SATURDAY’S GAME
Rutgers at Ohio State, noon, Big Ten Network, 1410
Chris Ash has tried to change the focus of Rutgers versus Ohio State from his return to Columbus to his players seeking a big victory.
“I know the players, but it’s not about me knowing the players,” Ash said Monday. “It’s about our players knowing the players and going out and making plays. I can know the players all I want. Doesn’t matter. Our players have to know the players and matchups and the guys that they are going to go against. They are going to have to go out and execute the call in all three phases. That’s what matters.”
Ash spent two seasons as Ohio State’s co-defensive coordinator. Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said Wednesday that Ash had chances to leave during that time for other head coaching jobs but waited until the right job offer came. Meyer said Ash wanted a program that had won before and had a good recruiting base. He got that in Rutgers.
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Now Ash’s job as a first-time head coach is to compete with Ohio State in the Big Ten East Division. He’ll do that at noon Saturday when the Scarlet Knights play at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State’s personnel has changed since Ash left after last season, but otherwise, it’s the same, old Buckeyes.
“Ohio State is doing what they do,” Ash said. “That has not changed. But again, great job of coaching in my opinion on all phases of that football team. You look at what they are doing offensively with a bunch of new players, what they are doing defensively with a bunch of new players and the kicking game with guys that are covering kicks, they do an outstanding job of coaching young players to be game ready in such a short amount of time. That’s what’s impressive about it.
“Everyone says they have got talent. Yeah, they have got talent but that doesn’t mean they are going to be any good. Between coach Meyer and all the coaches there on that staff, they have done an outstanding job of getting that team game ready, and to be where they are at after three weeks into the season, coming out of a bye week, they have done an outstanding job.”
Rutgers (2-2, 0-1) ranks 12th out of 14 teams in the Big Ten in scoring offense (23.3) and scoring defense (26.0). No. 2 Ohio State (3-0) ranks first in scoring offense (56.7) and second in scoring defense (12.3). That’s why Rutgers is a 38½-point underdog.
Two injuries last week in a 14-7 loss to Iowa made Rutgers an even bigger underdog. Senior wide receiver Janarion Grant, who with 20 receptions has a third of the team’s total, suffered a season-ending ankle injury. Defensive end Quanzell Lambert suffered a season-ending knee injury.
“Both starters meant a lot to the team, and there wasn’t any one more important than another,” Ash said. “They are both really important. It’s football in general, and injuries are part of the game. We all know that, and it’s next man in. We’ll move on, the next guy will step up and we’ll go out and play productive football for us and we’re excited to see who that is.”
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