Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano hosted his usual post-game press conference after the Scarlet Knights’ 42-9 loss to No.1 Ohio State to answer questions about the game.
The first question of the press conference had to do with whether or not Schiano was encouraged with what he saw through the first two and a half quarters of the game, where Rutgers found themselves only down 14-3. Schiano said that he was encouraged by that fact, but that they made too many mistakes that need to be cleaned up. He also
stressed the need to get back to work to prepare for the big game against Penn State next week.
He also addressed the defensive penalties, which negated several stops. Rutgers surrendered three touchdowns within three plays of committing a penalty that allowed Ohio State to convert on third down after the Knights had them stopped.
He also talked about how those penalties played a major role in derailing their game plan.
“The whole plan was to get it to the fourth quarter and see if we can win this game. At points, I felt we had a chance to do that. They got the ball at one one-yard line of a sack-fumble. I was proud of our guys; they stuffed them, then they caused them to commit a foul, which moved them back to the 11. And then that play you judge for yourself. I mean, I am not real happy with that play.”
The next question had to do with the fact that Schiano was animated with the officials after that play, and what he saw that caused him to be that way. Schiano mentioned that there were a few things he wasn’t pleased with today, officiating-wise, but that everyone makes mistakes and that Rutgers wasn’t just one or two penalties away from winning this game. He refused to get into the officiating further when asked a follow-up question about the calls during the game.
One of the last questions asked was how they would approach the game against Penn State next week, with all of the buzz that will surround it. In a very Schiano-like fashion, he said that the approach will be the same as it always has been and that one lesson he tries to teach his players is that circumstance cannot dictate behavior.
To view the entire press conference, click the link below!
