Rutgers University football head coach Chris Ash has named Giovanni Rescigno the team’s starting quarterback, 247 Sports reports. Ash said that Rescigno will be the quarterback “moving forward.”
Rutgers Names Giovanni Riscigno Starting Quarterback
The move comes after quarterback Chris Laviano has thrown just five touchdown passes in seven games. He’s also only completed 48.3 percent of his passes. The Scarlet Knights have lost three in a row by an average of 51 points per game, including a 58-0 loss to Ohio State and a 78-0 loss to Michigan.
Ash also said that Rescigno brought a different energy and a different spark to the team. “Excited to see what Gio can do with the offense moving forward it.”
Rescigno played the second half of the Scarlet Knights’ loss against Illinois. On their second drive, he threw a touchdown pass to tight end Nick Arcidiacono, their only score of the game.
It was the first score for Rutgers since their game against Iowa back on Sept. 24. He finished throwing 10-18 for 120 yards and a touchdown. He also threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown.
Laviano started 18 consecutive games for Rutgers since the second game of the 2015 season. In the first half against Illinois, he finished 7-12 for 62 yards. The team didn’t put up any points despite getting 12 first downs as well as 211 yards of total offense.
Offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer talked about how much he loved what Rescigno can do with his feet, as well.
“He did a nice job for us when you look at (quarterback) carries I think he had two designed runs. But when the play breaks down…he (can) make a play with his feet,” Mehringer said. Rescigno rushed for 37 yards against Illinois.
He will make his first career start when they travel to play Minnesota this Saturday. Chris Ash is in his first season as Rutgers head coach after serving as the Ohio State offensive coordinator the past few seasons.
