SEATTLE — In a matter of hours, 243 days of buildup for the Rutgers football team will finally culminate. The Scarlet Knights are set to compete for the first time since the 2013 New Era Pinstripe Bowl — this time as an inaugural Big Ten conference member.
The Daily Targum has you covered with everything you need to know before tonight’s kickoff at CenturyLink Field with our Game 1 preview.
Rutgers (0-0, 6-7 last season) at Washington State (0-0, 6-7 last season)
Tonight, 10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1
Breakdown: After allowing a school-worst 4,056 passing yards last season, Rutgers returns seven defensive starters seeking amends under the direction of new defensive coordinator Joe Rossi. An immediate test awaits in Washington State, the nation’s leader in pass attempts and completions a year ago. The Cougars return fifth-year senior quarterback Connor Halliday, who finished third in the country with 4,784 passing yards, as well as their top eight receivers.
Rutgers must contend with fourth-year head coach Mike Leach’s Air Raid offense — a shotgun, run-and-shoot style of passing similar to what gave the Knights fits last season. Still, a year more experienced in the secondary after turnover from several 2012 graduations, the Knights showed promise throughout spring practice and training camp.
Sophomore corner Nadir Barnwell is part of a developing Rutgers secondary facing a significant challenge tonight against Washington State’s Air Raid offense. The Daily Targum / March 2014
Players to Watch:
Gary Nova — Rutgers’ defensive backfield has the most to prove, but no individual Knight needs a fresh start more than Nova. The senior quarterback returns to starter status after being benched for last season’s final three games with sporadic inefficiencies and turnover woes. Nova has shown signs of maturity since mechanical tweaks — particularly with his back foot — with new offensive coordinator Ralph Friedgen. A talented receiving corps led by Leonte Carroo and Tyler Kroft provide Nova the ammo to go toe-to-toe with Halliday, but the biggest test remains on the field.
Janarion Grant — Remember when a true freshman special teamer returned his first kickoff for a 100-yard touchdown in last season’s opener at Fresno State? Grant has flashed elusive speed since arriving in Piscataway, and his role appears primed to expand. The sophomore is listed as a co-starter at the second wide receiver spot tonight as Ruhann Peele and Andre Patton are sidelined with injury. Rutgers’ Most Improved Offensive Player of the spring is also likely to see action in the slot, where he has the potential to break loose a few big plays past linebackers.
Steve Longa — Rossi moved the sophomore linebacker from the middle to the weak side in spring ball because he thought Longa could be a bigger playmaker. The switch raised eyebrows for a guy who made the Second Team All-AAC as a freshman and recorded the most tackles (123) for Rutgers at MIKE since 2002, but is there a method to Rossi’s madness? Longa is among the faster linebackers in the country and should match-up better with slot receivers than senior Kevin Snyder, who often struggled in single pass coverage and now commands the middle. Longa will get plenty of chances to make plays against a WSU passing game featuring several quick passes, screen plays and three-step drops.
Justin Goodwin — A starter at cornerback after switching from running back two weeks ago, the sophomore has much to live up to at a position of need for Rutgers. Head coach Kyle Flood recently raved about Goodwin’s intelligence as a player and said he might play every snap in tonight’s game. The Knights likely need a solid defensive debut from the Madison, New Jersey native if they are to slow down a high-octane offense.
Why Rutgers will win: For as explosive as WSU’s offense is, the Knights have the ability to keep it off the field more than usual with a deep backfield. Junior running back P.J. James led the AAC with 97.9 rushing yards per game last season, while shifty sophomore Desmon Peoples has come on strong since the spring as a complement. Rutgers also returns all five starters along its offensive line to dictate tempo and control the clock against a WSU run defense which surrendered 187.2 yards on the ground last season. With marginal improvements in pass coverage from a year ago, the Knights should seize a shootout win.
Why Washington State will win: Rutgers still has question marks in the secondary. Sophomores Nadir Barnwell and Anthony Cioffi, along with freshman Dre Boggs, all nursed injuries during camp. Senior strong safety Lorenzo Waters remains the only proven commodity in the back four, so how much it stymies Halliday and the Cougars will be easier said than done. A hostile road environment at the home of the defending Super Bowl champions also figures to be difficult for Rutgers to contend with.
Prediction: After a one-point 2OT loss in last year’s opener at Fresno State, Rutgers takes another close one on the west coast, 35-31.
For live game updates and postgame reaction throughout the night, follow us on Twitter @TargumSports and @gregp_j.
– Greg Johnson / Sports Editor
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