PISCATAWAY – Rutgers’ run defense was poor in 2014, giving up 2,760 yards over 13 games for an average of 212.3 yards per game. The 2,760 was the most rushing yards given up by the Scarlet Knights since 1997.
Within that number, several players ran wild on Rutgers. Ohio State quarterback J.T Barrett had 107 yards against Rutgers on Oct. 18, Nebraska star Ameer Abdullah had 225 and three touchdowns the next week, and Wisconsin’s Cory Clement and Melvin Gordon combined for 259 yards and four touchdowns on Nov. 1 in Piscataway.
It goes without saying that Longa and the run defense are going to have to be a lot better to compete in the Big Ten, and Monday’s first live scrimmage would appear to be a step in the right direction.