For a program still rebuilding, Rutgers has dived into their bag of trick plays early this season to help keep games close. It was an impressive showing from their special teams on Saturday night in their 49-27 loss to Ohio State as trick plays kept the game closer than anticipated.

A week after their lateral-fest in nearly pulling off an epic touchdown play against Indiana, the Scarlet Knights went the tricker-ation route again against the No. 3 team in the nation.  Now in their second tenure under Greg Schiano, arguably the most successful head coach in program history, Rutgers is again earning a reputation for athleticism on special teams.

It can be an important factor for Rutgers, who are rebuilding on both sides of the ball. The trick plays on special teams helped keep Saturday’s game against one of the best programs in the nation competitive.

“There’s certain things that you look at that maybe you’ll have an opportunity, but the reality is those are tough things,” Schiano said after the game. “[Ohio State] is very athletic and it looks like it’s going to go the distance, and we only make it to the 36.”

Hired in 2011, Schiano rebuilt Rutgers into a nationally respected program before leaving for the NFL after the 2011 season. Special teams, in particular blocked kicks, became a hallmark of Schiano’s teams.

Now, it appears that everything is open for creativity in Schiano’s second go-around at Rutgers.

The game started with a lateral to wide receiver Bo Melton on the opening kickoff, a play that set-up a 26-yard return.

Then in the third quarter, what was termed a lateral from quarterback Noah Vedral to Raiqwon O’Neal resulted in the massive offensive lineman’s first career touchdown to make it a 35-9 game (the Scarlet Knights missed the ensuing point-after).

Lastly, Rutgers utilized a lateral on a fourth quarter punt return as well, with Aaron Cruckshank throwing across the length of the field to again find Melton, setting up what was a bobbing and weaving 52-yard touchdown.

“On the punt, we were fortunate that it was a good punt,” added Schiano. “The punter kicked a great punt which you need to run that play. It gave us time to get a few steps and throw it back. We practiced it all week and we executed it. Good for our guys.”

“We’ll dream something up,” Schiano said. “Every week is a one game season.”