Rutgers injury update: Multiple key starters ruled out vs. USC

Rutgers wide receiver Ian Strong and defensive end Wesley Bailey will be out against USC tonight, per ESPN’s Pete Thamel. Rutgers defensive end Aaron Lewis is reportedly a game-time decision.

Strong and Bailey’s absences are significant losses for the Scarlet Knights. Through seven games, Ian Strong boasts 16 catches for 267 yards, the second-most receiving yards on the team. Strong also has a touchdown.

Meanwhile, Bailey has tallied eight tackles this season, along with a sack. Rutgers desperately needs a win after suffering three straight losses, most recently falling 35-32 to UCLA.

It’s been a stunning turn of events for the Scarlet Knights, who began the season with a 4-0 record. Despite Rutgers’ recent downturn, head coach Greg Schiano hasn’t lost faith in his team.

“This program will get there,” Schiano said. “I know that there’s going to be certain people that want to cast their ballot and say, ‘Oh, we’ve got big problems.’ You call your shot. Just remember, we will get there, I promise you. So you want to call your shot now, just call it. But know that you’re calling your shot.

“It’s a long-suffering fanbase, I get that,” Schiano said. “So every time they get a little (excited) and it doesn’t exactly happen – it’ll happen. That was my point, is just hang in there. It’s going to happen. It didn’t happen overnight the first time. It’s not happening overnight this time. It will happen. I go out to practice every day. I see them train year-round. I see our coaches the way they work. It will happen.”

On Friday, Schiano and Co. will look to make it happen as they square off against USC at 11 p.m. ET. The game will air live on FOX.