Rutgers's kickoff unit struggled against Maryland last week, allowing the Terrapins to recover a kickoff that bounced off the grass at the Scarlet Knights' 19-yard line. A week of preparation didn't help Rutgers on Saturday, though, as return man Isaih Pacheco called a fair catch at the Scarlet Knights's 1-yard-line during a Northwestern kickoff.
The blunder pinned Rutgers 99 yards from the Wildcats' end zone, which isn't great field position for an offense that averages 15.1 points per game, last in the Big 10. Rutgers wasn't able to work its way into Northwestern territory, punting after a three-and-out.