PISCATAWAY – AJ Surace was only supposed to play in an emergency if Rutgers football needed him against Nebraska.
That emergency happened.
When third-stringer Sean Ashenfelder suffered an injury early in the first half against the Cornhuskers at SHI Stadium on Saturday, Surace had to come off the sideline and take over.
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Coming into the game Surace was listed as a game-time decision.
Nov 7, 2026; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights quarterback AJ Surace (10) throws a pass during warmups prior to the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Not an easy situation to say the least for Surace, who finished 4-of-12 for 24 yards.
It was a tough day all around for Rutgers’ offense, which had just 143 total yards of offense, including 101 rushing yards.
Nebraska has a solid defense that ranks among the best in the Big Ten. Going up against a unit like that would be tough enough, let alone trying to do it without Lonergan, star wide receiver KJ Duff and right guard Kobe Asamoah.
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“The doctors did a great job and we would never put a guy out there that was at further risk,” Schiano said. “But very, very painful. He tried to work through it in practice this week, it was hard. Couldn’t do everything. It was hard out there today against that defense.”
In an increasingly difficult season, the quarterback situation is only making things more challenging.
And it’s not getting any easier with a game against Penn State out at State College on Nov. 21.
Rutgers plays Michigan State, which has also struggled badly this season, in the season finale at SHI Stadium.
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Greg Schiano, longtime Rutgers football coach, former NFL coach
Greg Schiano – whose Rutgers team faced USC Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026 – is seen here in Foxborough, Massachusetts with New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick after the Patriots defeated the Schiano-coach Tampa Bay Buccaneers 25-21 in a 2013 NFL preseason game at Gillette Stadium. (Photo by Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
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Greg Schiano, longtime Rutgers football coach, former NFL coach
Greg Schiano – whose Rutgers team faced USC Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026 – is seen here in Foxborough, Massachusetts with New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick after the Patriots defeated the Schiano-coach Tampa Bay Buccaneers 25-21 in a 2013 NFL preseason game at Gillette Stadium. (Photo by Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
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Greg Schiano, longtime Rutgers football coach, former NFL coach
Aug 29, 2024; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano reacts after a Scarlet Knights touchdown during the second half against the Howard Bison at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
(Vincent Carchietta, Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports)
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Greg Schiano, longtime Rutgers football coach, former NFL coach
Aug 29, 2024; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano gestures towards an official during the first half against the Howard Bison at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
(Vincent Carchietta, Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports)
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Greg Schiano, longtime Rutgers football coach, former NFL coach
Aug 29, 2024; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano reacts during a conversation with game officials during the first half against the Howard Bison at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
(Vincent Carchietta, Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports)
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Greg Schiano, longtime Rutgers football coach, former NFL coach
Jul 23, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano speaks to the media during the Big 10 football media day at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports
(Robert Goddin, Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports)
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Greg Schiano, longtime Rutgers football coach, former NFL coach
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano lifts the trophy with Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai (5) and Rutgers Scarlet Knights quarterback Gavin Wimsatt (left) to celebrate the win against the Miami Hurricanes at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-USA TODAY Sports
(Mark Smith, Mark Smith-USA TODAY Sports)
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Greg Schiano, longtime Rutgers football coach, former NFL coach
Sep 24, 2022; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano leads his team on to the field before a game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
(Vincent Carchietta, Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports)
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Greg Schiano, longtime Rutgers football coach, former NFL coach
Head coach Greg Schiano talks to his team before the Rutgers Football Scarlet-White Spring Football game on May 20, 2021 at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, NJ.
(Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com-USA Today Network)
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Greg Schiano, longtime Rutgers football coach, former NFL coach
Greg Schiano and Senator Richard Codey as Schiano following the press conference to introduce Schiano for his second tour as Rutgers head football coach on December 4, 2019 at the Hale Center on Rutgers campus in Piscataway, NJ.
(Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com-USA Today Network)
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Greg Schiano, longtime Rutgers football coach, former NFL coach
Nov 11, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano reacts with an official during the second quarter against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
(Jeffrey Becker, Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports)
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Greg Schiano, longtime Rutgers football coach, former NFL coach
Sep 3, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano (left) shake hands with Northwestern Wildcats interim coach David Braun after their game at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
(Vincent Carchietta, Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports)
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Greg Schiano, longtime Rutgers football coach, former NFL coach
Nov 20, 2021; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano looks on from the sideline during the second quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
(Matthew OHaren, Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports)
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Greg Schiano, longtime Rutgers football coach, former NFL coach
Coach Greg Schiano and Marco Battaglia with NFL scouts as they watch and take notes while Rutger’s football players are evaluated as part of Pro Day 2022 held on campus in Piscataway, NJ on March 22, 2022.
(Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com-USA Today Network)
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Greg Schiano, longtime Rutgers football coach, former NFL coach
Coach Greg Schiano leads his team in the Rutgers all mater at the end of the game as Rutgers crushed Temple 61-14 in their season opener at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, NJ on September 4, 2021.
(Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com-USA Today Network)
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Greg Schiano, longtime Rutgers football coach, former NFL coach
Greg Schiano with Aron Cruickshank of Rutgers in the fourth quarter as Rutgers crushed Temple 61-14 in their season opener at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, NJ on September 4, 2021.
(Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com-USA Today Network)
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Greg Schiano, longtime Rutgers football coach, former NFL coach
Nov 18, 2023; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA;Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano reacts during the first half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports. Penn State won 27-6
(Vincent Carchietta, Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports)
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Greg Schiano, longtime Rutgers football coach, former NFL coach
Athletic Director Pat Hobbs, Greg Schiano and Governor Phil Murphy as Schiano is introduced for his second tour as Rutgers head football coach on December 4, 2019 at the Hale Center on Rutgers campus in Piscataway, NJ.
(Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com-USA Today Network)
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Greg Schiano, longtime Rutgers football coach, former NFL coach
Greg Schiano after Isaih Pacheco of Rutgers scored a fourth quarter TD as Rutgers crushed Temple 61-14 in their season opener at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, NJ on September 4, 2021.
(Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com-USA Today Network)
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Greg Schiano, longtime Rutgers football coach, former NFL coach
Coach Greg Schiano with offensive lineman Raiqwon O’Neal at the end of the game as Rutgers crushed Temple 61-14 in their season opener at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, NJ on September 4, 2021.
(Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com-USA Today Network)
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Greg Schiano, longtime Rutgers football coach, former NFL coach
Head coach Greg Schiano rubs the toe, a Rutgers football tradition, of the First Football Game Monument before the team arrives before the game as Temple played Rutgers in the season opener at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, NJ on September 4, 2021.
(Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com-USA Today Network)
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Greg Schiano, longtime Rutgers football coach, former NFL coach
Head coach Greg Schiano approaches the First Football Game Monument before the team arrives before the game as Temple played Rutgers in the season opener at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, NJ on September 4, 2021.
(Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com-USA Today Network)
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Greg Schiano, longtime Rutgers football coach, former NFL coach
Head coach Greg Schiano after rubbing the toe, a Rutgers football tradition, of the First Football Game Monument before the team arrives before the game as Temple played Rutgers in the season opener at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, NJ on September 4, 2021.
(Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com-USA Today Network)
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Greg Schiano, longtime Rutgers football coach, former NFL coach
Coach, Greg Schiano watches his team at the Rutgers Football Scarlet-White Spring Football game on May 20, 2021 at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, NJ.
(Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com-USA Today Network)
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Greg Schiano, longtime Rutgers football coach, former NFL coach
Head coach Greg Schiano before the Rutgers Football Scarlet-White Spring Football game on May 20, 2021 at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, NJ.
(Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com-USA Today Network)
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Greg Schiano, longtime Rutgers football coach, former NFL coach
Rutgers football’s first practice of training camp is held In Piscataway on Wednesday August 4, 2021. Head coach Greg Schiano shales a player’s hand during practice.
(Anne-Marie Caruso/NorthJersey.com)
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Greg Schiano, longtime Rutgers football coach, former NFL coach
Governor Phil Murphy applauds as Greg Schiano is introduced for his second tour as Rutgers head football coach on December 4, 2019 at the Hale Center on Rutgers campus in Piscataway, NJ.
(Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com-USA Today Network)
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Greg Schiano, longtime Rutgers football coach, former NFL coach
Chair of the Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics, Greg Brown, Athletic Director Pat Hobbs, Greg Schiano, Governor Phil Murphy and Rutgers President Robert Barchi as Schiano is introduced for his second tour as Rutgers head football coach on December 4, 2019 at the Hale Center on Rutgers campus in Piscataway, NJ.
(Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com-USA Today Network)
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Greg Schiano, longtime Rutgers football coach, former NFL coach
Greg Schiano gives a speech where he described his ÒChopÓ slogan as he was introduced for his second tour as Rutgers head football coach on December 4, 2019 at the Hale Center on Rutgers campus in Piscataway, NJ.
(Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com-USA Today Network)
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Greg Schiano, longtime Rutgers football coach, former NFL coach
Massachusetts Minutemen at Rutgers Scarlet Knights football in Piscataway, New Jersey on Thursday, September 3, 2026. Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano.
(Doug Hood/Asbury Park Press)
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Greg Schiano, longtime Rutgers football coach, former NFL coach
Massachusetts Minutemen at Rutgers Scarlet Knights football in Piscataway, New Jersey on Thursday, September 3, 2026. Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano.
(Doug Hood/Asbury Park Press)
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Greg Schiano, longtime Rutgers football coach, former NFL coach
Sep 3, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Massachusetts Minutemen head coach Joe Harasymiak and Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano talk before the game at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Greg Schiano, longtime Rutgers football coach, former NFL coach
The Rutgers University football team opened its first season under coach Greg Schiano with a 31-15 victory over the University of Buffalo on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2001.
(MyCentralJersey.com file)
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Greg Schiano, longtime Rutgers football coach, former NFL coach
Jul 28, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Rutgers Football head coach Greg Schiano speaks during Media Days at Hilton Chicago. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
(Kamil Krzaczynski, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Greg Schiano, longtime Rutgers football coach, former NFL coach
Sep 24, 2022; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz (right) talks with Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano before the game at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
(Vincent Carchietta, Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports)
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Greg Schiano, longtime Rutgers football coach, former NFL coach
Oct 18, 2025; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning, left, shakes hands with Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano after the game at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images)
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Greg Schiano, longtime Rutgers football coach, former NFL coach
Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano looks on from the sideline.
(Kevin Ng-Imagn Images)
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Greg Schiano, longtime Rutgers football coach, former NFL coach
Nov 8, 2025; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano looks on during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images)
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Greg Schiano, longtime Rutgers football coach, former NFL coach
Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer shakes hands with defensive coordinator Greg Schiano after beating Michigan Wolverines 31-20 after their game at Michigan Stadium on November 25, 2017.
(Kyle Robertson/Columbus Dispatch)
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Greg Schiano, longtime Rutgers football coach, former NFL coach
Greg Schiano Charity Golf Classic at Fiddlers Elbow Country Club. 6/8/26 Bedminster, NJ. Courtesy of Joe Epstein/Velocity Media
(Joe Epstein, JE)
Lonergan has missed the last three games due to injury.
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Schiano said he didn’t have an update on either Surace or Ashenfelder, and he wasn’t sure if they’d play in the final two games.
But Surace definitely earned the respect of his teammates trying to fight through three broken ribs.
“Hats off to that kid,” center Terrence Salami said. “I’ve had a bruised rib before, not three broken ribs, and that alone was very painful for me. I have the utmost respect for AJ.”
So who Rutgers starts at quarterback going forward remains to be seen.
The situation is getting increasingly unclear with injuries piling up.
“We’ll keep fighting, we’ll keep figuring it out,” Schiano said. “We’ve got two opportunities left to do it. These kids have busted their tails and we’re going to give it everything we’ve got and tried to help them find a way. Right now the margin of error is very, very thin.”
