Running game is legit

Not many offensive coordinators can pick and choose between 3 running backs as talented as the Rutgers trio. Josh Hicks overcame a slow start and finished with 118 yards and 2 scores. Paul James was a guaranteed 5 yards every time he touched the ball. Robert Martin was a beast in between the tackles and was wildly consistent as well. Even Hayden Rettig got in on the fun!

The I-Formation

Ben McDaniels was as conservative as any Rutgers coordinator has ever been. He stuck to the I-formation for pretty much the whole game. Rutgers pounded the rock down the field on their first drive and capped it off with a touchdown pass from Hayden Rettig to TE Matt Flanagan. The tight ends will be key in this look and Flanagan looks to be a good option to catch passes. I'll have more on the offense in the near future, but expect the playbook to unfold a bit more against Washington State.

What we learned on defense

Secondary Woes

Yikes. Yikes. and Yikes. Norfolk State absolutely dominated Rutgers on their first offensive drive. There was constant miscommunication and too many receivers left wide open. In my game preview, I said that the DBs needed to step up. They didn't. This is going to be one of the longest weeks of their lives, having to prepare to have the ball thrown upwards of 50 times their way against Wazzu.

JPO is as good as advertised

Another thing I was anxious to see was the play of DT Julian Pinnix-Odrick. He was really, really good. He was constantly in the backfield and made a nice play to tip a pass, forcing a punt. Similar to Darius Hamilton, he won't put up big numbers, but if you watch him play, you will understand how important he is.

Play of the Game

Grills! Grills! Grills!

Janarion Grant seemed to have lost the ball in the sun and once it hit the ground, it became a live ball that the kicking team could've picked up. Grant judged the bounce, caught it in the air, and bolted into a mass of bodies. He weaved through the tacklers and had great awareness to find the open field and hit the jets. If only he did that in the first half...

Player of the Game

Leonte CARRRROOOO

Every time he touched the ball, he scored a touchdown. His stat line: 3 catches, 129 yards, 3 TDs. Oh yea, he only played the third quarter too. Not too difficult of a choice.

Final Thoughts

The team looked very shaky in the first half and they had me worried. Hayden Rettig looked sharp, but the secondary really didn't help him out. The defense locked up and the offense exploded in the second half. We will have more on the QB controversy and everything else in the coming days. Overall, it was a great win for the Scarlet Knights and hopefully they correct their mistakes for a big game next week.

Next Game: Washington State | Saturday Sept. 12th | 3:30 pm | ESPNU