(AP photo)

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

PISCATAWAY — Lost in Saturday's 56-17 loss to No. 13 Ohio State was the subtle return of sophomore Andre Patton to a normal diet at wide receiver.

Relegated to Rutgers' run-heavy packages after returning from an upper-body injury that cost him the first four games, Patton played a season-high 36 snaps Saturday, second most at receiver to Leonte Carroo.

He finished with three targets, one reception for four yards and a fumble.

"Our coaches wanted to make sure he was OK at first from his injury," Carroo said Monday. "He's been practicing well these last couple weeks. Now that he's getting back into the swing of things, later in the season now you should start to see Andre Patton a lot more."

The rest of the snap numbers at Rutgers' Z position (Carroo plays the X): Andrew Turzilli 16, John Tsimis 15. Tsimis appeared some in the slot, where Janarion Grant played almost exclusively.

Patton's snap count is skewed because he still plays on Rutgers' heavy packages and lined up late in the blowout loss, but it's a sign of his emergence in an offense that could use a consistent downfield threat opposite Carroo.

Patton was listed as a co-starter before suffering the injury during a preseason scrimmage.

Rutgers' unofficial formation count against Ohio State: 

-I-formation heavy: 12 plays
-12 personnel (one back, two tight ends): 11 plays
-shotgun with 11 personnel: 11 plays
-off-I-formation: five plays
-11 personnel: four plays
-13 personnel: three plays
-shotgun with 10 personnel, trips to one side: three plays
-shotgun with 11 personnel, tight end Tyler Kroft flexed out: three plays
-shotgun with 20 personnel: three plays
-trips in base personnel: two plays
-off-I-formation three-wide: two plays
-shotgun with 10 personnel: two plays
-shotgun empty: one play
-Maryland I (three backs in a row): one play
-goal line: one play
-I-formation three-wide: one play
-10 personnel, trips to one side: one play
-off-I-formation heavy: one play

Rutgers' unofficial snap chart for skill-position players: 

Player	Kroft	Carroo	Burton	Patton	Peoples	Goodwin	Arcidiacono	Grant
Snaps	49	47	39	36	28	27	25	25

Player	Turzilli	Tsimis	Agudosi	Bergen	Martin	Flanagan
Snaps	16	15	8	7	6	2

Rutgers' unofficial target chart in the passing game:

Player	Carroo	Grant	Goodwin	Turzilli	Kroft	Patton	Burton	Arcidiacono	Tsimis
Targets	6	5	4	3	3	3	2	1	1