After losing 37-21 in week one against UMass, Rutgers fell to a different team from Massachusetts in week 2 as they lost 28-21 to Boston College on the road. Despite a slight push in the second half, the Scarlet Knights couldn’t overcome a poor start and poor quarterback play to steal a win.
Rutgers found themselves in a steep hole early thanks to some turnovers, as they failed to score until they were down 17 points. The Knights would end the half down 20-7. Rutgers would rally to pull the game within
a score a few times during the second half, but could not find a way to capitalize. After scoring in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 6, a blown coverage and a 78-yard touchdown pass and a following two-point conversion by the Eagles in the fourth quarter put Rutgers in a second two-touchdown hole that they could not climb out of despite having several opportunities to do so.
Quarterback AJ Surace had a rough first start in a Rutgers uniform, completing 18 out of 27 passes for three touchdowns and four interceptions. On the flip side, the Knights once again struggled to stop a mobile quarterback as Mason McKenzie completed 18 out of 29 passes for 252 yards, one touchdown and one interception while rushing for 94 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries.
Running back Antwan Raymond looked much better this game compared to last, totaling 134 yards on 27 carries, while backup running back Clay Thevenin ran for 36 yards on 7 carries. Their Boston College counterpart, Evan Dickens, recorded 56 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries.
Rutgers’ offensive line struggled to keep Surace upright, surrendering three sacks and five total tackles for loss throughout the game. The pressure on the defensive side of the ball for Rutgers wasn’t much better this game, only recording one sack and three tackles for loss.
The Knights offense failed to sustain drives throughout the game, going 4 of 12 on third down and 2 of 5 on fourth down while having 4 turnovers. Rutgers’ defense was more successful at getting off the field, holding Boston College to 4 of 12 on third down and causing 3 turnovers.
A bright spot for the Rutgers defense was linebacker Moses Walker, who recorded two interceptions, one sack, and four total tackles in the losing effort. On offense, KJ Duff once again proved why, despite questionable quarterback play, he is one of the best receivers in the country, recording eight catches for 137 yards and two touchdowns.
After dropping two games that most thought they would win at the beginning of the season, things will not get easier for the Knights from here on out, as they are set to open up Big Ten play next week at home against No. 14 USC. That is slated for a 3:30 p.m. kick on CBS.
