Rutgers strikes first as freshman WR Ian Strong makes spectacular touchdown catch

Rutgers quarterback Gavin Wimsatt found wide receiver Ian Strong for a touchdown in the back corner of the end zone for a 7-0 lead over Northwestern.

Wimsatt, who was named the starter prior to training camp, looked much improved compared to last season at least on the opening drive. The throw found Strong, a true freshman, in the back left corner in the tightest of windows and he managed to keep one foot in bounds.

Watch below to see the impressive first score of the season.

The first TD of the year for @RFootball is a beauty! pic.twitter.com/qLt1htfy9p

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) September 3, 2023

Wimsatt engineered a fantastic drive capping off with a touchdown to Strong, spanning 6:56 to open up the game and Big Ten opener.

As a member of the Class of 2023, Strong was a three-star recruit out of Middle Island (N.Y.) St. Anthony’s, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 8 overall prospect in the state, the No. 124 safety prospect (before switching to wide receiver) and the No. 1,246 overall prospect in the class.

Ian Strong catches first TD from Gavin Wimsatt at Rutgers

It seems like the offense worked on the first drive under new offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca, who returned to Piscataway this offseason.

Head coach Greg Schiano mentioned earlier this summer what it meant to have him back on staff. It seems like Strong likes the offense considering his impact as a true freshman.

“Kirk Ciarrocca is a veteran coach, one that I know very well,” Schiano said at Big Ten Media Days. “He was on our staff at Rutgers the first go-round. He brings experience, he brings clarity, knows exactly what he wants to do and I think does a great job leading and managing our staff.

So I’m excited. I enjoy going to work every day. I enjoy being with him. He’s just a true professional. Thank God we have him, right? Because my job has changed so much just in the last year. Between Kirk Ciarrocca and Joe Harasymiak, our two coordinators, I couldn’t be more pleased. It’s the best staff I’ve been on my whole career.”