Rutgers football: Three takeaways from Rutgers win over Umass 8/30

Give ’em the 1-2 punch

Circle jersey numbers one and two in your program, because they will be the motor that runs the offense’s engine. Both halves of the running back platoon Isaih Pachecho (#1), and Raheem Blackshear (#2) showed the kind of skills that translate well to the next level. They were weapons in both the running game and the passing game.

Pachecho was particularly lethal carrying the ball. He took 20 handoffs and for 156 yards. Additionally, the sophomore struck paydirt on runs of 2, 57, 2, and 4 yards. If there is one criticism of him, it was letting a beautiful pass from Carter go through his hands as he ran deep down the right sideline. The good part was that he was able to get a step on his man to break open.

Blackshear didn’t get as many handoffs as Pachecho. He carried a dozen times for 33 yards. While those weren’t lights out numbers, his impact came in a different aspect of the game. The Philadelphia native was a nightmare for UMass to cover on pass routes. Whether it was taking off like a rocket after catching a bubble screen, or burning across the middle on a slant route, he was too much for his defenders.

For the game, Blackshear caught nine passes for 126 yards and a touchdown. His 28-yard scoring reception at the end of the second quarter is the type of play that will attract pro scouts.