/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57145821/usa_today_9608313.0.jpg)
With kickoff for Rutgers at Illinois set for noon, a report from Ryan Dunleavy of NJ Advance Media this morning confirms that the Scarlet Knights will have a new starting quarterback for this game.
SOURCES: Gio Rescigno will start today as #Rutgers changes QB. Expect a big role for Johnathan Lewis. https://t.co/m8Dkcrtn8s #njfootball
— Ryan Dunleavy (@rydunleavy) October 14, 2017
Illinois is the worst rushing defense in the Big Ten and allows over 180 yards on the ground per game. Sticking with Kyle Bolin as the starter, who has been woefully inefficient through five games, instead of going with dual threat quarterbacks Gio Rescigno and Johnathan Lewis, would have made no sense. Starting Gio over Lewis is the safer choice, but as head coach Chris Ash said earlier this week and Dunleavy confirmed, Lewis will see significant action in today’s game as well.
Expect a lot of read options calls and an heavy emphasis on the ground game, regardless of which quarterback is in the game. It is good to know that the offense will have a different look today with the dual threat combo of Gio and Lewis. While I was strongly in favor of Lewis starting, I understand playing Gio as well. Hopefully, the move will lead to Rutgers winning their first Big Ten game in almost two years.
For our full game preview, click here.