RUTGERS (4-2) at ARMY (3-4)
Friday, October 23 8:01 p.m.
Michie Stadium West Point, N.Y.
Series Record: Army leads, 18-17
Last Meeting: Rutgers 30, Army 3
Television: ESPN2 Joe Tessitore, Play-by-Play; Rod Gilmore, Color Analyst
Radio: Rutgers Football Radio Network
Affiliates: WOR 710-AM (New York City); WPEN 950-AM (Philadelphia/South Jersey); WCTC 1450-AM (Central Jersey)
Live Statistics: ScarletKnights.com
Student Radio: WRSU 88.7 FM
Satellite Radio: Sirius Channel 125, XM Channel 203
In a series that began in 1891, Rutgers looks for its sixth-straight win vs. Army Friday night in West Point. The Scarlet Knights current five-game winning streak vs. the Black Knights is the longest in series history for RU.
The Friday primetime appearance on ESPN2 is set for an 8 p.m. kickoff from Michie Stadium. ESPN2 will televise the game in HD with Joe Tessitore and Rod Gilmore on the call.
The Rutgers Radio Network has pre-game coverage at 7 p.m. Chris Carlin, Ray Lucas and Anthony Fucilli will call the action.
Rutgers radio feed is also available nationally on satellite radio. Sirius will carry the game on channel 125 and XM will broadcast the game on channel 203.
 |
|
SAVAGE
|
True Freshmen QBs Square Off
Two of the nation’s six true freshmen who serve as their team’s primary starter at quarterback square off Friday in West Point. Tom Savage is fourth among all true freshmen QBs nationally with 941 passing yards while Army’s Trent Steelman leads all true freshmen QBs with 407 rushing yards in Army’s triple-option offense.
Series Information
Rutgers looks to even the series at 18 with a win Friday night at Army. The Black Knights lead the all-time series 18-17, but Rutgers has won 8 of the last 10 meetings, including five straight victories.
Over the five-game winning streak vs. Army, Rutgers has outscored the Black Knights 158-45. Rutgers has scored 30 or more points in seven of the previous 10 meetings vs. Army.
Rutgers is a perfect 4-0 under Greg Schiano vs. Army.
New York State of Mind
Rutgers has won eight consecutive games vs. teams from the State of New York.
During the eight-game winning streak, Rutgers has outscored the Empire State opponents 268-62. Rutgers has scored at least 31 points in seven of the eight games, while only allowing double-figures in points in two games.
Rutgers has 15 New York natives on its roster, the most players from any state other than New Jersey on the team. Two starters for the Scarlet Knight defense hail from the Empire State - Nanuet’s Devin McCourty and Central Islip’s Scott Vallone.
Three members of the Rutgers coaching staff have direct ties to New York. Assistant head coach/co-offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Kyle Flood is a native of Bayside, played collegiately at Iona and coached at C.W. Post and Hofstra.
Co-defensive coordinator/secondary coach Ed Pinkham served for 10 seasons on the staff at Colgate in Hamilton, N.Y. from 1996-2007.
Linebackers coach Bob Fraser also coached the linebacking unit at Colgate from 1998-05.
Defensive line coach Gary Emanuel coached the defensive line at Syracuse from 1991-93 as well.
First Road Start for True Freshman Savage
True freshman quarterback Tom Savage will make his first start on the road Friday vs. the Black Knights.
Savage looks to become just the second true freshman QB in school history to win a road game. Ryan Cubit won his first road game in his first career start at Buffalo in 2001 (Greg Schiano’s first game as coach at RU).
Savage will be hard pressed to duplicate the numbers totaled by Mike McMahon in his first career road start at Army in 1997. In a losing effort, McMahon was 26-of-42 passing for 386 yards and one touchdown in a 37-35 loss. McMahon set RU true freshman QB records for yards, completions and attempts in the 1997 game vs. Army.
First Career Road Starts (True Freshmen QBs)
Ryan Hart, at Notre Dame (11-23-02)
12-of-25, 99 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT
Ryan Cubit, at Buffalo (8-30-01)
11-of-23, 157 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT
Mike McMahon, at Army (10-18-97)
26-of-42, 386 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Jacque LaPrairie, at Boston College (11-21-81)
2-of-16, 38 yards, 0 TD, 2 INT
Protecting the Pigskin
Rutgers is +20 in turnover differential over its last 13 games (11-2). The Scarlet Knights have gained 18 turnovers this season, including at least one in every game. In total, Rutgers has forced a turnover in 12 straight games.
Rutgers ranks second nationally and leads the BIG EAST in turnover differential (2.0).
In 2009, Rutgers is +12 in turnover differential (18 turnovers, 6 giveaways).
Over the last 13 games, Rutgers gained a total of 35 turnovers.
11-2
Rutgers has won 11 of its last 13 games, dating back to the 2008 season. The Scarlet Knights are 4-0 on the road during the streak.
Over the last 13 games, Rutgers has held six opponents to under 300 yards of total offense, including a low of 126 yards of total offense vs. Texas Southern.
Rutgers Rewind: Last Time at Army (11-9-07)
Ray Rice set a single-game Rutgers record with 243 yards on 34 carries and two touchdowns as the Scarlet Knights defeated Army 41-6 on a rain-soaked night at Michie Stadium. Rutgers scored 34 unanswered points to claim its first road victory in the month of November since the 1998 season and the first of the Greg Schiano era. Rutgers amassed 404 yards on the ground behind Rice's outstanding effort, which was the ninth-most yards in a game in BIG EAST history. Jabu Lovelace chipped in with a career-high 88 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
1 2 3 4 Final
Rutgers 14 10 7 10 41 Record: (6-4)
Army 6 0 0 0 6 Record: (3-7)
First Quarter
RU - Lovelace 3 yd run (Ito kick), 11:30
Army - Mitchell 65 yd interception return (DeMarco kick failed), 9:46
RU - McEvoy 17 yd blocked punt return (Ito kick), 3:23
Second Quarter
RU - Lovelace 2 yd run (Ito kick), 11:50
RU - FG Ito 23 yd, 2:50
Third Quarter
RU - Rice 18 yd run (Ito kick), 3:30
Fourth Quarter
RU - Rice 3 yd run (Ito kick), 14:50
RU - FG Ito 38 yd, 8:46
Friday Night Lights
Rutgers has enjoyed playing under the Friday night lights on ESPN/ESPN2, going 4-2.
The Scarlet Knights play three Friday games this season, including last week’s 24-17 last-minute defeat to Pitt.
Friday Night Football
Date Opponent Result Network
10-16-09 Pitt L, 24-17 ESPN
11-9-07 at Army W, 41-6 ESPN2
9-7-07 Navy W, 41-24 ESPN
9-29-06 at USF W, 22-20 ESPN2
11-11-05 at Louisville L, 56-5 ESPN2
9-30-05 Pitt W, 37-29 ESPN2
Non-Conference Road Wins
Since the start of the 2005 season, Rutgers is 5-2 on the road vs. non-conference opponents. The Scarlet Knights have averaged 210 rushing yards per game, including a high of 404 yards rushing in 2007 at Army.
Rutgers has had a running back rush for over 100 yards in six of the seven games since 2005. The only time the Scarlet Knights have not had a running back rush for 100 yards on the road vs. a non-conference opponent since 2005 was when Ray Rice rushed for 93 yards at Navy in 2006.
Rutgers and Army to Play at Yankee Stadium
In a series that started in 1891, Rutgers and Army will play at the new Yankee Stadium in 2011. The Scarlet Knights will be making their ninth appearance all-time at Yankee Stadium. The Scarlet Knights played their first game in the historic ballpark in the Bronx on Oct. 22, 1927 vs. NYU.
Rutgers and Army will meet on Nov. 12, 2011 in the first game in series history between the two schools in the Bronx. The last time Rutgers played at Yankee Stadium was Nov. 13, 1948 in a 40-0 victory over NYU to complete a 7-2 season.
Stingy vs. the Run
Rutgers ranks 11th nationally and second in the BIG EAST in rushing defense, allowing just 91.5 yards per game. The Scarlet Knights have held three of their last four opponents under 50 yards rushing, the first time during the nine-year tenure of Greg Schiano that Rutgers held the opposition to less than 50 yards rushing in three straight games.
The 28 yards rushing by Maryland was the lowest amount of rushing yards allowed by a Greg Schiano team on the road. Rutgers limited Texas Southern to -25 yards rushing, the lowest total by an opponent during the Schiano era.
For the season, Rutgers has held the opposition to 3.0 yards per rush.
Fewest Rushing Yards Allowed (Schiano Era)
1. -25 yards vs. Texas Southern (10-10-09)
2. -23 yards vs. Cincinnati (11-26-05)
3. -11 yards vs. Pittsburgh (9-30-05)
4. -6 vs. Ohio (9-16-06)
5. 10 vs. Norfolk State (9-15-07)
6. 28 at Maryland (9-26-09)
7. 30 vs. Kent State (9-18-04)
8. 31 vs. Kansas State (12-28-06)
9. 32 vs. Morgan State (9-27-08)
10. 37 vs. Syracuse (11-29-03)
A Continuing Trend
Rutgers is on track to allow under four yards per rush for the fourth time in five seasons. While six games remain in the season, Rutgers’ opponents have averaged just 3.0 yards per rush on 186 attempts through six games.
Against the Run Under Schiano
Year Attempts Yards Yards Per Carry
2009 186 549 3.0
2008 469 1,763 3.8
2007 513 2,076 4.0
2006 447 1,313 2.9
2005 483 1,596 3.3
2004 460 1,960 4.3
2003 462 1,957 4.2
2002 525 2,484 4.7
2001 473 2,535 5.4
Under 100 = W
Rutgers has won four consecutive games when passing for less than 100 yards in a game.
The last two times Rutgers has been held under 100 yards passing - 42 at Maryland this season and 42 at Army in 2007 - the Scarlet Knights won both games by a combined score of 75-19 and rushed for 611 yards in the two victories.
Rutgers also won two games in 2006 when passing for less than 100 yards - 72 at Pittsburgh and 83 vs. Ohio.
Game #100 is in the Win Column
Greg Schiano became the fourth coach in 140 years of Rutgers football to coach at least 100 games for the Scarlet Knights. John Bateman guided the Scarlet Knights for 13 seasons and has coached the most games in school history - 124.
Schiano’s 100th game was a 23-15 victory over Florida International. The game was also the first for Schiano vs. a former assistant in Mario Cristobal of FIU. Cristobal served on Schiano’s staff at Rutgers from 2001-03.
Schiano won his 50th game at Rutgers in impressive fashion in a 42-0 shutout of Texas Southern Oct. 10. Schiano is one of five coaches in school history to win 50 or more games.
Rutgers Head Coaches with 100 Games
Head Coach Record Years at RU Games
John Bateman 73-51 1960-72 124
Frank Burns 78-43-1 1973-83 122
Harvey Harman 74-44-2 1938-41. 46-55 120
Greg Schiano 50-53 2001-present 103
Inside the 100
Greg Schiano has had a remarkable turnaround during his tenure at Rutgers. After starting 15-35 overall in his first 50 games, Schiano is 35-18 in his last 53 games, including four consecutive bowls for the Scarlet Knights.
Overall BIG EAST
Games 1-50 15-35 4-24
Games 51-100 33-17 16-12
Games 101- 1-1 0-1
Total 50-53 20-37
Shutout in Four Straight Seasons
Rutgers is one of two teams in the nation to record a shutout in each of the last four seasons. In 2006, Rutgers blanked Illinois and Navy. In 2007, Norfolk State was shutout and Morgan State was held scoreless in 2008. In 2009, Rutgers shutout Texas Southern 42-0.
Rutgers - (2006: Illinois and Navy; 2007: Norfolk State; 2008: Morgan State; 2009: Texas Southern)
Boise State - (2006: Sacramento State; 2007: New Mexico State and Utah State; 2008: New Mexico State; 2009: Miami, Ohio)
Savage Era Begins in Impressive Fashion
Tom Savage was the fifth quarterback in school history to start as a true freshman for the Scarlet Knights and became just the second true freshman QB to win a game for the Scarlet Knights in RU’s 45-7 win over Howard. He joined Ryan Hart (2002/4 starts), Ryan Cubit (2001/11 starts), Mike McMahon (1997/5 starts) and Jacque LaPrairie (1981/1 start) as the only true freshmen to start at quarterback in school history for Rutgers.
True Freshman Quarterbacks During the Schiano Era
Greg Schiano has played three true freshmen at quarterback during his tenure as head coach - Tom Savage in 2009, Ryan Cubit in 2001 and Ryan Hart in 2002.
Savage made his Scarlet Knight debut vs. Cincinnati in the season-opener. The true freshman was 15-of-23 passing for 135 yards and a touchdown vs. the Bearcats.
Savage, a four-year letterwinner and three-year starter at quarterback for head coach Dan Algeo at Cardinal O’Hara High School, was rated as the No. 3 pro style quarterback in the nation by Tom Lemming -MaxPreps.com and the No. 8 pro style quarterback nationally by SuperPrep Magazine.
Record-Setting First Start for Savage
Tom Savage finished the Howard game 8-for-13 for 223 yards and two touchdowns. Savage set a Rutgers school record for yards per completion by a true freshman QB with 27.8 yards per completion. He broke the single-game record set by Ryan Cubit vs. Navy in 2001, when Cubit passed for an average of 25.1 yards per completion vs. the Mids (13-of-20, 327 yards).
The 223 yards passing was the fifth-best single-game total in school history by a true freshman.
In Rare Company
Tom Savage is one five players who have earned time at quarterback as true freshmen for the Scarlet Knights. Savage is 3-1 as a starter, the most victories already by a true freshman QB in school history.
True Freshman QB W-L Record as Starting QB
Quarterback, Year Overall Record BIG EAST Record
Tom Savage, 2009 3-1 0-1
Ryan Hart, 2002 0-4 0-3
Ryan Cubit, 2001 2-9 0-7
Mike McMahon, 1997 0-5 0-3
Jacque LaPrairie, 1981 0-1
Strong Performance in BIG EAST Opener
Tom Savage recorded career-highs in completions (23), attempts (39) and passing yards (248) in his first career BIG EAST start Oct. 16 vs. Pitt. Savage’s 248 yards passing were the second-highest total by a true freshman QB in school history in a BIG EAST game. Mike McMahon holds the school record for single-game passing yards vs. a BIG EAST opponent with 269 yards vs. Pitt in 1997.
Key Production on Third and Fourth Down
Tom Savage has performed best under pressure this season when passing on third and fourth down. Below is a breakdown of Savage’s statistics on third and fourth down:
Third Down
Comp. Att. Pct. First Downs TD
27 42 64% 15 0
Fourth Down
Comp. Att. Pct. First Downs TD
5 6 83% 4 2
 |
|
BROWN
|
What Can Brown Do for You?
Tim Brown has continued to get better and better as his career has progressed at Rutgers. The senior WR leads the team with 548 yards receiving in 2009. Brown also leads RU in yards per reception (19.6) and receiving yards per game (91.3).
Brown also ranks third in the conference in receiving yards per game. Below is a year-by-year breakdown of Brown’s receiving yards per game:
Tim Brown Year-by-Year
Year GP Rec. Yards Avg. TD Yards Per Game
2006 10 8 202 25.2 3 20.2
2007 12 24 340 14.2 2 28.3
2008 13 27 565 20.9 6 43.5
2009 6 28 548 19.6 3 91.3
Touchdown Brown
Tim Brown is sixth in school history with 14 career touchdown receptions.
Brown has averaged 39.9 yards on his 14 career touchdowns. Labeled the “most dangerous deep threat in the BIG EAST” by Lindy’s, Brown finished second on the team in 2008 with 27 receptions for 565 yards.
Brown is also tied for fourth in school history with six career 100-yard receiving games.
In 2009, 22 of Brown’s 28 receptions have resulted in a first down or touchdown. On third downs, 11 of his 14 receptions have moved the chains.
Rutgers Career 100-Yard Receiving Game Leaders
1. Kenny Britt (2006-08) 14
2. Tres Moses (2001-05) 7
2. Marco Battaglia (1992-95) 7
4. Tim Brown (2006-present) 6
4. Tiquan Underwood (2005-08) 6
 |
|
SANU
|
Sensational Start for Sanu
Mohamed Sanu became the first true freshman to start at wide receiver for the Scarlet Knights in his first game in the Greg Schiano era. Sanu is also the only player on the current roster to start as a true freshman in his first game as a Scarlet Knight.
Sanu caught the most passes by a true freshman WR in his first career start at Rutgers with 10 receptions for 101 yards vs. Cincinnati.
Sanu is just the fourth true freshman to start at wide receiver for Rutgers since Greg Schiano became head coach in 2001.
Sanu is second on the team in receptions (26) and receiving yards (245).
Balanced Attack
Rutgers has four players on the 2009 roster with 100-yard games in their career, including three different 100-yard rushers this season.
It is the first time since the 2002 season that Rutgers has had a 100-yard rushing performance by three different running backs in the same season.
Joe Martinek, Jourdan Brooks, De’Antwan Williams and Kordell Young have each posted 100-yard games during their career. Martinek, Brooks and Williams have surpassed the century mark this season.
100-Yard Rushers on 2009 Roster
Player Opponent Att. Yards TD
Jourdan Brooks Howard (‘09) 17 124 3
Jourdan Brooks at Navy (‘08) 22 134 2
Jourdan Brooks Louisville (‘08) 11 124 1
Joe Martinek FIU (‘09) 23 121 0
Joe Martinek at Maryland (‘09) 19 147 2
De’Antwan Williams Texas Southern (‘09) 19 132 1
Kordell Young Syracuse (‘08) 29- 143 1
 |
|
MARTNEK
|
Back-to-Back
Sophomore running back Joe Martinek became the first Scarlet Knight since Ray Rice in 2007 to rush for 100 yards in two consecutive games. Martinek went over the century mark for the first time in his career with 121 yards vs. Florida International. He eclipsed his career-high with 147 yards rushing, including 130 in the fourth quarter, including two touchdowns in the 34-13 victory over Maryland.
Starting a Bowl Tradition
Before Greg Schiano’s arrival at Rutgers, the Scarlet Knights played in one bowl game in 131 seasons of football. In his first eight seasons at the helm of the program, Schiano has guided Rutgers to four consecutive bowl games.
The Scarlet Knights are one of 31 teams to play in four consecutive bowls. Among BCS members, Rutgers is one of 21 schools to play in four straight bowl games and just one of three BIG EAST programs to play in four consecutive bowls (Rutgers, West Virginia, USF).
All-time, Rutgers is 3-2 in postseason play.
The “Chop Shop”
A school-record crowd was in attendance on Labor Day as the Scarlet Knights opened the season vs. Cincinnati.
Over the last three years, Rutgers is 18-7 at home. Since taking over as head coach in 2001, Greg Schiano’s teams are 27-23 at Rutgers Stadium.
Top Crowds in Rutgers Stadium History
1. Cincinnati 47, Rutgers 15 (9/7/09) 53,737
2. Pitt 24, Rutgers 17 50,296
3. Rutgers 42, Texas So. 0 (10/10/09) 50,169
4. Rutgers 23, FIU 15 (9/19/09) 45,273
5. Rutgers 30, #2 USF 27 (10/18/07) 44,267
Three Freshmen On ESPNU Top 150 List
Rutgers was the only school in the BIG EAST to have three of the nation’s top 150 recruits on the ESPNU150 Class of 2009. Freshman CB Darrell Givens was rated as the nation’s No. 61 recruit, Tom Savage was rated No. 125 and freshman DT Antwan Lowery was No. 134 on the top 150 list nationally.
2009 Recruiting Class Ranked Among Nation’s Top 25
Rutgers 2009 recruiting class was ranked as the best in the BIG EAST and the No. 21 class nationally according to ESPN’s Scouts, Inc.
Nine members of that recruiting class have played as true freshmen for the Scarlet Knights in 2009:
Steve Beauharnais, LB (Saddle Brook, N.J.)
Ka’Lial Glaud, LB (Atco, N.J.)
Duron Harmon, DB (Magnolia, Del.)
Mark Harrison, WR (Stratford, Conn.)
Quron Pratt, WR (Palmyra, N.J.)
Mohamed Sanu, WR (South Brunswick, N.J.)
Tom Savage, QB (Springfield, Pa.)
Tony Trahan, TE (Coppell, Texas)
De’Antwan Williams, RB (Woodbridge, Va.)
2009 First Time Starters
A total of 14 Scarlet Knights have made their debut in the starting lineup in 2009. Seven of the 14 are freshmen, including four true freshmen:
Player, Year, Position
Brandon Bing, Jr., CB
Marcus Cooper, R-Fr., WR
Mark Harrison, Fr., WR
D.C. Jefferson, R-Fr., TE
Eric LeGrand, So., DT
Antonio Lowery, Jr., WLB
Domenic Natale, 5th-Sr., QB
Charlie Noonan, R-Jr., DT
David Rowe, So., CB
Mohamed Sanu, Fr., WR
Tom Savage, Fr., QB
Tony Trahan, Fr., TE
Scott Vallone, R-Fr., DT
Desmond Wynn, R-So., OG
On This Date
Rutgers is 5-9-1 all-time on games played on Oct. 23.
The last time Rutgers played on Oct. 23, Pitt defeated the Scarlet Knights 41-17 in 2004.
The first time Rutgers played on Oct. 23 was in 1897 with a 16-0 win over Stevens.
 |
|
LOWERY
|
New Starters Making Their Mark on Defense
Two first-year starters - redshirt freshman DT Scott Vallone and junior WLB Antonio Lowery - have continued to get better and better as the year has progressed.
Vallone has been a disruptive force on the Rutgers defensive line, totaling 12 tackles, 3 TFLs and 0.5 sacks in 2009. He has six QB hurries, third-most on the team.
Lowery is second on the team with 35 tackles to go along with 3.5 TFLs, two pass breakups, one interception (returned for a TD) and a forced fumble. He ended the Pitt game with a career-high 12 tackles.
Coming of Age
Junior defensive end Jonathan Freeny has played his best football of his career in 2009. The Tampa native registered multiple sacks in consecutive games vs. Howard and FIU, becoming the first Scarlet Knight since Eric Foster in 2007 to do so.
Freeny is tied for ninth in the nation and is second in the BIG EAST with 1.08 sacks per game. . He leads RU in both sacks (6.5) and tackles for loss (8.0).
 |
|
McCOURTY
|
From Defense to Offense
Rutgers has scored a defensive touchdown in three games in 2009.
With the first-quarter interception return for a touchdown by David Rowe vs. Texas Southern, Rutgers has four defensive touchdowns in five games this season – the most since 2006, when RU posted four defensive touchdowns in 13 games.
The Scarlet Knights have six starters on defense who have scored touchdowns in their career. Senior CB Devin McCourty leads the way with two touchdowns.
Devin McCourty 2 INT TD returns
Ryan D’Imperio 1 INT TD return
George Johnson 1 Fumble TD return
Joe Lefeged 1 Fumble TD return
Antonio Lowery 1 INT return
David Rowe 1 INT TD return
