{
  "id": 7078727,
  "title": "Who will be Rutgers football's starting quarterback vs. USC?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/who-will-be-rutgers-footballs-starting-quarterback-vs-usc",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-13T08:02:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/rutgers-footballs-starting-quarterback-vs-080218648.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Rutgers football remains uncertain about its starting quarterback for their upcoming game against No. 14 USC on September 19. After Dylan Lonergan struggled with injuries and an uneven performance in their Week 1 loss to UMass, AJ Surace took the starting position against Boston College on September 11 but faced significant challenges. Surace completed 18 of 27 passes for 230 yards with three touchdowns but also threw four interceptions, which proved to be the most concerning issue. The interceptions occurred due to various reasons, including being hit by defenders. Despite the mistakes, Rutgers coach Greg Schiano acknowledged that growing pains and mistakes are expected from a quarterback making his first career start. Surace did not express significant nervousness about the game, stating that the environment was favorable. Lonergan, who transferred from Boston College to Rutgers in the offseason, couldn't play due to an unresolved injury. Both Surace and Lonergan were locked in a tough battle for the starting job throughout training camp, and Schiano emphasized that the decision was not easy. However, with only two games under their belt, neither player demonstrated a strong performance. Now, the uncertainty remains: if Lonergan is healthy and available, will he reclaim the starting job, or will Schiano stick with Surace? Schiano expressed confidence that the Scarlet Knights can win with either quarterback, but further improvement is necessary. As the season progresses, more questions about the team's performance at quarterback continue to arise.",
  "summary": "Both Dylan Lonergan and AJ Surace struggled in Rutgers football's first two games. It remains to be seen who starts against USC in Week 3.",
  "key_points": [
    "Rutgers uncertain about starting quarterback for USC game on September 19",
    "AJ Surace took starting position against Boston College on September 11",
    "Dylan Lonergan injured, could reclaim starting job if healthy"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Rutgers coach Greg Schiano faces a tough call on whether to stick with AJ Surace or switch to Dylan Lonergan as starting quarterback, with neither player having convincingly earned the job.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}