PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Rutgers football made a bit of a statement this past weekend with a thorough season-opening win over Northwestern. They know that a follow-up this weekend won’t be easy.
And they know that first-hand because last year, Rutgers (1-0, 1-0 Big Ten) almost lost at Temple (1-0).
The setting on Saturday night is going to be SHI Stadium, but that won’t change the fact that Rutgers knows firsthand the challenge they face in Temple. Last year, Rutgers was fortunate to squeak out a 16-14 win at Lincoln Financial Stadium.
And this year, the Scarlet Knights know that Temple can be just as big of a challenge.
“They’re a much-improved football team, you can see and they should have beat us last year,” Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano said on Tuesday.
“We were fortunate to get out of the stadium with a victory. So we know what we’re in for. You got to have a great week of practice, and it’s a short week, so we really got to bear down and CHOP.”
Last year, Temple quarterback E.J. Warner got his first collegiate start against Rutgers. He certainly impressed.
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Temple nearly played the role of spoiler last year. They’ll be looking to get the upset this year.
“I think you can’t really take any team lightly. Any team, honestly, every game on our schedule, it’s a game – we have to come out ready to play. You can’t just come out there and just win the game,” quarterback Gavin Wimsattt said on Tuesday.
“But I think they’re a good team, and we’re going to have to prepare. And, I think (the) coaches are doing a great job with their game plan and we’re just gonna try to take every day and get better and see what we can do.”
Warner was impressive, going 19-of-32 for 215 yards with a touchdown and an interception. In Saturday’s 24-21 win over Akron, Warner threw for 292 yards with two touchdowns.