Just throwing this out there about the Greek kid vs. Nebraska:
1. In 2022, Minnesota could've suited up PJ Fleck's stripper wife taking snaps while spinning on a poll and beaten Nebraska's worst in the Big Ten defense.
2. The Greek Wonder was absolutely terrible vs. Nebraska in 2023, but he won because Nebraska started Jeff Sims who Greg Schiano wouldn't even trust to run his Scout Team.
I think there is greater value in the fact that the bulk of the Rutgers offense and defense has played multiple games on the road and all over the Big Ten. They won't be intimidated.
But this Athan stat is about as useful as trying to order salsa at a Greek restaurant.
Just curious about your definition of “absolutely terrible” on Athan’s 2023 performance (I agree that 2022 is pretty meaningless - vastly different cast of players).
Okay - I get that he threw a pick close to the red zone. That’s not great but geez - 54.5% passing for 196 yards and a TD is a heck of a lot more production than we got from the QB position last season. In 2023 we less accurate than that in all but 3 games (one was Wagner) and threw for less yards than that in every game except Temple. I will add also that Minny got no help at all from the run game that day so by the second half Nebraska knew AK would be throwing on almost every play. There were 25 official rush plays and that includes a kneel down and 6 sacks/scrambles by AK for a net of 5+ yards. So 18 true rush attempts in the game netting 55 yards total. Meanwhile - he led his team with his arm to a TD and FG to close out that win. I didn’t watch the game live but on paper that doesn’t seem awful.