How Will Rutgers Adapt Offensively
The Rutgers football team has been dealt a significant blow to its offense with the announcement that running back Sam Brown will miss the remainder of the season due to a lower-body injury. Head coach Greg Schiano confirmed the news on Wednesday, marking another unfortunate chapter in what has been a challenging and injury-riddled career for the talented back.
Brown’s injury occurred during the Scarlet Knights’ 42-7 loss to Wisconsin on Saturday, a game in which Rutgers struggled to find offensive rhythm against a tough opponent. For Brown, this injury represents another setback in a career that has already seen its fair share of challenges. The timing of the injury could not have been worse, as Brown had been playing an important role in the Rutgers offense, particularly in the running game, which had shown significant improvement this season.
Over the first five games of the 2023 season, Brown had emerged as a key contributor, rushing for 201 yards on 40 carries with three touchdowns. Two of those touchdowns came in a critical win over Virginia Tech, where Brown showed his potential as a powerful and dynamic presence in the backfield. His performance this season had been one of the bright spots for Rutgers, as he formed a potent 1-2 punch alongside fellow running back Kyle Monangai. The two had become a formidable tandem, creating a strong and balanced rushing attack that helped keep defenses honest and provided a foundation for the offense.
Unfortunately, Brown’s injury has left the Scarlet Knights without one of their most reliable offensive weapons, forcing the team to adjust on the fly. In the immediate aftermath of the injury, Schiano acknowledged the challenge of losing a player of Brown’s caliber, but also emphasized the need for the rest of the team, particularly the running back room, to step up and fill the void. “He’s getting better,” Schiano said of Brown, although it’s clear that the focus is now on what comes next for Rutgers. “Now both he and the whole running back room are going to have to step up. You can’t play with one back the whole game, it doesn’t work that way. Now’s the time.”
With Brown sidelined for the season, the Scarlet Knights will likely turn to true freshman Antwan Raymond to take over as the lead back. Raymond, who has seen action in three games this season, has already flashed some of the potential that has made him one of the more intriguing prospects in Rutgers’ backfield. He has rushed for 137 yards on 27 carries, scoring two touchdowns in the process. While much of Raymond’s production has come in garbage time and late-game situations, Schiano is confident in his ability to handle a larger role moving forward. “He flashed early but that was end of game, kind of late-game stuff,” Schiano said, recognizing the difference between getting touches in mop-up duty and being the primary back for an entire game. “So now both he and the whole running back room are going to have to step up.”
Raymond’s performance in the coming weeks will be critical not only for the running game but also for the overall balance and effectiveness of the offense. A freshman stepping into such a pivotal role will naturally face growing pains, but Schiano has expressed confidence in his young back’s ability to rise to the occasion. Raymond’s speed, agility, and ability to hit the hole quickly could help maintain the running attack’s effectiveness, even in Brown’s absence.
In addition to Raymond, the Scarlet Knights also have other options at running back. Second-year back Ja’shon Benjamin, who has been with the program for a bit longer and has had some experience in the backfield, will be another player expected to contribute in a more prominent role. Benjamin has not seen as much playing time this season, but his familiarity with the system and his ability to provide depth could prove invaluable in the coming weeks as Rutgers adapts to the loss of Brown. Another option is true freshman Gabe Winowich, though his role has been more limited, and he will need to prove himself capable of handling the increased workload if called upon.
The situation at running back leaves Rutgers with a position of relative uncertainty heading into the remainder of the season. While the team has depth, the injury to Brown has made it clear that the Scarlet Knights will need to adjust their offensive approach. Running back by committee might become the new reality for Rutgers, as Raymond, Benjamin, and Winowich all take turns in an effort to keep the running game effective. The team will also likely lean more heavily on their offensive line to open up holes and create opportunities for the backs.
Brown’s injury is all the more difficult to swallow because it is just the latest in a series of setbacks for the young running back. A native of Philadelphia, Brown had previously shown flashes of brilliance during his freshman year in 2022, particularly in a standout performance against Indiana where he rushed for 101 yards. However, that performance was marred by an unfortunate injury in which Brown broke his foot late in the game. The injury caused him to miss the final five games of the season, and even as he returned for the 2023 campaign, he was still working his way back to full health. Despite the setbacks, Brown had looked much more explosive this season and was poised to be one of the top contributors on an offense that was beginning to find its rhythm.
Now, however, Brown faces another difficult road to recovery. After already battling through the mental and physical challenges of his 2022 injury, this latest setback will require him to go through yet another arduous rehabilitation process. For a player like Brown, who has shown so much promise and determination, the injury is a hard blow—not only for him personally but also for the Rutgers program, which had relied on his abilities to help carry the offense this season.
The loss of Brown raises several questions about how Rutgers will proceed for the remainder of the year. Rutgers’ offense has been far from dominant in recent seasons, and while there have been flashes of potential, the Scarlet Knights have struggled to maintain consistent play. The loss of Brown removes one of the more reliable offensive pieces and adds pressure on the rest of the team to step up, especially against tough opponents. The upcoming game against UCLA will be a key test for the Scarlet Knights as they attempt to adjust to life without Brown and continue to build momentum in what has been a challenging season.
As much as the injury to Brown is a setback for Rutgers, it also serves as an opportunity for others on the roster to prove their worth. Raymond, Benjamin, and Winowich will all be given the chance to demonstrate their abilities and potentially earn a greater role in the future. How they respond to the increased workload and how well they perform in the absence of Brown will be closely watched by fans, coaches, and analysts alike.
For Schiano and his staff, the immediate task is to keep the offense balanced and effective without one of its star playmakers. In recent years, Rutgers has made strides in improving its overall depth and talent, and now, with Brown sidelined, it will need to rely on that depth to continue moving forward. This is a challenge that many teams face during the course of a season, and while the loss of a player like Brown is significant, it also provides an opportunity for growth and development within the team.
As for Brown, his recovery process will undoubtedly be long and difficult, but he has already shown the resilience and determination to bounce back from setbacks in the past. The road ahead may be a tough one, but if there is one thing that is certain, it is that Brown will not give up on his dream of returning to full health and once again making an impact on the field. For now, Rutgers must focus on adjusting to the loss, developing their running back rotation, and finding new ways to move the ball in a competitive Big Ten conference.
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