Rutgers football's loss to Wisconsin another low point in lost season

MADISON, Wisconsin - Rutgers football coach Greg Schiano expressed frustration following his team's 31-10 loss to Wisconsin, describing it as another disappointing result in a season that has seen little progress. The Scarlet Knights were competitive in the first half, pushing the Badgers and connecting on a big touchdown. However, everything fell apart in the second half as Wisconsin scored 18 unanswered points.

Schiano noted that no single position played well enough to secure a win, stating "Second half no position (player or players) played well enough to consider winning." The poor second half was compounded by costly penalties, including a roughing the passer call on Jesse Ofurie, two defensive pass interference calls, and a targeting call on Tariq Hayer.

Schiano called these penalties "inexplicable." The season began poorly with a loss to UMass, raising concerns about whether the team could reach six wins and bowl eligibility. With an 2-7 record, this seems unlikely. The defense was notably lacking, and the offense has struggled to consistently perform. Injuries have further hindered the team's performance, with Rutgers playing without starting quarterback Dylan Lonergan, star wide receiver KJ Duff, and right guard Kobe Asamoah.

Despite acknowledging that coaching may not have been good enough, Schiano emphasized the need for improvement, lamenting the loss of five sacks and the overall lack of performance against a strong Badgers defense. The team has three games remaining against teams that have not performed well this season, but with their current form, these matches appear unlikely to be winnable.

Schiano hinted at a future autopsy of the season's events, acknowledging that many issues remain unresolved.