Rutgers Football: Scarlet Knights look for success in 2018

PISCATAWAY, NJ - SEPTEMBER 30: The Rutgers Scarlet Knights mascot stands on the field during a game against the Ohio State Buckeyes on September 30, 2017 at High Point Solutions Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey. Ohio State won 56-0. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /

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(Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

Defense

An inefficient Rutgers offense wasn’t its only major concern last season. The defense also wasn’t outstanding as it ranked in the bottom tier in the Big Ten in scoring defense, total defense, run/pass defense, pass defense efficiency and sacks.

One area where it did particularly well was in the interceptions category. In 2017, the Scarlet Knights ranked fifth in the Big Ten as they picked off opponents twelve times.

In years past, the defense has been a strong suit for Rutgers. Some of the more successful Scarlet Knights in the NFL play on the defensive side of the ball. Some names that come to mind on that front are the McCourty brothers, Logan Ryan and Duron Harmon.

But recently, the Rutgers defense has been a liability especially against some of the bluebloods in the Big Ten. In 2017, the Scarlet Knight defense gave up 30 or more points in eight games. Its worst stretch was during the final three games of the season when the defense allowed 35 points, 41 points, and 40 points in loses to Penn State, Indiana and Michigan State.

The one upside is that Rutgers returns a ton of experienced players on defense.

Key Losses: Kemoko Turay, Sebastian Joseph (both to the NFL)

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