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Rutgers football got the first big break of the game via one of their upperclassmen defensive backs. Junior Avery Young stepped up to stop Wisconsin’s opening drive of the game with a big play.
Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz got intercepted with 10:24 left in the first quarter, Young stepping up and reading the eyes of the Badgers quarterback for the interception. Young returned the ball for 18 yards, a pivotal play in what was his first interception of the season.
The Badgers were driving, having gone 46 yards on seven plays. Young’s play stopped almost certain points for Wisconsin.
It has been a solid season so far for Young, who was a 2020 Honorable Mention All-Big Ten.
Rutgers came into the game 4-4 (1-4 Big Ten) fresh off a win at Illinois. Wisconsin has won four in a row (5-3, 3-2 Big Ten).
#Rutgers Football safety Avery Young brings it in as he picks off #Wisconsin on their first drive of the game. @Football_Cville /// @Azy_02 pic.twitter.com/rCLBgSjrl1
— Rutgers Scarlet Knights | TheKnightReport.Net (@RutgersRivals) November 6, 2021
Rutgers did not take advantage of the turnover. In fact, they had their own turnover.
On the second play after the interception following Isaih Pacheco gaining two yards on a run, Rutgers quarterback Noah Vedral got picked off. And then two plays after that, Chez Mellusi got his fifth touchdown of the season, running 14 yards for a 7-0 Wisconsin lead.