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Rutgers Football: Can Scarlet Knights get to a bowl game?

By Chris Peterson

Dec 12, 2020; College Park, Maryland, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano walks onto the field during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 12, 2020; College Park, Maryland, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano walks onto the field during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /

Defense is experienced too

The Rutgers defense was good at two things in 2021: turning people over and making plays in the backfield. That’s a solid recipe for success, especially with key pieces returning on all three levels of the defense.

Olakunle Fatukasi, who had 90 tackles and 3.5 sacks last season, received First-Team All-Big Ten honors in the preseason. He’s an outstanding player and leads a linebacker group that also features Tyshon Fogg, another multi-year starter.

Getting pressure on the quarterback is important and Rutgers football was pretty solid a year ago and with the return of Mike Tverdof and Mohamed Toure, who combined for 8.5 sacks a year ago, the pass rush will be solid again.

The secondary is also loaded with depth and experience. Avery Young is back and has 30 career starts to his credit as well as being one of the leading tacklers in 2020. Tre Avery also will be back after one interception and six passes defended last year.

And much like the offense, many of the same faces that propelled Rutgers football to success in 2020, will be back in 2021.

How will that translate to wins?

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