Rutgers Squanders Their Last Hope

This one was ugly, then it got close, then it got ugly again. Maryland did something to Rutgers just about every team on the schedule did to Rutgers this year even in their wins; get ahead early.

Kenneth Goins Jr. took a run 46 yards to the house for the first score. Then, on, of course, a Rutgers punt, Teldrick Morgan took the return 83 yards for another touchdown. Rutgers was down, on the road against a Big Ten team, 14-0 yet again.

Coming into this game, Giovanni Rescigno has had more rushing touchdowns than the both Robert Martin and Justin Goodwin combined...two. Today, finally, Robert Martin and Justin Goodwin struck pay-dirt today.

That was about it for the Rutgers scoring offense. An extra point was blocked and a field goal fell short.

Maryland, though, despite missing field goals, were still able to put up 31 points. Rutgers gave up 318 rushing yards today including 168 to Ty Johnson. Poor tackling continues to destroy this team. So much for rugby tackling...

Overall, Rutgers looked decent today, at least offensively. They converted 7/18 third downs, gained 350 yards, and were pretty much even in time of possession. The killer was the turnover. Goodwin really needs to hold onto that ball or get out of bounds. That killed all momentum we had and that score would have put the Knights back into a one-possession game.

Alas, the season has finally ended, on a miserable note at that. Here is to an off-season of recruiting and trying to improve in all areas of the game. Maybe a coach or two will get fired, maybe none will get fired. All I know is that Rutgers football was really bad this season, leaving so much room for improvement next season.

I am already over this year and looking onward. A pair of Big Ten wins next season seems lofty after this season, but that is a reasonable expectation at this point. You never know, Rutgers has bounced back after poor years before, maybe next year surprises all of us.

In the meantime, go Scarlet Knights athletics in all aspects. Former and current players continue to perform and represent this University. The basketball team is looking good, maybe they are the reason for Rutgers to be Big Ten relevant this season in a major sport.