Chris Ash listed 10 true freshmen on the two-deep depth chart heading into the Washington game. The Rutgers coach then placed 17 rookies on a 74-player active roster.
But perhaps the best indication of just how many true freshmen will play this season came on the very first play of the Scarlet Knights’ 30-14 loss to Washington on Friday night. After winning the coin toss and electing to defer until the second half, Rutgers kicked off to start the game.
That meant Rutgers’ kick-coverage team was on the field first.