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By Steve Politi | NJ Advance Media

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You would have signed for this.

Yes, Rutgers suffered another double-digit loss to a top-tier team, and yes, most of the fans had started heading for the exits midway through the fourth quarter. Even the much-publicized hot tubs at High Point Solutions Stadium were empty -- and let's pause here to salute the students who no doubt suffered some serious wrinkled skin to soak for three full hours.

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John Munson | NJ Advance Media

Rutgers lost its season opener for a second-straight season to Washington, but the score this time -- 30-14 -- at least offers some hope that the Scarlet Knights will be far more competitive in Chris Ash's second season. They certainly looked far improved in (almost) every facet of the game.

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Kyle Bolin was an upgrade at quarterback. Gus Edwards looked like the power running back this offense lacked a season ago. Rutgers was far more conservative on offense under new coordinator Jerry Kill but also much more competent. But if you're looking for the biggest improvement ...

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1. The defense looks MUCH better

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Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media

You knew within 10 minutes against this same Washington team last season that the Scarlet Knights were in for a long season. The Huskies lined up with four lightning-fast receivers, Rutgers couldn't cover any of them, and the score was 24-0 ... in the first quarter. Rutgers was terrible defensively at times last season.

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Season prediction: Why 3-9 is likely

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So for a defense that gave up 48 points in the third three quarters a year ago in the opener to only give up 13? That's the biggest reason for optimism today if you're a Rutgers fan. What figured to be the team's biggest question mark -- the defensive front seven -- actually looked like a strength at times against a very good Washington offensive line.

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We sincerely hope Jake Browning is OK after this monster Darnell Davis @RFootball sack. https://t.co/vBeFuB9Uo7 — Rutgers On BTN (@RutgersOnBTN) September 2, 2017

Kemoko Touray, the talented defensive enigma, was unblockable at times. Willington Previlion -- a sophomore backup on the depth chart -- twice made a huge impact play on third down, including a deflected pass. Sebastian Joseph was a presence in the middle as the Washington running game only had 48 yards through three quarters.

And Darnell Davis? It's a wonder that Jake Browning got up after his first-quarter hit. The defense looked a bit gassed in the second half, and there were some blown assignments, but compared to last year it was night and day.

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2. Ash should have rolled the dice on 4th and short

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Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media

Look, on one level, I get it: Chris Ash watched the Scarlet Knights get their doors blown off too many times last season to take a lot of risks. The margin on the scoreboard matters when outsiders assess the progress of the program, and a 13-point loss looks a lot better than 50 (or more).

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Why Mike Teel got a raw deal from Bosco

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But I hated the decision to punt from the Washington 44-yard line early in the third quarter. The Scarlet Knights trailed 10-7, and rolling the dice here was a chance to seize momentum against a much better team. Washington already had a touchdown on a punt return, after all. What was Ash really risking?

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Rutgers (+28) punted on the UW 44-yard line down 10-7 in the third quarter. By the next time they crossed midfield, they were down 27-7. — Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) September 2, 2017

Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media

The fans booed the decision, and one possession later, booed a similar call on fourth-and-inches from the Rutgers 43. Washington scored on both possessions following the punts, and a 10-7 game became 20-7. Again, Ash no doubt wants to avoid the lopsided games from a season ago, but this felt like he was playing not to get blown out.

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3. Kyle Bolin is an upgrade. But ...

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Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media

Jerry Kill earned his $650,000 salary on the first offensive drive. Forget the hopes of a razzle-dazzle fast-paced spread. This was smart football with a big running back in Gus Edwards, short passes and -- eureka! -- a competent quarterback.

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Kyle Bolin: Rutgers "definitely" can go bowling

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Bolin was accurate, poised in the pocket and (mostly) made good decisions. His throw on third-and-goal from the Rutgers 3 to Janarion Grant for the touchdown was perfect -- and it had to be. Had he misfired, that pass might have ended up as an interception returned the length of the field for a touchdown. It took a lot of confidence to try that pass.

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.@RFootball is back.



Janarion Grant is back, too.



And it's so nice to see.



What. A. Drive. https://t.co/3X0viRneqZ — Rutgers On BTN (@RutgersOnBTN) September 2, 2017

But if there's one thing we know about Bolin, the graduate transfer from Louisville, is that he believes in himself. He told me this week that he "definitely" believed Rutgers could reach a bowl this season, but for that to happen, Rutgers will need to show more in the vertical passing game. Kill was right to be conservative, but the Scarlet Knights need to stretch the field.

Still: For an offense ranked last nationally in yards, this was a massive improvement.

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4. Special teams are still not special

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Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media

This was a 7-3 game late in the second quarter, with a ton of positive signs on offense and defense. The offense was trapped at the 1-yard line and clawed to the 33 with a tough drive. The defense had a pair of third-down stops to force punts, both times in Rutgers territory. Then came a familiar problem from last season.

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Hayden Rettig is happy, hungry in Tennessee

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The special teams were anything but special. Twice, ace punt returner Janarion Grant led a ball sail over his head and get downed near the goal line. Freshman Bo Melton was flagged for an unnecessary hit out of bounds to hand the Huskies 15 yards. And then, with Ryan Anderson punting out of his end zone, the Scarlet Knights looked like they did in 2016 for the first time.

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Dante Pettis....still fast as hell pic.twitter.com/frNMWHAQzC — Jack McGuire (@JackMacCFB) September 2, 2017

Anderson out-kicked his coverage, but even still, the coverage on returner Dante Pettis was unacceptable. Rutgers gave up four kick return touchdowns a season ago, and while Ash said the personnel on special teams would improve, Pettis hardly had to slow down on his way to the end zone. Washington had the lead, and on the next drive, new kicker Andrew Harte missed a 47-yard field goal that would have tied it.

"Kicking game killed us," Ash said on his way to the locker room at halftime. He's right.

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5. Hey, how about that band?

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John Munson | NJ Advance Media

To say the Rutgers game-day production had gotten stale is an understatement, so give the folks in Piscataway for trying some new things. The hot tubs for the students were -- according to eyewitness accounts -- more like warm tubs, but Rutgers should make them a regular feature as weather permits. The boats in the end zone were a bit misplaced. But again, they're trying.

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Why Rutgers season tickets are way down

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But the band? This was a noticeable difference. New band director Todd Nichols introduced a few wrinkles, including a Scarlet Knight formation -- I think I heard audible "ooooohs" from the crowd -- and then a nifty beach-themed performance compete with chairs, sunglasses, pool toys and a giant beach ball.

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Steve Politi | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Bon Jovi was played. Some things will not change.

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More Rutgers-Washington coverage

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WATCH: Bolin's great throw puts Rutgers up 7-0.

ROSTER: How many true freshman played for Rutgers?

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New Rutgers podcast: Episode No. 1

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Steve Politi may be reached at spoliti@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @StevePoliti. Find NJ.com on Facebook.