Blessuan Austin is learning a lesson that most top cornerbacks eventually do: It can be lonely on an island all by yourself.
Rutgers' three non-conference opponents mostly avoided Austin in the passing game, choosing instead to exploit second-level defense mismatches on short and intermediate routes or test fellow cornerbacks Isaiah Wharton and Damon Hayes on shots down field.
Austin's ability to play man-to-man press coverage plus his resume as a 2016 Honorable Mention All-Big Ten selection and possible 2018 NFL Draft pick is garnering respect.
"The big thing with that is the first three games we didn’t play any Big Ten opponents," Austin said.