Rutgers is going to need some players to step up this season if it hopes to get things headed in the right direction and improve on a 1-11 season from a year ago.

Bo Melton could easily be one of those guys. And he’s showing it in the season opener against UMass.

Trailing UMass 21-7, McLane Carter fired a deep ball down the field in Melton’s direction with a couple defenders draped over the wide receiver. But Melton was able to hold off the defenders and haul in the touchdown grab, while losing his helmet.

Quite the catch for Melton.

Melton finished last season as Rutgers’ second-leading receiver, totaling 245 yards on 28 catches. In 2017, he had four receptions for 83 yards.

With a hopefully improved passing attack, Melton could be a lot more involved in the offense this year than he was his first two seasons in Piscataway. He’s already taking advantage of the opportunity.