Schiano returns to Rutgers with No. 11 Ohio State
PISCATAWAY » No. 11 Ohio State isn’t the only one returning to face Rutgers.
Saturday’s game at High Point Solutions Stadium marks the first time that former Scarlet Knights head coach and secondyear Buckeyes defensive coordinator Greg Schiano will be coaching in a game at Rutgers since leaving in 2011 for a two-year run with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Schiano transformed Rutgers from one of the worst programs in college football to a one that the Big Ten added in the 2014 expansion. He was out of football for two seasons before joining Urban Meyer’s staff after Chris Ash resigned to take the Rutgers head coaching job last year.
Schiano helped Ash during his transition period. The two haven’t talk much this season but will see each other Saturday when the Buckeyes (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten) face a rebuilding Rutgers (1-3, 0-1).
“It’s remarkable what they were able to do, and you know, that’s — honestly that’s one of the reasons that I made the decision to come here is because it’s been done before,” Ash said, referring to Schiano, who led Rutgers to winning seasons and bowl berths in six of his final seven seasons. “It takes a lot of time, effort and a lot of people to get it done but hoping to be able to rebuild it and get it back to where it was during his time here.”
Rutgers has a long way to go under Ash. It went 2-10 last season and it has a 15game losing streak in conference games dating to 2015.
Ohio State has won all three of its meeting with the Scarlet Knights, including 58-0 last season.
Still, Rutgers is improving. It had a chance to win in each of its three losses, including a 30-14 setback to now No. 6 Washington.
The biggest improvement for Rutgers has been its defense.
“Coach Ash is a defensive-oriented guy,” Ohio State offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said. “They’re solid up front. They’re big up front. They’re good on the edges. Rutgers did a really nice job (against Washington).”
Here’s some things to watch in the game: only one snap because coordinator Jerry Kill was concerned about how he would react to the Huskers’ blitzing defense, It was a mistake and the 240-pounder who is a lot more mobile than starter Kyle Bolin probably will see more action this week.