Rutgers quarterback Gavin Wimsatt passed for a score and ran for a score as the Scarlet Knights defeated Big Ten West opponent Northwestern, 24-7, in front of 53,026 sun-soaked fans in Piscataway, NJ. The win moves Rutgers record to 1-0, and perhaps more importantly 1-0 in Big Ten conference play. Here’s how it went down in New Jersey.
In a sign of things to come, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights took the opening kickoff and drove 75-yards in 16-plays to take an early 7-0 lead. Rutgers converted twice on third down and twice on fourth down to keep the drive alive. The drive was capped by a remarkable 11-yard touchdown pass from Wimsatt to WR Ian Strong in the back corner of the endzone. Originally ruled incomplete, video review showed Strong made a remarkable catch and toe-tap before being forced out of bounds. Rutgers held Northwestern scoreless for the remainder of the 1st quarter.
Starting off his career STRONG🪓 @IanStrong23 pic.twitter.com/nAOuZnPYub
— Rutgers Football (@RFootball) September 3, 2023
The Scarlet Knights offense continued its time-consuming strategy into the 2nd quarter and beyond. Wimsatt scored on a QB draw to begin the 2nd quarter and the Scarlet Knights added a Jai Patel field goal to make it 17-0 heading into halftime. RB Kyle Monangai’s 15-yard touchdown scamper with 4:05 remaining in the 3rd quarter was the final nail in Northwestern’s coffin.
The Scarlet Knights defense stifled the Northwestern offense holding the Wildcats scoreless until the final minute of the game. Rutgers relentless defense held Northwestern to 201 total yards and forced two interceptions. The 201 total yards against were the least permitted by the Scarlet Knights since joining the Big Ten Conference in 2014.
Rutgers will host former Big East-rival Temple on Saturday night in a primetime game from SHI Stadium on the Banks of the Raritan. Both teams enter the game 1-0, with Temple squeaking by Arkon to open their season. Kickoff is set for 7:30 PM/EDT.
Offensive MVP: QB Gavin Wimsatt
Rutgers’ junior quarterback Gavin Wimsatt showed flashes as to why he was a highly touted four-star recruit out of Owensboro, KY. The 6-foot 3-inch, 225-pound signal caller looked the part on Sunday completing 17 of 29 for 163 yards and touchdown. Wimsatt also rushed nine times for 33 yards and another touchdown against the Wildcats. While he still has things to work on, it’s clear that Wimsatt has all the tools and it’s easy to see why HC Greg Schiano and OC Kirk Ciarrocca gave Wimsatt the nod heading into and coming out of training camp. There were a handful of times where Wimsatt decided to stay in the pocket, or roll the pocket, and wait for a receiver to get open versus using his legs to get a first down. Schiano touched on the added poise in his post-game press conference saying he thought Wimsatt “played relaxed, confident” football on Sunday afternoon.
Defensive MVPs: The South Jersey Linebackers- Deion Jennings, Mohamed Toure, & Tyreem Powell
A lot of attention in the New Jersey football landscape is directed towards North Jersey’s Super Football Conference, well it was a triple threat of South Jersey, West Jersey Football League players that made the biggest impact for Rutgers stifling defense. The South Jersey trio of Deion Jennings (Sicklerville, NJ – Timber Creek), Mohamed Toure (Pleasantville, NJ – Pleasantville), and Tyreem Powell (Vineland, NJ – Vineland South) combined for 25 total tackles on Sunday afternoon. Jennings led the bunch with nine total tackles, while Toure and Powell both recorded eight total tackles. Toure and Powell also added a sack each and 1.0 and 1.5 tackles for loss, respectively.
Game Notes
- Sunday’s win marks the fourth season in a row the Scarlet Knights have won their season opener.
- Freshman running back Ja’Shon Benjamin (Pahokee, FL – Pahokee) took advantage of a banged up running back corps and made his first appearance as a Scarlet Knight. Benjamin rushed 20 times for 46 yards in his debut.
- DL Rene Konga, DB Shaquan Loyal, LB Tyreem Powell, LB Mohamed Toure, and DL Kenny Fletcher recorded sacks on Sunday afternoon.
- DBs Robert Longerbeam and Max Melton each had an interception.
- Rutgers was 0:19 away from their first shutout of an FBS opponent since 2009 (South Florida). Rutgers last shutout came in 2017 against FCS opponent Morgan State (65-0).
- Rutgers easily covered BetMGM’s 6.5-point spread.
Injury Notes
- DE Wesley Bailey left the game in the 2nd quarter and did not return. Schiano touched on the injury in his post-game press conference mentioning he doesn’t believe it’s anything serious, but he will be monitoring Bailey especially with a short turnaround this week.
- Rutgers was down a trio of running backs heading into Sunday’s game. Aaron Young, Sam Brown, and Al-Shadee Salaam did not play due to injury. Schiano indicated the trio could be available in some capacity in Saturday’s game against Temple.
Rutgers vs. Northwestern | September 3, 2023
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
| Northwestern | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| Rutgers | 7 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 24 |
