The Columbus Dispatch

Rutgers’ loss to Michigan gives confidence boost

- Keith Sargeant nj.com

Rutgers’ players go into every game with a simple goal, according to Noah Vedral.

“We fully expect to be in the game in the fourth quarter with a chance to win in every game,’’ the Rutgers quarterbac­k said. “That’s our expectatio­n.’’

For some teams, it may sound silly to simply strive merely to be in the game down the stretch. But for a Rutgers program that lost nine Big Ten games by a combined score of 355-51 the year before Greg Schiano took over, it makes sense.

Schiano explained this philosophy a year ago following his first game back as the Rutgers coach, a 38-27 upset of Michigan State, which snapped a 21game losing streak in Big Ten play.

“Our goal is, Can we get to the fourth quarter and have a chance? Now let’s see where the chips fall,’’ Schiano said. “This reminds me so much of being in the NFL — everybody’s good, especially when we’re playing an all-conference schedule. Can we get to the fourth quarter and have a chance? That’s what we’re trying to do.’’ Heading into the Michigan game, Schiano said he was curious to see how his team stacked up against elite Big Ten foes.

“Now we know,’’ Schiano said after the Scarlet Knights pushed the nation’s 19th-ranked team to the wire before falling 20-13. “A little bit short.’’

Vedral certainly made plays to rally the Scarlet Knights back from a 20-3 halftime deficit. The fifth-year senior quarterbac­k ended up throwing for 156 yards on 18-for-31 passing while he rushed for 46 yards in defeat.

“Moral victories are just that, and we came up short,’’ Vedral said.

He conceded the Scarlet Knights’ next test figures to be equally challengin­g. He’s expected to make the 11th start of his Rutgers career Saturday when Rutgers (3-1) hosts No. 11 Ohio State (3-1) at SHI Stadium in Piscataway.

He enters Week 5 action ranked eighth in the Big Ten in pass-efficiency rating (138.9) and passing yards (755), and seventh in touchdowns (5).

“There were a couple of plays here and there that against a good team like Michigan cost you in the end,’’ Vedral said.

Rutgers will play another good team this week, perhaps the Big Ten’s best. Ohio State has captured the conference championsh­ip in each of the last four years. Still, Vedral believes Rutgers has taken a step forward in showing it can compete with the league’s upper-echelon.

 ?? VINCENT CARCHIETTA/USA TODAY SPORTS ?? Rutgers coach Greg Schiano’s team will face Ohio State one week after coming up just short in a 20-13 loss to No. 19 ranked Michigan.
VINCENT CARCHIETTA/USA TODAY SPORTS Rutgers coach Greg Schiano’s team will face Ohio State one week after coming up just short in a 20-13 loss to No. 19 ranked Michigan.

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