Photo by: Ben Solomon/Rutgers Athletics
Football Heads to Indianapolis for Big Ten Media Day
Jul 22 | Football
Tune in Friday on Big Ten Network
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The 2021 Big Ten Football Media Days are set to take place at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis this week. Rutgers football will make its rounds on Friday with linebacker Olakunle Fatukasi, wide receiver Bo Melton and quarterback Noah Vedral joining head coach Greg Schiano. The group will appear live on Big Ten Network in addition to wide-ranging interviews with national media outlets throughout the day.
Schiano will take the main podium live at 11 a.m. and join the studio set at 3:45 p.m. The three student-athletes will follow on the Big Ten Network set at 4:15 p.m. Rutgers opens the season Sept. 2 versus Temple at SHI Stadium in a game presented by PNC. Click here for information on season tickets and the 2021 promotional schedule.
Schiano will take the main podium live at 11 a.m. and join the studio set at 3:45 p.m. The three student-athletes will follow on the Big Ten Network set at 4:15 p.m. Rutgers opens the season Sept. 2 versus Temple at SHI Stadium in a game presented by PNC. Click here for information on season tickets and the 2021 promotional schedule.
| THE SCARLET KNIGHTS |
- Heading into year two of Schiano's return, the team brings back 20 players who made at least five starts in 2020, including 11 who started all nine games. In addition, the starting punter, kicker and long snapper return to the special teams units. The Scarlet Knights also retained all 10 full-time assistant coaches on the staff.
- RU matched the program high with three Big Ten victories last season, all on the road. The Scarlet Knights had three Big Ten road victories combined the previous six seasons. Two of the wins came when trailing at halftime, as the team only had two such comeback Big Ten wins previously since joining the conference in 2014.
- The Scarlet Knights had 14 players recognized in the All-Big Ten voting, the most for the program since joining the league. The previous high was eight total honorees in 2017. That includes four on the top-three teams in 2020 after totaling six combined the previous six years in the Big Ten and two over the last four seasons.
- Academically, Rutgers saw 46 student-athletes earn Academic All-Big Ten honors, a program high.
| OFFENSE |
- Rutgers posted a program-best 26.7 points per game in a Big Ten season (previous best 21.2 in 2015). The Scarlet Knights scored at least 20 points in eight games this year after reaching the 20-plus mark five times the previous four seasons and 12 times in the first 52 Big Ten games. The 26.7 points per game ranked eighth in the Big Ten, improving from No. 14, as the previous best ranking in Big Ten-only games was 11th in 2014.
- Rutgers was the fourth-most improved team in the nation by scoring offense (+13.4 points per game). In addition, the Scarlet Knights scored 81 more points than in 2019 (playing three fewer games), the sixth-best improvement in the nation in total points scored (the five higher team all played 12 games). In addition, RU was the most improved in the Big Ten total touchdowns scored (+12) and offensive touchdowns (+9).
- Rutgers averaged over 300 yards per game in a Big Ten season for the first time since 2015. The increase of 66 yards per game overall was the best improvement among Big Ten teams in 2020. The 3,052 yards of total offense was 1,172 more than the previous year in Big Ten play.
| DEFENSE |
- Rutgers caused 19 turnovers, most in a season since 2012, and 10 more than were forced in 2019. That included at least one takeaway in eight games, multiple in four games and at least four two times. Helped the team establish a +5 turnover margin, its best in a Big Ten season and only the second time (2015) being on the plus side.
- Rutgers led the Big Ten and ranked No. 11 nationally with 7.8 tackles-for-loss per game.
- Rutgers posted 21 sacks, most in a Big Ten season (previous best was 16 in 2014). An increase of eight from the previous season.
| SPECIAL TEAMS |
- Only in the Big Ten and Power 5, with at least three kick return touchdowns (two kickoff, one punt). One of just four teams nationally to achieve the feat.
- Led the Big Ten and ranked No. 16 nationally with 25.73 yards per kickoff return.
- Reset the school record (for the third-straight season) with a net punt of 42.27, second in the Big Ten and eighth nationally.
| OLAKUNLE FATUKASI |
- Recently named to Bednarik Award Watch List, an award that honors the top defensive player in college football.
- Led the Big Ten with 101 tackles last season, ranking ninth nationally with 11.2 per game for the best average by a Scarlet Knight since 1999. The linebacker also paced the team and placed second in the conference with 11.0 tackles-for-loss. Voted First Team All-Big Ten by the media in 2020.
- Earned a spot on the 2020 Butkus Award semifinalist list.
| BO MELTON |
- Added to the Biletnikoff Award watch list last season as one of the top receivers nationally regardless of position. Voted honorable mention All-Big Ten in the media and coaches' vote.
- Ranked third in the Big Ten with nine total touchdowns, fifth with six receiving touchdowns, fifth with 638 receiving yards, fifth with 235 combined kick return yards, sixth with 47 receptions, sixth with 54 points, seventh with 5.2 receptions per game and 10th with 104.67 all-purpose yards per game.
- Played in all 45 career games with 109 receptions, 1,393 receiving yards, eight receiving touchdowns and 1,742 all-purpose yards.
| NOAH VEDRAL |
- Started seven games last season and completed 136-of-221 passes for 1,253 yards and nine touchdowns. Added 193 rushing yards with 20 first downs on the ground to average 206.6 yards of total offense per game, seventh-best in the Big Ten.
- Ranked third in the Big Ten with a 61.5 completion percentage, third with 19.43 completions per game, fifth with nine passing touchdowns, seven with 1,253 passing yards and 10th with 64 points responsible for.
- Engineered a 16-play, 75-yard drive capped by a 11-yard touchdown pass on fourth down with 27 seconds left and rushed for a two-point conversion to tie the game and force overtime versus Michigan. Went 29-for-43 passing for 381 yards, eighth-most in a game in program history, and three touchdowns in the game.
Follow Rutgers football on Twitter (@RFootball), Facebook (/RFootballShow) and Instagram (@rfootball) for the latest news and updates. Also subscribe to the YouTube channel and bookmark Rutgers.Football, the Scarlet Knights' dedicated recruiting site.
Players Mentioned
Defensive Line Coach Dennis Dottin-Carter - 04/04/26
Saturday, April 04
Offensive Line Coach Jim Turner - 04/04/26
Saturday, April 04
Tight Ends Coach Scott Vallone - 04/02/26
Thursday, April 02
Defensive Coordinator Travis Johansen - 03/31/26
Tuesday, March 31
