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Two Rutgers cornerbacks suspended after arrest for paintball gun incident

275133747_4796292347117549_592518599057046758_nby:Jonathan Wagner•09/21/21•

Jonathan Wagner

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Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images.

Rutgers has suspended cornerbacks Chris Long and Malachi Melton following an incident involving a paintball gun. Long and Melton were charged with aggravated assault and possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, per NJ.com.

Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano released a statement on Tuesday morning on the incident.

“I was informed that Chris Long and Malachi Melton were taken into police custody early this morning as a result of an incident involving a paintball gun,” Schiano said. “Both players have been suspended immediately.”

Melton has two interceptions, four pass breakups, eight tackles, one fumble recovery, and a blocked punt in three games this season. He is the younger brother of Rutgers receiver Bo Melton. Malachi was listed as a starter coming into the week, and he started six games last season as a true freshman.

Long made appearances in each of the first three games of the season but was largely in a reserve role. Rutgers is off to a 3-0 start to the season.

Rutgers’ toughest test yet awaits in Week 4 vs. Michigan

Michigan comes into this week’s intriguing matchup ranked as the No. 19 team in the latest AP Poll. The Wolverines lead the nation with 350.3 rushing yards per game. Michigan has only attempted 49 passes this season, though, making this an interesting matchup for a Rutgers secondary that just lost one of its top cornerbacks.

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Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara has completed 24 of his 37 pass attempts on the season. He has 371 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions, and also has one score on the ground.

Week 4’s matchup between Rutgers and Michigan is set for a 3:30 pm. ET kickoff on Saturday. It is one of the most intriguing games on this weekend’s slate of games.

Through three games, Rutgers has only given up 34 total points. In Week 1, the Scarlet Knights decimated Temple with a 61-14 victory. In Week 2, Rutgers snuck away with a 17-7 win at Syracuse. On Saturday, Rutgers defeated Delaware 45-13 to improve to 3-0.