PISCATAWAY, N.J. –- Fans who follow Rutgers football closely probably have noticed that this year’s annual Spring Game is later than most other Power Five programs. According to head coach Greg Schiano, this is certainly by design.
Rutgers will host its Spring Game on April 29, several weeks after many programs will have completed their spring practices. As the game marks the end of spring practice, it is not insignificant that Rutgers has their game later than many other programs.
Along with Maryland, the end of April date for the Spring Game is a week later than anyone else in the Big Ten. Some programs, such as Michigan, will have their Spring Game on April 1.
Schiano said that this is because of the overhaul of the offensive coaching staff and the need for more time installing the offense and spent in the weight room.
“Well, we’re actually a little late right? Most people have already started spring practice,” Schiano said.
“We did this on purpose because we had a new offensive scheme. We wanted to give coach Ciarrocca (offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca) and the staff as much time to get it installed before we started spring. So you know, we’ll finish – we’ll be one of the last teams to have a spring game at the end of April. But that’s okay. Hopefully, we can stay healthy and then get a little break and then get into our summer program.”
In addition to the hiring of Ciarrocca in January, Rutgers also added wide receivers coach Dave Brock and offensive line coach Pat Flaherty. And there was shuffling within the staff as well.
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Andrew Aurich, formerly the running backs coach, is now coaching the tight ends. And Damiere Shaw is with the running backs having coached the wide receiver last year.
As for health, Schiano noted that linebackers Moses Walker and Mo Toure are both back from their season-ending injuries suffered last spring. And running back Samuel Brown, hurt midseason, is making progress as well.
“Well, Moses Walker and Mo are full go. Sam is working his way back in. But they’re all like I said – two are full go and when I say they’re full go, they’re not 100% they’re working their way back to being but I’m very encouraged there,” Schiano said on Tuesday.
“And then Sam is getting better by the day. So he’s taken a lot of mental reps and kind of what we call enacting behind the play and that kind of stuff.”
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