Here's what Greg Schiano said about Minnesota as Rutgers football returns from bye week
PISCATAWAY – Rutgers football is back from its second and final bye week of the season, and now the Scarlet Knights are preparing for what coach Greg Schiano said “might be one of the hottest teams in America right now.”
Schiano isn’t exaggerating.
Rutgers on Saturday will host the Minnesota Golden Gophers at SHI Stadium (noon, NBC) looking to snap a four-game losing streak and get back on track, especially on defense. The Scarlet Knights (4-4, 1-4 Big Ten) need to win two of their final four regular-season games to secure bowl eligibility for the second consecutive season.
Beating Minnesota, coached by former Schiano mentee PJ Fleck, won’t be easy. The Golden Gophers (6-3, 4-2) will come to Piscataway riding plenty of momentum after four straight wins over Illinois, Maryland, UCLA and Southern California. Minnesota’s lone conference losses came against Iowa and Michigan.
“When you watch the way their offense, defense and special teams have been performing, it will be a great challenge,” Schiano said Monday during a news conference inside the Hale Center.
The bye week came at a crucial time for the Scarlet Knights, who have been badly banged up, particularly defensive players. Linebacker Tyreem Powell, safety Flip Dixon, cornerback Robert Longerbeam and defensive ends Wesley Bailey and Aaron Lewis have all been listed as “questionable” for games in recent weeks.
“Our kids have worked their tails off to try to correct the things that we can do now,” Schiano said. “Try to get healthy. We have some really, really intense efforts by guys to try to get better. Who knows what this week of practice will hold. But I think we'll be in a better place health-wise than we were and that should help us.”
Schiano also acknowledged that some injuries won’t be able to fully heal during the season. But for a team reeling with injuries, any progress is significant – especially against a Minnesota team that’s playing as well as it has been.
Both sides are plenty familiar with each other.
Rutgers football coach Greg Schiano on Minnesota's defense
Golden Gophers defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman spent two seasons as Rutgers’ linebackers coach before leaving for Minnesota after last season. He’s leading a defense that’s yielding 290.6 yards per game, which ranks ninth in the nation.
“At all three levels, they are talented,” Schiano said. “Big, big defensive front. And as I said, they are well-coached.”
Schiano specifically mentioned fifth-year linebacker Cody Lindenberg, who has 62 tackles (two for loss, one sack) as the “heart and soul” of the defense. He also said he thinks cornerback Justin Walley is “an NFL player.”
So the Minnesota defense will be a challenge for Rutgers’ offense and quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis, who’s going up against his former team.
Minnesota quarterback Max Brosmer impresses Schiano with his efficiency, command of offense
The Golden Gophers haven’t been as formidable offensively – they’re averaging 337.3 total yards per game, 14th in the Big Ten and 108th in the country.
Quarterback Max Brosmer is 191-of-280 passing (68.2 percent) for 1,989 yards with 13 touchdowns and four interceptions.
“The quarterback is certainly a good player, very, very efficient and he knows what he wants to do in their offense,” Schiano said.
Minnesota has a solid running back in Darius Taylor, who’s rushed for 644 yards on 126 carries (5.1 yards per attempt) with eight touchdowns.
Schiano offered high praise, saying Taylor has a similar style as his own stud running back.
“The running back, Taylor, I think is really one of the best running backs in our league, very patient, reminds me of Kyle (Monangai),” Schiano said. “Running similar-type runs. He understands how to run them. He's patient and then he's very explosive and tough.”
The bye week is over for Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights have four games left, starting Saturday against Minnesota.
Each one is important.
The Golden Gophers will pose an immediate challenge.
“They are one of the hotter teams in college football right now and we are bringing them here,” Schiano said. “It's time to go. We had our break. We had an opportunity to get haled up and now it's time to go compete.”
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Rutgers football: Greg Schiano previews Minnesota game
