Postgame Notes: Football at Illinois

RUTGERS (2-4, 1-2) 35, ILLINOIS (2-4, 0-3) 24
MEMORIAL STADIUM • CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS
OCTOBER 14, 2017 • ATTENDANCE: 35,765

PARTICIPATION

First career start (3): DB K.J. Gray, TE Nakia Griffin-Stewart, WR Everett Wormley
- Wormley became the third true freshman to start a game this season, joining fellow receivers Hunter Hayek and Bo Melton.
First start of the season (2): SS Jawuan Harris, QB Giovanni Rescigno
- Harris made his debut at strong safety after appearing in 16 career games with eight starts at wide receiver.
Collegiate debut (1): TE Travis Vokolek
- Vokelek became the 14^th true freshman to see action this season and 42nd player to make their debut as a Scarlet Knights overall. A total of 36 players have now made their collegiate debut in 2017.

TEAM NOTES

Rutgers and Illinois met for the second time in a Big Ten game, with each team winning on the road. The all-time series is now tied, 2-2, dating back to 2005.
Rutgers won its third Big Ten road game since joining the league. The Scarlet Knights previously won at Maryland (2014) and at Indiana (2015).
Rutgers won its first game over a Big Ten West opponent since joining the conference.
Head coach Chris Ash earned his first Big Ten victory.
Rutgers rushed for 274 yards, its most ever in a Big Ten game. The previous best was 212 in the 2014 home win over Indiana. Including all games, it was the most rushing yards since having 312 versus Kansas in 2015.
Rutgers averaged 5.8 per carry on 47 attempts.
The last time Rutgers rushed for five touchdowns in a game against an FBS opponent was in 2003 versus Navy.
On defense, Rutgers held an opponent under 100 rushing yards for the third time this season.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES

RB Raheem Blackshear
- Scored a 19-yard touchdown for the first score of the game.
- Finished with six carries for 87 yards (14.5 per carry).
- Now has three rushing touchdowns as a true freshman.
- Had a 41-yard rush in the fourth quarter, the longest by a Scarlet Knight this season.
RB Gus Edwards
- Recorded a season-high 91 rushing yards.
- Had his first multiple touchdown game for the first time this season and third time in his career. Previously ran for two scores with Miami at Virginia Tech in 2015.
- Now has four touchdowns this season and 16 for his career.
- Had a career-long 33-yard reception on the last play of the first quarter.
- Totaled a team-high 137 all-purpose yards in the game.
WR Janarion Grant
- Returned to the lineup after missing the last two games and led the team with three receptions for 49 yards.
- Picked up 66 all-purpose yards to bring career total to 4,603, needing 40 more to tie Brian Leonard for third in program history.
DB Jawuan Harris
- Transitioned to safety during the bye week and made the start for first collegiate action on defense.
- Collected a game-high 11 tackles with an interception and a forced fumble.
RB Josh Hicks
- Picked up a five-yard rushing touchdown for first score since having two in the 2015 win over Kansas.
RB Robert Martin
- Recorded 17th career rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter.
QB Giovanni Rescigno
- Made first start of the season at quarterback and sixth of his career.
- Ran for 41 yards on seven attempts. Added 89 passing yards.
DL Kemoko Turay
- Assisted on sack to bring career total to 13.0.

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Players Mentioned

#1 Janarion Grant: WR; 5' 10"; Redshirt Senior

#17 K.J. Gray: DB; 6' 1"; Sophomore

#86 Nakia Griffin-Stewart: TE; 6' 5"; Redshirt Sophomore

#3 Jawuan Harris: WR; 5' 9"; Redshirt Sophomore

#8 Josh Hicks: RB; 5' 10"; Senior

#7 Robert Martin: RB; 5' 11"; Senior

#17 Giovanni Rescigno: QB; 6' 3"; Redshirt Junior

#58 Kemoko Turay: DL; 6' 5"; Redshirt Senior

#25 Raheem Blackshear: RB; 5' 9"; Freshman

#13 Gus Edwards: RB; 6' 1"; Redshirt Senior

Players Mentioned

#1 Janarion Grant
: 5' 10"; Redshirt Senior
: WR

#17 K.J. Gray
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: DB

#86 Nakia Griffin-Stewart
: 6' 5"; Redshirt Sophomore
: TE

#3 Jawuan Harris
: 5' 9"; Redshirt Sophomore
: WR

#8 Josh Hicks
: 5' 10"; Senior
: RB

#7 Robert Martin
: 5' 11"; Senior
: RB

#17 Giovanni Rescigno
: 6' 3"; Redshirt Junior
: QB

#58 Kemoko Turay
: 6' 5"; Redshirt Senior
: DL

#25 Raheem Blackshear
: 5' 9"; Freshman
: RB

#13 Gus Edwards
: 6' 1"; Redshirt Senior
: RB