PISCATAWAY – Rutgers football avoided what would’ve been a season-opening disaster.

The Scarlet Knights beat Ohio 34-31 to kick off their 2025 campaign Thursday night at SHI Stadium in Week 1 of the college football season behind a productive first-half offense and opportunistic special teams play.

In a season where winning each nonconference game is paramount because of the difficulty of the Big Ten slate ahead, the Scarlet Knights needed this win.

A loss wouldn't been a major setback, even this early in the season.

But Rutgers’ defense, which coach Greg Schiano called earlier this week a “work in progress,” has a long way to go if this season is going to end with a third-straight postseason appearance.

First, the good part for Rutgers against Ohio...

Rutgers’ offense was clicki

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