Greg Schiano: Will Rogers is 'performing at an incredibly high level'

Greg Schiano and Rutgers have a chance at a massive win Friday against Washington, but Will Rogers could make life difficult.

The Scarlet Knights’ coach noted the challenge of the veteran quarterback ahead of the Big Ten opener in Piscataway. While Rutgers is a home favorite over last year’s national runner-ups, Rogers could pick a talented defense apart.

Like every other week, Schiano is taking it one game, one team and one player at a time.

“Just looking at Washington, very talented team,” Schiano said this week. “Obviously played for the national championship last year. Had a lot of guys leave, a lot of guys come in. You know (it) starts, I think, with their quarterback, Will Rogers. He is performing at an incredibly high level right now. Completing 77% of his passes, has not thrown an interception all year, in four games.”

After transferring in from Mississippi State, Rogers is off to a hot start in 2024. In four games, he has 1,048 yards, eight touchdowns and zero interceptions. He threw a career high nine picks back in 2021, but threw just four last year in eight games after performing at high level in ‘21 and ‘22.

The biggest difference Schiano sees in Rogers, at least compared to last year, is head coach Jedd Fisch.

“You know, Coach Fisch is an excellent head coach, excellent offensive coordinator, and really good with the quarterbacks,” Schiano said. “You can see the effect he’s had in his career. Earlier Will has thrown interceptions.

“So early when I heard he was going there I said, oh, okay, maybe we’ll get a few. He’s not playing that way now. Very, very good with the football, and obviously accurate as maybe anybody in the country right now. So really going to be a challenge there.”

Washington (3-1) and Rutgers (3-0) have a nationally televised game Friday night in New Jersey. If Rogers shows out, it could show the Huskies are ready to put on another great run in 2024.

But Schiano knows defense, which has been Rutgers’ calling card since the coach’s return in 2020. Despite giving up a two score lead against Virginia Tech last week, Rutgers hung on to win on the road.

But this is easily the best quarterback they’ll face to this point. Rogers and the Huskies’ attack or Schiano and his blue collar Scarlet Knights could very well receive votes or be ranked in next week’s AP Poll with a solid performance.