COLLEGE PARK, Maryland – Rutgers football got the win it needed.
The Scarlet Knights couldn’t afford another loss that would’ve been a new rock bottom, and they couldn’t afford another loss that would’ve drawn more negative scrutiny and speculation onto the program.
Greg Schiano’s team avoided all of that.
Barely.
Rutgers took control of the game in the second half, scoring 17 consecutive points to take the lead and ultimately beat Maryland, 37-30, at SECU Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 17.
The Scarlet Knights are now 2-4 with the victory, which was their first Big Ten win of the season.
This game was ugly and Rutgers was responsible for much of that.
That included a missing a field goal, another interception by quarterback Dylan Lonergan, who finished 23-of-35 for 291 yards and three touchdowns, and having an extra point get blocked by the Terrapins, who ran it all the way back for a two-point conversion.
The Scarlet Knights, who had 442 total yards of offense, also nearly blew the game.
They allowed the Terrapins to score a touchdown in the final minutes and then nearly another one in the final seconds, but Dorian Fleming’s toe was out of bounds on the fourth-down pass (it was reviewed but the call was upheld) and Rutgers got the win.
This game also included the latest highlight-reel catch by star wide receiver KJ Duff, an improved second-half defensive showing and a stellar performance by running back Clay Thevenin, who ran for 109 yards on 17 carries.
Duff’s wild catch came late in the first quarter when Lonergan lofted a pass into the left side of the end zone and with a defender all over him, Duff made a one-handed grab and got a foot inbounds for a touchdown.
By the time the second half began, Rutgers was mostly in control until its defense nearly completely unraveled.
This season has already been a rough one for the Scarlet Knights – losses to UMass and Boston College left a dent that won’t be fixed anytime soon.
But losing to this Maryland team would’ve been a whole new low. It would’ve created even more questions about the direction of the program.
It’s still hard to say what this win will mean for the rest of the season and how much of a springboard it could be.
Rutgers won’t be facing any teams that are a mess like the Terrapins are for the rest of the season.
Still, at the very least, it allowed the Scarlet Knights to narrowly avoid another embarrassing loss.
It was a win Rutgers needed.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Rutgers football holds off Maryland for win | Instant analysis