(AP photo)

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

Rutgers fans got their first glimpse Thursday night (and well into Friday morning) at new play caller Ralph Friedgen's offense, and the longtime Maryland coach stuck to the basics.

More than 61 percent of Rutgers' total plays in a 41-38 victory against Washington State came with its base personnel on the field, and the results spoke for themselves — 496 total yards, 215 of them rushing on 5 yards per carry.

With Andre Patton (upper body) and Ruhann Peele (upper body) out, it might have been necessary. We'll see if Friedgen's scheme changes if/when both return.

A complete unofficial breakdown of Rutgers' formations:

-offset I-formation: 17 plays
-trips with base personnel: 15 plays
-shotgun with "11" personnel: 10 plays
-I-formation: 9 plays
-offset I-formation heavy: 4 plays
-I-formation heavy: 3 plays
-traditional "11" personnel: 2 plays
-shotgun with empty backfield: 2 plays
-empty backfield: 1 play
-goal line: 1 play
-shotgun trips formation: 1 play

Rutgers found its most success from trips (three players tight to one side of the line of scrimmage) with base personnel, especially on the ground.

Rutgers' hire of Friedgen pays early dividends

Washington State had no answer for Rutgers' outside toss plays and counters out of the formation, highlighted by Paul James's 56-yard touchdown run (Andrew Turzilli made it three receivers on the play, but I'm counting it as part of Friedgen's philosophy).

Fullback Michael Burton, who set up several of James's long runs, has always been high on the formation typically used for three receivers.

A complete unofficial breakdown of Rutgers' skill position players' snap counts:

Player	Kroft	Carroo	James	Tsimis	Burton	Grant	Peoples	Flanagan	Turzilli	Bergen
Snaps	68	67	56	55	51	20	16	8	2	1

Lastly, how many times each player was targeted in the passing game, unofficially:

Player	Carroo	Grant	Tsimis	Burton	Flanagan	Kroft	James	Peoples
Targets	10	8	5	2	1	1	1	1