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Michigan State vs Rutgers: Getting to know the Scarlet Knights

By Connor Muldowney

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Last year’s Michigan State vs Rutgers game at Spartan Stadium was far from exciting as the Spartans blew out the Scarlet Knights and it wasn’t close.

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Coming into the season, Michigan State was expected to be a Big Ten title favorite, and the Spartans are living up to expectations despite winning their last few games against inferior opponents by a slim margin.

Rutgers didn’t have the highest expectations for its second season as members of the Big Ten, but the Scarlet Knights are hoping for another bowl appearance just like last season in which they finished 8-5 with a win over North Carolina in the Quick Lane Bowl.

Don’t know much about this year’s Scarlet Knights? Take a look at everything you need to know about the Scarlet Knights.

Offense

Sep 12, 2015; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Josh Hicks (8) breaks the tackle of Washington State Cougars safety Isaac Dotson (31) for yardage during second half at High Points Solutions Stadium. The Washington State Cougars defeated Rutgers Scarlet Knights 37-34.

Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

The post-Gary Nova era has been a decent one so far for Rutgers’ offense. Sophomore Chris Laviano has been playing well in his first year as the Scarlet Knights’ quarterback, completing 72 percent of his passes for 794 yards and six touchdowns with five interceptions.

Must Read: MSU Football: 5 bold predictions for the month of October

Impressively, Laviano has done all of this without star receiver Leonte Carroo who had been suspended for the last two games after an incident that happened following week two’s contest. Perfect timing, though, as Carroo will be reinstated for the game against Michigan State and will try to muster a stat line more impressive than one catch for five yards. Pretty interesting timing, huh?

Junior receivers Janarion Grant and Andre Patton have done a solid job replacing Carroo, combining for 23 catches and 272, but not yet reaching the end zone. Keep an eye on tight end Matt Flanagan as he is the top red zone target on the team, catching 10 passes and three touchdowns.

The run game has been solid as well, ranking 27th in the country with 211 yards per game, thanks to the success of Josh Hicks and Robert Martin. Hicks leads the team with 371 yards and four touchdowns on 6.0 yards per carry; Martin has 252 yards and a touchdown on 6.1 yards per touch.

Defense

Nov 29, 2014; College Park, MD, USA; Maryland Terrapins quarterback C.J. Brown (16) scrambles before being tackled by Rutgers Scarlet Knights linebacker Steve Longa (3) at Byrd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Michigan State will have a tough time running the ball against Rutgers’ scout rushing defense that allows just 118 yards per game, ranking 27th in the country. The Scarlet Knights do, however, allow more yards per rush than any of the top 50 rushing defenses in the country.

The Scarlet Knights’ defensive line has recorded eight sacks this season, good for 55th in the country and Kemoko Turay leads the way with 2.0.

As for the secondary, Connor Cook might have a field day in this one. Depending on if the weather stays dry on Saturday night, which it’s supposed to as of right now there is a zero percent chance of rain for the campus on Saturday, but 80 percent on Friday.

Rutgers ranks 108th in the country in passing yards allowed, giving up a total of 274 per game and 11.7 per completion. The Scarlet Knights have recorded three interceptions this year and Cook has thrown just one. Unless there is a complete breakdown in his play, I expect a big game from the Spartans’ senior QB.

Special Teams

Sep 12, 2015; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights wide receiver Janarion Grant (1) breaks the tackle of Washington State Cougars safety Shalom Luani (18) during first half at High Points Solutions Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

Unlike the past couple of teams Michigan State has played, the Scarlet Knights have one of the best returners in the country in Janarion Grant. The junior return man has been phenomenal this season already, returning two kickoffs for touchdowns and a punt for a score as well.

This success is nothing new for Grant, however, as he returned a punt and kickoff for a touchdown in 2013, his freshman year.

Besides the kick return that MSU has to worry about — likely having to kick it out of the back of the end zone and out of bounds on punts — the Scarlet Knights have a solid field goal unit, making 3-of-4 field goals and 14-of-15 extra points on the leg of Kyle Federico.

Next: 5 reasons 5-star SG Josh Jackson will commit to MSU

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