For one half, Rutgers hung in with Penn State much the same way they hung in with another ranked opponent Michigan, and in the same way they hang in for more than a half against nationally ranked Washington.
In all three matchups, the Scarlet Knights found themselves on the losing end, and eventually conceded 30+ points, belying the high level of defense Rutgers actually played in all three games.
In every one of those matchups, Rutgers not only played solid “bend-don’t break” type defense, but more than occasionally, they dictated terms.
Against Penn State, Rutgers put the Nittany Lions behind the chains, stopped the run and forced the ball out of Barkley’s hands.