Rutgers’ decision to bring Greg Schiano back for the 2027 season may have landed with a thud among fans, but inside the program, the reaction sounds a lot different.
Fifth-year senior defensive end DJ Allen said the Scarlet Knights are “super excited” about Schiano returning for the eighth season of his second stint and 19th overall in Piscataway. For Allen, the news carried real weight.
“I’ve been here for five years, and the reason why I’m here is because of Coach Schiano, so hearing that news, I was elated,” Allen said Wednesday. “I’m excited to see what we’re capable of doing.”
Allen said the team was informed before Tuesday’s announcement, which came after Rutgers (2-7, 1-5) was officially knocked out of bowl contention with a 31-10 loss to Wisconsin. That defeat locked in a second straight losing season for the Scarlet Knights.
The skid has been rough. Rutgers has dropped nine of its last 10 games against FBS opponents, a stretch that also includes the stunning home loss to UMass to open the 2026 season.
There’s still a path to avoid matching the worst mark of Schiano’s second run, which came in 2022 at 4-8. Rutgers would need to win two of its final three games - at home against Nebraska and Michigan State, and on the road at Penn State.
Allen said the focus in the locker room is on what comes next, not what’s already gone wrong.
“(Our season has been) frustrating, but I think the biggest things we’re focused on this week and what we can do now, we can’t focus on the past,” Allen said. “Being prepared for Nebraska is our biggest task right now.”
Even with the disappointment surrounding the team’s record, Allen said his belief in Schiano hasn’t wavered.
“I’m just excited just because of what he’s built here,” Allen said. “Looking at his track record, he’s done great things here, and I have full belief and confidence in Coach Schiano and what he’s bringing to us and what we’re going to continue to do. So I’m excited for the rest of this year and next year.”
In Other News...
Rutgers Must Answer One Huge Offensive Question Without KJ Duff
Rutgers has spent much of the season leaning on KJ Duff as one of its most important offensive pieces, so his absence changes more than just the receiver room. The Scarlet Knights now have to sort out how they want to finish the year without one of their top playmakers, and that puts extra pressure on the rest of the passing game to absorb the workload.
Duffs injury comes at a difficult time for a team trying to keep its offense moving in the final stretch. Even with the setback, he remains a highly regarded NFL Draft prospect, which speaks to how much he had already established before the issue surfaced. For Rutgers, the immediate concern is less about his long-term future and more about who steps forward now to fill the void he leaves behind. [Read more 🡒]
Nebraska Heads To Rutgers With A Defensive Problem It Must Solve
Nebraskas trip to Rutgers comes with some roster uncertainty on both sides, and the timing makes it even more interesting for a game that already carried plenty of weight. The Cornhuskers are dealing with injuries in the middle of their defense, forcing them to sort out replacements at linebacker and in the secondary, while Rutgers is also preparing to move forward without one of its top offensive weapons.
For the Scarlet Knights, the absence of KJ Duff changes the look of the passing game and puts more pressure on the rest of the receiving group to absorb the workload. On the other side, Nebraskas defensive adjustments will be a major part of the story as both teams try to settle into new roles quickly, with each staff looking for answers before kickoff rather than after. [Read more 🡒]
Rutgers Tennis Just Landed A Recruit Worth Watching Closely
Rutgers womens tennis added a notable piece to its future this week, with head coach Hilary Ritchie announcing the signing of Kasia Chen. The five-star recruit brings a rsum that already stands out on the junior circuit, and she arrives with the kind of profile that can help raise the ceiling of a program looking to keep climbing.
Chen has built her reputation on more than just results on the court. Her junior career has come with repeated recognition for sportsmanship, and she has also been just as strong in the classroom, earning AP Scholar with Distinction honors and membership in honor societies. For Rutgers, it is the sort of addition that suggests both talent and character, even if the full impact of her arrival will take time to unfold. [Read more 🡒]