Rutgers coach Greg Schiano is facing a critical reassessment of his defense after his team was dismantled 47-15 by Indiana, the defending Big Ten champions, on Saturday. The Scarlet Knights fell to 1-4, their defense giving up 593 yards, including 329 on the ground, and allowing the Hoosiers to average 8.7 yards per play.
Schiano made it clear the defensive performance was unacceptable. “We didn’t perform well enough,” he said. “That’s taking no credit away from Indiana, they’ve won 21 straight. They’re a heck of a football team. Well coached, good players. But I expected us to play better. It’s my job to get this fixed. I’ve been doing this a long time, I know how to do it. I’ve got to go do it. I can’t talk about it, got to do it.”
The defense struggled with poor positioning and tackling, allowing Indiana too many explosive plays. This was a regression after some signs of progress in the previous two games, a close seven-point loss to USC and a dominant win over Howard. “I do think we have to examine exactly what we’re doing in all phases of defense and what are we capable of doing here and now,” Schiano added. “Not maybe a year from now or two years from now, but what are we capable of doing effectively (now).”
The defensive unit underwent a significant overhaul in the offseason. A new coaching staff led by coordinator Travis Johansen and more than ten transfers were brought in to address last season’s struggles. However, the changes have yet to produce the desired results, starting with a surprising loss to UMass in the season opener. Johansen’s defense has been unable to contain opponents, culminating in the dominant performance by Indiana.
Schiano said he would evaluate all aspects of the defense but declined to specify what changes might come. “Anything’s on the table – like I said, I love the coaching staff, I love the players,” he said. “It won’t be any of that. It’s going to be what can we do improve? We have to improve. I thought we did improve the last weeks and we didn’t improve this week.”
Despite the poor results, Schiano expressed confidence in his coaching staff and players. “Why do you believe anything? Because I do,” he said. “That’s a choice. Belief in something is a choice. I believe in these guys because I’ve worked with them every day and I see the players practice. I know how we’re capable of improving.”
Rutgers is entering a bye week, giving Schiano and his staff time to address the defensive problems before returning to action. The next seven games will test whether the team can turn things around after a frustrating start to the season.
“Do I think we’re make the College Football Playoff this year? No, I don’t think we’re there yet,” Schiano said. “But again to me the operative word is yet. I think we will get there. It’s frustrating right now, no doubt. There’s a lot of reasons we are where we are. I know what we’ve got to do. Some of it just keep working. We need some time. Some of it is we better fix some things and change some things because it’s not working. Belief is a strong thing if it’s real.”
According to Yahoo Sports.
