On Monday, Saturday Tradition named Rutgers football as their Big Ten Coach Award for their Week 1 victory over Northwestern.
Rutgers held Northwestern to 201 yards on 63 plays, holding the Wildcats scoreless for 59 minutes. Rutgers quarterback Gavin Wimsatt’s ability to manage efficient drives and the Scarlet Knights’ lights-out defense led to their 24-7 victory over the Wildcats.
After the conclusion of week one, Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano and his team were honored with the Coach Award from the Saturday Tradition. The Scarlet Knights earned this award as they recorded their first Big Ten home opener win since joining the conference in 2014.
Our week 1 B1G football awards 🔥 pic.twitter.com/khSUJNWuBZ
— Saturday Tradition (@Tradition) September 4, 2023
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Rutgers’ new offensive coordinator, Kirk Ciarrocca, had an excellent showing, dominating the time of possession and holding the ball for 37:56. Ciarrocca’s offense produced 17 points by halftime and 24 points by the end of the third quarter.
Schiano and defense coordinator Joe Harasymiak’s game plan shut down the Wildcats to 12 total rushing yards on 22 attempts, holding Northwestern to only 0.5 yards a carry. The Scarlet Knights’ defense produced five sacks, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles.
According to the Saturday Tradition’s Big Ten power rankings following week one, the Scarlet Knights are No. 12 in the conference, ahead of No. 13 Indiana and No. 14 Northwestern going into week two.
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