Rutgers football will not have its starting quarterback against Michigan, with Dylan Lonergan officially ruled out for the Scarlet Knights’ October 31st game. This isn’t just a bump in the road, it’s a gut punch for a team that was just starting to see Lonergan find his rhythm. The injury, suffered early in their 42-14 loss to Northwestern on October 24th, marks the second time Lonergan has had to leave a game this season.
Lonergan’s Absence Leaves a Massive Hole
Coach Greg Schiano didn’t mince words about the situation, and honestly, who could blame him? He said Tuesday, “I’m disappointed and sad for the kid because this means so much to him and he puts so much of himself into it. To have to leave the game now for the (second) time, yeah it’s killing him.” You can feel the frustration, the heartbreak for Lonergan, who Schiano noted was “really coming on.” We saw it against SC, we saw it at Maryland. He was building something. Now, injuries, “part of football” as Schiano reminded us, have forced him out of another critical game. It’s a violent game, for sure, but man, this timing hurts.
Backup Quarterbacks Facing a Uphill Battle
With Lonergan officially out, Rutgers is forced to turn to one of his backups, either AJ Surace or Sean Ashenfelder. Both saw action against the Wildcats, and frankly, the numbers don’t exactly inspire confidence. Surace went 7-of-18 passing for just 64 yards and threw one interception. Ashenfelder, who stepped in during the second half, wasn’t much better, completing 2-of-9 passes for 36 yards. That’s a tough stat line when you’re looking for someone to step up.
However, Schiano is sticking by his guys, specifically Surace. He told reporters, “AJ’s a fighter. He’s not happy with the way he’s played. But he came out in practice like the national championship’s around the corner. That’s the way he approaches everything he does. If you’re going to bet on a guy, probably bet on him.” That’s the kind of fire you want to hear, but can “fighter” translate into moving the ball against Michigan? The Scarlet Knights need something special, and fast. The October 31st game against Michigan is going to be a brutal test, and all eyes will be on whether Surace or Ashenfelder can provide any spark without their starting QB.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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