Rutgers Scarlet Knights quarterback Gavin Wimsatt (2) celebrates his touchdown with teammates during the first half against the Northwestern Wildcats at SHI Stadium. Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
During Greg Schiano’s game week presser on Tuesday, he was asked about quarterback Gavin Wimsatt and the offense being able to take the next step this weekend against Temple
“That is a young quarterback – that’s hard,” Schiano said. “You grooved it all training camp against Rutgers. Then you grooved it for six practices against Northwestern. Now we’ve got three practices in a short week to get it all ready for Temple.”
Offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca’s impact on Wimsatt’s development was apparent in how he played in Sunday’s season opener against Northwestern. Wimsatt looked more poised, confident and in control than at any prior point during his Rutgers career so far. He was able to set the tone for the team in part because Ciarrocca showed trust in him with aggressive play calling in the first two drives
Once Rutgers established a two and three score lead, the offense got more conservative. Even so, it was encouraging that Wimsatt showed real signs of improvement while also signaling his potential to do more down the road.
However, with Temple up next and on a short week, don’t expect the playbook to be expanded too much on Saturday. If Rutgers can play clean, complementary football, it should be plenty for this team to defeat the Owls at home during a blackout night game.
“We have our base offense, but now it fits to what Temple is doing, and what Temple’s doing is in some ways uniquely different than Northwestern,” Schiano said. “In other ways they’re similar – which sounds, ‘oh, that’s good’ – well it’s not always good, because only the certain things that are similar can rules carry over for. And the things that are different, you have to treat them differently.”
Every game this season is important for Wimsatt and the offense to show growth and to be able to give the defense the help it needs to take the next step as a program. Week 1 was a success but week 2 is a brand new week with fresh challenges. Hopefully, Wimsatt can continue to grow as a leader and as an impact player under center.
For more updates from Schiano during his game week presser for Temple, click here.
Watch below a video I created highlighting and analyzing Wimsatt’s top five plays in what was a positive first step this season with his performance in the win against Northwestern.
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Like many, I really had no idea what to expect from Gavin in week one. I wouldn’t say that I was shocked by his performance, but I was definitely pleasantly surprised. I think that Ciarrocca did a great job of putting Gavin in situations that fit his strengths. That said, there were also throws that showed his instincts and confidence have developed. Case in point was the 4th and 5 connection with Dremel. While the Strong touchdown reception was the clear highlight of the drive, and game, it doesn’t happen if Gavin and Christian didn’t convert a few plays before. Credit also to the OL who were very effective at giving Gavin time and, like Aaron mentioned, played a very disciplined game. Go RU!
What I would like to see a bit more is some quick passes, especially to TEs coming over the middle or just off the edge of the line. Such quick passes and screens will be needed when we face teams with potent pass rushers.
Excellent choice of Wimsatt big plays, Aaron. I’m thinking the offensive unit may get ample time to play in the Temple game. Temple had no running game against Akron. Their OL is suspect and I would expect Rutgers to shut their run game down and pressure their QB in the passing game. I’d like to see a little more of Wimsatt running the ball and, like THEVINMAN, see more of the TEs – even a 2 TE scheme. Having said that, I’ll accept whatever game plan Ciarrocca comes up with that he thinks is the best way to win.
BataliBoli98
September 5, 2023 at 10:12 pm
Like many, I really had no idea what to expect from Gavin in week one. I wouldn’t say that I was shocked by his performance, but I was definitely pleasantly surprised. I think that Ciarrocca did a great job of putting Gavin in situations that fit his strengths. That said, there were also throws that showed his instincts and confidence have developed. Case in point was the 4th and 5 connection with Dremel. While the Strong touchdown reception was the clear highlight of the drive, and game, it doesn’t happen if Gavin and Christian didn’t convert a few plays before. Credit also to the OL who were very effective at giving Gavin time and, like Aaron mentioned, played a very disciplined game. Go RU!
thevinman
September 5, 2023 at 11:01 pm
Thanks for the Top 5 plays by Wimsatt.
thevinman
September 6, 2023 at 12:01 pm
What I would like to see a bit more is some quick passes, especially to TEs coming over the middle or just off the edge of the line. Such quick passes and screens will be needed when we face teams with potent pass rushers.
pj43
September 6, 2023 at 4:29 pm
Excellent choice of Wimsatt big plays, Aaron. I’m thinking the offensive unit may get ample time to play in the Temple game. Temple had no running game against Akron. Their OL is suspect and I would expect Rutgers to shut their run game down and pressure their QB in the passing game. I’d like to see a little more of Wimsatt running the ball and, like THEVINMAN, see more of the TEs – even a 2 TE scheme. Having said that, I’ll accept whatever game plan Ciarrocca comes up with that he thinks is the best way to win.