Chris Ash mentioned Rutgers' defensive depth issues again after last Saturday's loss to Illinois.
The head coach says it is not an excuse, but proper context to a 1-5 start that has the Scarlet Knights' defense ranked 104th nationally in total defense.
Ash said Rutgers has has 16 scholarship defenders either removed from the program, ruled out for the season or be significantly limited due to attrition (the alleged credit card fraud scheme that involved eight suspended or former players) or injury. Those losses have presented myriad issues, whether they be forced changes in scheme, mental mistakes due to exhaustion or youth, physical limitations due to talent level and, Ash alluded to for the first time after falling to the Illini, 38-17, competition issues.