PISCATAWAY — When pressed on which schools serve as the model for the Rutgers football program he's trying to build, coach Chris Ash has often pointed to Michigan State as an example.
Under veteran coach Mark Dantonio, the Spartans have had a reputation for doing more with less and it's a reason why they compiled a 36-5 overall record and a 22-2 mark in the Big Ten over the past three seasons.
"Everybody talks about Ohio State and Michigan when they talk about the Big Ten, but there are 12 other teams in this league and I look at Wisconsin, Michigan State (and) Iowa as good models for us to try to achieve what they have,'' Ash said in July.