RUTGERS (1-2) vs. ILLINOIS (0-3)
November 14, 2020 • 1:01 p.m. ET • Big Ten Network
SHI Stadium • Piscataway, N.J.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – After playing two of its first three games on the road, Rutgers football hosts Illinois on Saturday in the first of back-to-back contests at SHI Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. on Big Ten Network and the game is presented by Horizon BCBSNJ.
 
The Scarlet Knights have scored at least 20 points in three consecutive Big Ten games for the first time since joining the conference. In addition, the defense paces the league and ranks seventh nationally with nine tackles-for-loss per game.
 
TV: Big Ten Network (FOX Sports App)
Play-By-Play: Lisa Byington
Analyst: J Leman
Sideline: Coley Harvey
 
Radio: RWJBarnabas Health Rutgers Sports Network
WCTC 1450-AM, WOR 710-AM, WENJ 97.3-FM, XM 195, Sirius 138
Play-By-Play: Chris Carlin
Analyst: Ray Lucas
Analyst: Eric LeGrand
Sideline: Anthony Fucilli
Engineer: Paul Shrager
Pregame: Noon (Marc Malusis & Julian Pinnix-Odrick)
 
Student Radio: WRSU 88.7-FM
Chris Tsakonas & Troy DeSavino

 
 

SCOUTING RUTGERS

The Scarlet Knights most recently fell short at No. 3 Ohio State, 49-27, in opposing their second-straight ranked opponent. RU outscored (24-14) and outgained (290-164) the Buckeyes in the second half, scoring three offensive and one special teams touchdowns. The 27 points were the most in program history on the road at a top-three ranked opponent (sixth game).
 
The offense posted season highs in total yards (373) rushing yards (141), completions (34), passing yards (232), total plays (81) and first downs (22), while permitting only one sack against an OSU team who entered with an average of four per game. The completions mark, tallied by three different quarterbacks, signaled the most for the team in a Big Ten game and one off the single-game school record of 35 set in 2005 versus West Virginia and 1988 versus Vanderbilt. Overall, Rutgers has scored 12 touchdowns through three Big Ten weeks, doubling last season's total of six in nine conference games.
 
Defensively, linebacker Olakunle Fatukasi, who is first in the Big Ten with 37 tackles, reached double-digit stops for the third time this season with 13 with two tackles-for-loss. Defensive lineman Julius Turner racked up three tackles in the backfield to bring his 2020 total to 4.5 and join Fatukasi (5) among the top three in the conference in the category.
 
Wide receiver Bo Melton paces the offense with 15 receptions for 184 yards, also contributing on special teams in Columbus. He returned a lateral on a punt return from defensive back Avery Young 58 yards for a score, the 52^nd non-offensive touchdowns for Rutgers under head coach Greg Schiano. The Scarlet Knights now lead the nation with 23.3 yards per punt return. On kickoff return, wide receiver Aron Cruickshank holds the conference's top spot with 21 yards per attempt this season. Cruickshank's 133.3 all-purpose yards per game is fourth in the Big Ten.
 

VERSUS ILLINOIS

• Rutgers will take on Illinois in a Big Ten game for the fifth time and seventh time overall. Illinois leads the series, 4-2.
• Despite being in opposite divisions, this will be the fifth of six-straight years (2016-21) the programs will match up.
• Head coach Greg Schiano is 1-1 versus Illinois, with each team winning their end of a home-and-home series played in 2005 and 2006.
• Before reuniting in the Big Ten in 2016, Rutgers blanked Illinois at home, 33-0, in a non-conference meeting between the teams in 2006. It is one of nine shutouts for RU under Schiano. The Scarlet Knights raced out to a 20-0 lead after one quarter with a score on special teams (Derrick Roberson blocked punt return), on defense (Devin McCourty interception return) and on offense (Clark Harris 1-yard touchdown pass from Mike Teel). Ray Rice added a score to highlight a 108-yard performance, as RU outgained UI in the game, 311-126. In addition, the defense held the Fighting Illini to 0-for-12 on third down and collected five sacks.
• Rutgers picked up a 35-24 win in 2017 at Memorial Stadium. The victory marked the first over a Big Ten West opponent. RU never trailed in the contest, led by as many 18 points and scored in each quarter. The Scarlet Knights won the battle in the trenches on both sides of the ball by out-rushing the Fighting Illini, 274-86. The 274 yards (5.8 per carry) are still the most by RU in a Big Ten game. Gus Edwards led the way with 91 yards and two touchdowns. Four different running backs combined for five rushing touchdowns, the most for Rutgers against an FBS opponent since 2003 (Navy). Defensively, Jawuan Harris transitioned to safety for his first collegiate action on defense and totaled a game-high 11 tackles to go with an interception and a forced fumble. The unit garnered three turnovers overall.
• Rutgers game highs versus Illinois:
Rushing Yards: Brian Leonard, 128 (2005)
Passing Yards: Ryan Hart, 342 (2005)
Receiving Yards: Andre Patton, 90 (2016)
 

UP NEXT

Rutgers stays home to host Michigan on Nov. 21 at SHI Stadium in a game presented by RWJBarnabas Health. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. on Big Ten Network.
 


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