Oct 7, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai (5) carries the football during the first quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Rutgers lostto Wisconsin 24-13 on Saturday in Madison.
It was a game that was turned on its head late in the first half. Wisconsin led 10-0 and Rutgers had punted on its first five drives of the game. Four were three and outs. However, the last drive of the half, Wimsatt made some throws and a big run to get to inside the five yard line of Wisconsin. With just seconds remaining but with two timeouts, offensive coordinator called a pass play. Wimsatt made a bad decision but Ricardo Hallman jumped the pass and ran it back 95 yards for a back breaking pick six.
Instead of at worst likely going into halftime trailing 10-3, Rutgers went into the locker room down 17-0. It was one of several puzzling offensive play calls in the first half. Ciarrocca called it very conservatively and Wisconsin wasn’t surprised at all. With RU getting the ball back at the start of the second half, they took a risk finally, but it was at the wrong time.
In my rapid reaction, I focused on the killer pick six, the lack of an offensive identity, the tremendous play of the defense in what was a disappointing and frustrating loss for Rutgers. In addition, there is still plenty of opportunity ahead with Michigan State and Indiana coming up in the next two weeks.
Listen and watch my rapid reaction the 24-13 loss for Rutgers below.
Audio
Video
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I had the same exasperated feeling after this one. A few things that jumped out to me:
1) I was very excited to see them get the ball to Langan down the field early in the game. In fact, I yelled out, Finally! Then the TEs virtually disappeared for the remainder of the game. Why?!? I think Simon was trying to hit Bowman in the back of the end zone, but I don’t understand the overall lack of use.
2) Wimsatt seems so much better at the tough throws than the easy ones.
3) If you polled RU fans before the season who we thought our best offensive player was I’ll bet that Brown V would’ve topped the list. Now…he hardly ever sees the field. I’m not saying he’s Jim Brown but zero carries?!? Aaron, I’m glad you pointed that one out.
4) Am I the only one who thinks that Aaron Young should get more touches?
5) This D might have at least a half dozen pros.
6) The biggest issue was the inability to sustain drives in the first half. I think we all share Aaron’s frustration with the play calling and the execution.
7) Thankfully, Wimsatt got back in the game and led the team on the TD drive. If not, and if he came back and played poorly, there would be many calling for Simon to take the reigns.
In my comment on another of Aaron’s articles, I spoke to Wimsatt’s performance evaluation as the midpoint of the season. For me, the issue is one of whether experience is the only thing standing in the way of Wimsatt’s continuing development to reach what most of us feel is the high potential he has based on his athletic abilities. The problem I’ve wrestled with from the beginning is the skills required of a high level QB at the collegiate level. In my other comment I stated that I thought his lack of accuracy was his mechanics in terms of his footwork and perhaps his confidence in being able to carry out his role as Ciarrocca requires. We’re going to find out more as the 2nd half of the season unfolds whether experience is the cure to correct inconsistent mechanics and confidence. The off season leading into next season will define this QB’s future, in my opinion. I think the raw talent is there but the QB position requires more. I’m betting he can be a winning QB. I’m just not sure as of yet that he can meet the expectations everyone had of him coming out of high school.
BataliBoli98
October 7, 2023 at 9:58 pm
I had the same exasperated feeling after this one. A few things that jumped out to me:
1) I was very excited to see them get the ball to Langan down the field early in the game. In fact, I yelled out, Finally! Then the TEs virtually disappeared for the remainder of the game. Why?!? I think Simon was trying to hit Bowman in the back of the end zone, but I don’t understand the overall lack of use.
2) Wimsatt seems so much better at the tough throws than the easy ones.
3) If you polled RU fans before the season who we thought our best offensive player was I’ll bet that Brown V would’ve topped the list. Now…he hardly ever sees the field. I’m not saying he’s Jim Brown but zero carries?!? Aaron, I’m glad you pointed that one out.
4) Am I the only one who thinks that Aaron Young should get more touches?
5) This D might have at least a half dozen pros.
6) The biggest issue was the inability to sustain drives in the first half. I think we all share Aaron’s frustration with the play calling and the execution.
7) Thankfully, Wimsatt got back in the game and led the team on the TD drive. If not, and if he came back and played poorly, there would be many calling for Simon to take the reigns.
pj43
October 8, 2023 at 2:49 pm
In my comment on another of Aaron’s articles, I spoke to Wimsatt’s performance evaluation as the midpoint of the season. For me, the issue is one of whether experience is the only thing standing in the way of Wimsatt’s continuing development to reach what most of us feel is the high potential he has based on his athletic abilities. The problem I’ve wrestled with from the beginning is the skills required of a high level QB at the collegiate level. In my other comment I stated that I thought his lack of accuracy was his mechanics in terms of his footwork and perhaps his confidence in being able to carry out his role as Ciarrocca requires. We’re going to find out more as the 2nd half of the season unfolds whether experience is the cure to correct inconsistent mechanics and confidence. The off season leading into next season will define this QB’s future, in my opinion. I think the raw talent is there but the QB position requires more. I’m betting he can be a winning QB. I’m just not sure as of yet that he can meet the expectations everyone had of him coming out of high school.