Early deficits force Rutgers' Paul James to adapt

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

PISCATAWAY — Having worked with Chas Dodd with the second-team offense the last two-plus years, Paul James said Monday that little will change with a new quarterback under center.

He likely hopes the only change comes with Rutgers' fortunes. The Scarlet Knights have trailed by an average of 51-plus minutes in their last five games, including 54:12 last Thursday at Central Florida.

Paul James rushed 12 times against UCF.
(AP photo)

"It's a little frustrating as a running back ... when you have an emphasis on the pass," James said. "But you have to be able to be a pass blocker. You have to be a dual-threat runner. I try to really focus on my pass-blocking ... and protect the quarterback. You can't just be a runner."

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Six of James' 12 carries against UCF came in the first quarter. For as much as Rutgers has trailed in the last month, its run-first identity has become problematic. 

James said he has come to terms with the changing dynamic.

"When you get down by a couple points, you have to throw the ball," he said. "You have to make big plays in order to make a comeback. When you get down by a couple scores, your gameplan changes.

"I definitely think we need that spark. Before we were averaging 40 points a game and it dropped down. You have to figure out the problems first and then you have to fix them."

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