By Ryan Dunleavy | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

PISCATAWAY -- Rutgers is passing the eye test, but there's also two i's in statistics.

And that's how you know for sure that Rutgers is making progress. Numbers don't lie.

Not only the win total, up from two in 2016 to four already in 20167. Or the scoring differential, improved from -21.8 points per game in 2016 to -2.3 points per game in 2017.

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"It starts with teaching the players how to compete," coach Chris Ash said. "The next step was to try to get our players to understand what it was going to take to win games. And it's the details, it's the discipline, it's the execution, it's the consistency in what we are asking them to do, and we have gotten better at that part of it.

"But the energy, the enthusiasm, the preparation, effort, all that stuff, that's all been there. That's shown up every Saturday. That's part of the process. That's part of building a team."

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Through nine games, there are nine statistical categories where Rutgers has improved by at least 30 spots in the national rankings over its standing at this time last year.

Below you will find those nine categories listed in order from smallest to biggest year-over-year jump, plus the hard numbers and a brief explanation for the turnaround:

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BIg Ten Network

Total defense (+33)

2016: No. 99 (445 yards per game)

2017: No. 66 (393.9 yards per game)

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Rutgers is 4-5 despite ranking No. 126 in the nation in total offense. How? Because Ash is showing his defensive prowess with a team that can tackle and force takeaways.

Ash hates the term "bend-but-don't-break" defense. Maybe he'll like one of these descriptions better.

Opportunistic. Blue-collar. Prepared.

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Noah K. Murray | USA TODAY Sports

Turnover margin (+35)

2017: No. 90 (-0.33)

2016: No. 65 (Even)

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Rutgers has 11 takeaways and 11 giveaways, which is a plus/minus margin of zero. Not surprisingly that's right in the middle of the pack nationally, at No. 65 of 128.

The real year-over-year difference is in turnovers lost, of which there were 19 last season. Why is the pace down? Over the last three games, Rutgers' only turnover was an end-of-half hail mary interception.

"If you don't turn the ball over," offensive coordinator Jerry Kill said, "you're going to have a chance to win a lot of games."

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John Munson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Rushing defense (+36)

2016: No. 122 (284.4 yards per game)

2017: No. 86 (179.6 yards per game)

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Even after allowing 631 combined rushing yards in back-to-back games against Purdue and Michigan (and another 275 to Ohio State earlier in the season), Rutgers still is climbing the charts. That goes to show how poorly Rutgers stopped the run last season.

Rutgers is going deeper in the defensive line rotation, and linebackers Deonte Roberts and Trevor Morris are much improved as second-year starters.

Washington and Illinois rushed for less than 100 yards against Rutgers.

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Math behind Rutgers' bowl chances

A by the numbers look

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Big Ten Network

Interceptions (+37)

2016: No. 58 (8)

2017: No. 21 (11)

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The ball-hawking secondary that was supposed to produce interceptions was decimated by injury. Blessuan Austin is out for the season, Saquan Hampton has missed four games and counting, Kiy Hester missed one and now K.J. Gray is sidelined.

But the fill-ins have stepped up -- Gray and Jawuan Harris have two interceptions each -- and Hester has three, including two returned for a touchdown. He probably should have at least two more picks.

"He's had opportunities for some really big ones," Ash said of Hester, "and could have had an unbelievable year statistically right now from interception standpoint."

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Gregory Fisher | USA TODAY Sports

3rd down defense (+41)

2016: No. 61 (.386 percent offensive conversion rate)

2017: No. 20 (.315 percent offensive conversion rate)

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Opponents have moved the chains on just 41-of-130 third downs. That's how a defense that gives up yards gets off the field before too much damage is done.

Take the Purdue game, for example. Rutgers was outgained 474-217 and had eight first downs to Purdue's 25, but both teams went just 3-for-15 on third downs.

"We were 12-of-15 on third-down stops," defensive coordinator Jay Niemann said. "The success rate was pretty good."

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11 things to know about Rutgers this week

4-part injury report, plus the turning point in Ash's eyes

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Twitter

Net punting (+61)

2016: No. 124 (33.3 yards per punt)

2017: No. 63 (38.1 yards per punt)

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Ryan Anderson is on the watch list for the Ray Guy Award given to the top punter in the nation. Not bad for a graduate transfer from the Division III level who is averaging 43.9 yards per punt, with 17 of 58 dropped inside the 20-yard line and 22 for 50 yards or more.

"Punting the way we did to flip the field position was outstanding," Ash said after beating Purdue.

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Mike Granse | USA TODAY Sports

Fumbles lost (+73)

2016: No. 122 (11)

2017: No. 49 (5)

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Punishment for losing a fumble usually means a seat in purgatory, especially for running backs because of the depth at the position.

Josh Hicks lost a fumble against Morgan State and was benched. Three of Rutgers' lost fumbles were in one game (a win against Illinois). Robert Martin, Gus Edwards and Rescigno all bounced back by game's end, however.

"It's just concentrating more at practice on the little things," Martin said. "I'm trying to make a play all the time. I've just got to lock in and focus."

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The Great What-if

How might things be different if Rutgers beat Eastern Michigan in Week 2

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Duane Burleson | Getty Images

Kickoff return defense (+80)

2016: No. 96 (22.7 yards per kickoff)

2017: No. 16 (17.6 yards per kickoff)

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Each Rutgers special teams unit is led by a different coach, with Ash taking charge of kickoff return defense. The entire 11-man unit was named Special Teams Players of the Game after the win against Maryland.

True freshman kicker Justin Davidovicz has been a real asset with 62.6 yards per kickoff and 13 touchbacks in 41 attempts, but the coverage unit also has been a huge upgrade. Sophomore Dacoven Bailey has been one of the first in on many tackles.

"First thing I watch when I come in on Sundays from the game is kickoff coverage just because of the effort, the toughness and just the passion they have for that one rep," Ash said. "It's really impressive to watch."

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Rich Schultz | NJ Advance Media

Sacks allowed (+85)

2016: No. 100 (2.67 per game)

2017: No. 15 (1.22 per game)

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Rutgers offensive line is built to run block -- a skill that comes easier to youngsters.

And Rutgers has attempted the third-fewest passes in the Big Ten. Plus, quarterback Giovanni Rescigno is mobile enough to get out of sacks and smart enough to throw away the ball before taking the hit.

"We're No. 1 in the Big Ten in (fewest) sacks allowed," offensive line coach A.J. Blazek said. "We're doing alright there. We work on pass protection just as hard as the run."

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Inside story of how Rutgers discovered ... and lost ... Saquon Barkley

Penn State star once committed to Kyle Flood, Norries Wilson

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NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

LISTEN: Rutgers podcast Ep. 7

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Ryan Dunleavy can be reached at rdunleavy@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @rydunleavy.