Kyle Flood wanted a coordinator who would tailor Rutgers' offense around its playmakers. A healthy sample size Thursday night conveyed it. (Tyler Barto/ file photo)

By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentionan.com

When Kyle Flood held a Jan. 18 teleconference outlining the prerequisites for his new pro-style offensive coordinator, he held an exception.

"For me, a pro-style system should always be one that is able to utilize its weapons. A pro-style system will be a two-back offense, and sometimes a pro-style system will be a one-back offense, and at times a pro-style system will be a no-back offense."

Plans beyond that point had been cryptic. A horde of Rutgers' weapons returned along the perimeter, but the the program had never based its offense around the pass. 

An unclear backfield situation compounded the idea.

Onlookers had their first glimpse at Ron Prince's offense during a five-hour viewing experience Thursday night — and into Friday — in Fresno, Calif. Below are the unofficial results from 73 plays:

• Shotgun '31' (three wide receivers, one back): 17 plays (16 passes, one penalty)
• Single back '31' (quarterback under center): 16 plays (five runs, 11 passes)
• off-I-formation: 15 plays (nine runs, six passes)
• I-formation: 12 plays (eight runs, four passes)
• trips (three receivers bunched): six plays (two runs, four passes)
• heavy I-formation (extra tight end): three plays (three runs)
• trips with '22' personnel (two receivers, two backs): two plays (one run, one penalty)
• Shotgun with '22' personnel: two plays (two runs)
• goal line: one play (one pass)
• Two tight ends and a single back: one play (one run)

All of that simplified: 53 percent of Rutgers' plays came with three wide receivers on the field. Nearly 59 percent occurred with pass-friendly personnel on the field. 

RELATED: Gary Nova details new features of Ron Prince's offense

Several factors come into play, including warmer temperatures (more suitable for the passing game) and a pass-happy opponent. But a paradigm shift could be taking place in Piscataway.

An unknown variable: how sophomore P.J. James follows up a 22-carry, 182-yard performance.

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