Rutgers scored a touchdown against Michigan, and not just any touchdown, a really long touchdown.
Rutgers got an 80-yard TD against maybe the country’s best defense. Let’s treasure it.
The Scarlet Knights had a big play, I swear.
Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Isaih Pacheco scoring that touchdown was highly unexpected, due to the recent nature of both teams. This is easily the longest offensive play Michigan’s allowed all season. Previously, they’d only allowed one play over 50 yards and none over 60 this year. For Rutgers, they’ve only had one play since 80-plus yards since 2014. They haven’t had a play over 50 yards yet this season.
For these reasons, this play deserves a breakdown.
Rutgers offensive coordinator John McNulty has shown some interesting creativity in spots this season when his team is hilariously out-talented.
On the 80-yard play, Rutgers uses Michigan’s trademark aggression against them.
Basically, the Scarlet Knights get everyone flowing to their left besides two players. Rutgers leaves defensive end Chase Winovich (red box) unblocked, and they take care of him with motion by one of the players out of the backfield. They get the bonus because safety Tyree Kinnel rotates down hard into run support as well. Pacheco makes a cutback move, and it’s all over.
From the end zone angle: my God, look at this hole and note how safety Brad Hawkins is apparently calling things out. But he’s too late actually pursuing the play and reacts a beat late.
From there, Pacheco ever so slightly uses the ref as a screen to bust out on the second level.
And a big shoutout goes to Pacheco for finishing the run.
Pacheco was basically the entire offense for Rutgers.
The running back has been primed for a breakout all season, and this was it against arguably the best defense in college football.
“It was a huge moment. The line did a great job. It was outside zone, I saw the hole, and tried to take advantage of it, make a couple guys miss, get up field, and get on the scoreboard,” Pacheco said after the game.
He had 142 of Rutgers’ 193 sack-adjusted rushing yards, 80 of which came on this play. Rutgers certainly didn’t win, but on this play they showed they can score a touchdown against Michigan at home. That’s something they didn’t do the last time these two teams met at the birthplace of the sport.
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