Overview
- Rutgers announced Tuesday that AJ Surace will start at quarterback Friday at Boston College because Dylan Lonergan left the Sept. 3 opener with an injury and has not practiced.
- Surace relieved Lonergan late against UMass, completing 6 of 9 passes for 77 yards and a touchdown, but he has only thrown 18 collegiate passes before this weekend.
- Lonergan completed 16 of 29 for 242 yards with two touchdowns and multiple interceptions in the 37-21 upset loss to UMass and was removed in the fourth quarter for an unspecified injury.
- The Friday game in Chestnut Hill falls on the 25th anniversary Red Bandanna observance at Boston College, removing Lonergan’s expected return-to-B.C. subplot from the night’s storyline.
- The switch heightens scrutiny on coach Greg Schiano and the offense’s readiness, and a poor showing by Surace could deepen questions about Rutgers’ direction while a win would buy the program breathing room.