A lethal combination of an early quarterback injury, passing game paralysis, and sustained defensive breakdowns handed the Rutgers Scarlet Knights a punishing 42-14 defeat against No. 24 Northwestern on Saturday afternoon at Northwestern's lakefront stadium. With the loss, Rutgers falls to 2-5 overall and 1-3 in Big Ten play, while the Wildcats climb to 6-1 (3-1 Big Ten).

The afternoon unravelled almost immediately for head coach Greg Schiano’s squad when starting quarterback Dylan Lonergan was knocked out of the contest on the team's third offensive play. Forced into structural panic, the Scarlet Knights could generate no air threat against Northwestern’s disguised coverage shells.…