Rutgers football opened up Big Ten play in Week 4 of the college football season against Iowa. After starting 3-0, their hopes of winning their first four games for the first time since 2012 were dashed.
The Scarlet Knights fell at home inside SHI Stadium 27-10 to the Hawkeyes in front a sold out crowd. Despite being down 17-3 at the end of the first half, Rutgers felt very much in the game as they held the Iowa offense to just three points. But in the second half, Iowa made sure to keep Rutgers at arms length. They continued to attack on the ground, rushing 38 times to only 17 pass attempts. The Hawkeyes relied on the passing game so little that just one of the team’s 11 receptions was caught by a wide receiver.
Rutgers’ Evan Simon showed flashes in the passing game, but spent too much time with white jerseys and black helmets in his grill to truly make a difference. Being the sole passer was new for the quarterback and the offensive line left a lot to be desired.
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Iowa’s defense was strong, and they attacked on the ground – two things everyone expected from the Hawkeyes. Head coach Greg Schiano spoke about the blueprint for Iowa with the media prior to the game:
“You know exactly what they’re gonna do. You know how they’re going to line up on both sides and yet, it’s so difficult to stop because they are so well coached.”
Iowa did exactly what you thought they would, and Rutgers had no answers. Let’s take a look at a few important things to consider after the Scarlet Knights suffered their first loss of the season to the Hawkeyes.
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