A Recap of the Brief History Between Ohio State and Rutgers

Rutgers becomes a member of the Big Ten
2014: Ohio State 56, Rutgers 17
2015: Ohio State 49, Rutgers 7
2016: Ohio State 58, Rutgers 0

Game Details

When: Saturday, September 30, 2017 
Where: Piscataway, NJ, High Point Solutions Stadium

Ohio State is 3–0 all-time against against Rutgers and is 1–0 as the away team. This is the sixth time Ohio State has played in the state of New Jersey. The Buckeyes competed in the Kickoff Classic three times.

The results of the Kickoff Classic games were a loss to No. 12 Miami in 1999, a defeat of No. 22 Boston College in 1995 and a loss to Alabama in 1986. The first game in New Jersey was a loss to Princeton in 1927. 

The Last Time...​

• Ohio State played Rutgers, the Buckeyes won 58-0. 
• The Buckeyes played in Piscataway, No. 1 Ohio State won 49-7 and a cannon crew became famous. 
• OSU played a season without playing Rutgers was 2013.
• The Scarlet and Gray lost to Rutgers was...never. 

Game 5, The Last Time...

• Ohio State played game 5 on the road was 2015. The No. 1 Buckeyes escaped Bloomington with a 34-27 win over Indiana.
• The Buckeyes lost a game 5 away tilt was 2005. No. 6 Ohio State lost to No. 16 Penn State 17-10 in Beaver Stadium. 
• OSU lost to a non-conference opponent in game 5 was in 1947 against Pittsburgh. The Panthers won 12-0 in Pitt Stadium. This was also the last time Ohio State played a non-conference opponent in game 5.

Rutgers' 2016 Season

Record: 2–10
Bowl Game: Did not play.
Coaching Status: Chris Ash (2–10) 2nd season.

Leading Offensive Players Returning From 2016
Passer: Giovanni Rescigno (889 yards)
Rusher: Robert Martin (625 yards)
Receiver: Jawuan Harris (481 yards)

Leading Defensive Players Returning From 2016
Tackles: Trevor Morris (102)
Sacks: Julian Pinnix-Odrick (5.0)
Interceptions: Deonte Roberts (1)

Notable Missing Players
QB Chris Laviano recently transferred to San Diego State. He had his best season with the Scarlet Knights in 2015 when he threw for 2,247 yards and 16 touchdowns. Last year wasn't as productive as he compiled 748 yards and 5 touchdowns and lost the starting job to Giovanni Rescigno. 

RB Justin Goodwin was second on the team with 527 rushing yards and third with 22 receptions. DB Anthony Cioffi was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Oakland Raiders. He the led Rutgers with two interceptions and was third in tackles (64).

Five Things September 30th

1. This is the 13th time the Buckeyes have played on September 30th.
2. No. 1 Ohio State defeated No. 13 Iowa 38-17 in Kinnick Stadium the last time the program played on this date.
3. The Buckeyes are 7–2–1 when facing unranked opponents on September 30th.
4. This will be Ohio State's third road game on this date.
5. The first game the Buckeyes played on September 30th was a 22-16 loss at Otterbein in 1893.

2016 Statistical Comparison

OFFENSE
39.4	13th	POINTS FOR	15.7	127th
245.2	11th	RUSHING OFFENSE	144.9	103rd
213.9	81st	PASSING OFFENSE	138.3	122nd
459.2	31st	TOTAL OFFENSE	283.2	128th
.467	17th	3rd DOWNS	.308	123rd
.871	40th	RED ZONE	.680	128th
DEFENSE
15.5	3rd	POINTS ALLOWED	37.5	116th
124.5	19th	RUSH DEFENSE	264.2	126th
172.2	7th	PASS DEFENSE	186.5	18th
94.4	3rd	PASS EFFICIENCY DEFENSE	140.1	97th
296.8	6th	TOTAL DEFENSE	450.7	97th
.322	11th	3rd DOWNS	.405	75th
.725	5th	RED ZONE	.727	6th
SPECIAL TEAMS
5.2	105th	PUNT RETURN	7.6	69th
24.4	13th	KICKOFF RETURN	19.1	98th
43.1	2nd	NET PUNTING	32.3	128th
MISCELLANEOUS
+ 1.2	3rd	TURNOVER MARGIN	- 0.4	98th
6.3	70th	PENALTIES	5.3	37th
16		EDGE	2

Leftovers

Ohio State is 84–33–8 in the fifth game of the season an is 41–16–1 when playing the fifth game on the road. 

Chris Ash finished his first season at Rutgers with a 2–10 overall record and was 0–9 in the Big Ten.

The Rutgers football program has never defeated the following Big Ten teams: Iowa (0–1), Minnesota (0–1), Nebraska (0–3), Ohio State (0–3), Purdue (0–0) and Wisconsin (0–2).

The Buckeyes are 9–1 in their last ten game five contests. Michigan State (2011) was the loss.