Rutgers plays quarterback shuffle in another Big Ten loss to Wisconsin

(AP photo)

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

PISCATAWAY — The injury was clear. The insult came later.

Rutgers continued to stick with a visibly hobbled Gary Nova on Saturday despite an offense stuck in High Point Solutions Stadium’s rain-soaked turf.

But with backup Chris Laviano on the sideline until the third quarter, it didn’t matter who was under center in another lopsided loss, this time a 37-0 decision to Wisconsin, its first shutout since 2002 against Notre Dame.

Nova was a game-time decision after suffering a right leg injury last week at Nebraska. His right ankle taped with wrapping around his knee, Nova finished 5-for-15 for 46 yards and an interception before Laviano took over midway through the third.

Rutgers (5-4, 1-4) managed 139 total yards and eight first downs.

It recorded more three-and-outs (7) than Nova’s completions in a half-plus as Wisconsin (6-2, 3-1) put the game on cruise control.

Nova’s availability was hardly Rutgers’ biggest issue as a three-game losing streak surfaced, but it revealed its firm hesitations to turn from the status quo.

Nova, who has started parts of all four seasons, has never missed a start because of injury.