PISCATAWAY – For years, Rutgers football fans pulled their hair out about the anemic offense, the lack of a downfield passing game, the conservative play calling.

The worm has turned.

The Scarlet Knights were wholly unrecognizable in the 2025 season opener, airing the ball out, rolling the dice on fourth downs, and putting together a highlight reel of offensive firepower starting with returning quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis.

But they were an out-of-character sieve on defense, and it nearly cost them during an 34-31 escape of Ohio. The reliable tenets of Greg Schiano’s unit – the pass rush, the red-zone stands, the turnover generation – were nowhere to be found.

It should be noted: Ohio is not your typical opening-game patsy. The Bobcats are the defending MAC champions, and returning

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