Scarlet Knights Game Preview
Oct 13 | Football
CONNECTICUT (5-1, 1-0
) at RUTGERS (1-5, 0-2)
Date: Saturday, Oct. 18 12 noon
Site: Piscataway, N.J.
Stadium: Rutgers Stadium
Series Record: Rutgers leads, 18-9
Last Meeting: Connecticut 38, Rutgers 19 (2007)
Last Meeting at Rutgers: Rutgers 24, Connecticut 13 (2006)
Television: ESPNU (National) Dave Armstrong- Play-by-Play, Larry Coker- Analyst, Melissa Knowles - Sidelines
Radio: The Rutgers Radio Network can be heard on WOR (AM-710) and WCTC (AM-1450) Chris Carlin (Play-by-Play), former Rutgers TE Tim Pernetti (Color Analyst) and Anthony Fuccilli (Sideline Reporter) on the call. Marc Malusis serves as the rre-game and post-game host. The game can also be heard on the Internet at www.scarletknights.com, the official athletics website of Rutgers University.
Satellite Radio: XM Channel 203
Student Radio: WRSU 88.7 FM
Internet: ScarletKnights.com (audio)
After playing the first two BIG EAST games of the year on the road, the Rutgers football team returns home to Piscataway Saturday in BIG EAST action vs. Connecticut. The Scarlet Knights host the Huskies at 12 noon with live national television coverage in HD on ESPNU. Dave Armstrong (play-by-play), Larry Coker (analyst) and Melissa Knowles (sidelines) will have the call.
The Rutgers Radio Network will begin its pregame coverage at 11 a.m. Chris Carlin (play-by-play), Tim Pernetti (analyst) and Anthony Fucilli (sidelines) will call the action.
Homecoming Streak
The Scarlet Knights are in search of their fifth consecutive victory on Homecoming Saturday when UConn visits. All-time, Rutgers is 49-25-1 on Homecoming. Under head coach Greg Schiano, Rutgers is 6-1 on Homecoming.
Schiano's Results on Homecoming at Rutgers
Date Opponent Result
9/15/07 Norfolk State W, 59-0
9/16/06 Ohio W, 24-7
10/29/05 Navy W, 31-21
10/16/04 Temple W, 16-6
10/18/03 Pittsburgh L, 42-32
9/14/02 Army W, 44-0
10/20/01 Navy W, 23-17
TV Time
For the 43rd consecutive game, Rutgers will appear on television this week vs. Connecticut on ESPNU. The Scarlet Knights have appeared on television in 54 of their last 55 games, including 33 straight games on some form of national television (including ESPN GamePlan PPV appearances).
Back-to-Back BIG EAST Road Games
Rutgers has allowed 37 points in its first two BIG EAST road games, the second-lowest total for the Scarlet Knights in BIG EAST play after two road games. Only the 2006 squad allowed fewer points after two road games - 30 points.
Defense Coming on Strong
In Rutgers' previous four games, the Scarlet Knight defense has allowed just 284.8 yards per game and 15 points per game.
| BRITT |
The Century Club
Junior WR Kenny Britt became Rutgers' all-time leader in career 100-yard receiving games with his eighth 100-yard game at West Virginia. Britt finished the contest with 151 yards on 12 catches. He entered the game tied with Tres Moses (2001-05) and Marco Battaglia (1992-95) for the top spot with seven career 100-yard receiving games.
Six of Britt's eight career 100-yard receiving games have come away from Piscataway.
Britt ranks eighth in the nation in receptions per game (7.4) and ranks 18th in the country in receiving yards per contest (92.8).
Britt's 100-yard receiving performances
Date Rec.-Yards-TD Opponent
10-13-07 6-176-1 at Syracuse
11-29-07 12-173-2 at Louisville
10-4-08 12-151-0 at West Virginia
1-5-08 6-125-1 vs. Ball State^
11-3-07 8-122-0 at Connecticut
9-15-07 4-121-2 vs. Norfolk State
12-2-06 10-119-0 at West Virginia
9-11-08 8-109-0 vs. North Carolina
^ in Toronto, Ontario (International Bowl)
Britt Continues Assault on Record Books
Kenny Britt is now fourth in school history with 2,136 career receiving yards. Britt owns the single-season school record with 1,232 receiving yards set in 2007. The Bayonne, N.J., native is seventh in Rutgers' career annals with 128 receptions.
Rutgers Career Receiving Yards Leaders
1. Tres Moses (2001-05) 2,522
2. Andrew Baker (1981-84) 2,268
3. Marco Battaglia (1992-95) 2,221
4. Kenny Britt (2006-present) 2,136
5. Jim Guarantano (1989-92) 2,065
6. Clark Harris (2003-06) 2,015
7. Chris Brantley (1990-93) 1,914
8. Brian Leonard (2003-06) 1,868
Rutgers Career Reception Leaders
1. Brian Leonard (2003-06) 207
2. Tres Moses (2001-05) 192
3. Marco Battaglia (1992-95) 171
4. Jim Guarantano (1989-92) 158
5. Chris Brantley (1990-93) 144
6. Clark Harris (2003-06) 143
7. Kenny Britt (2006-present) 128
8. Andrew Baker (1981-84) 127
9. Reggie Funderburk (1993-97) 123
10. LJ Smith (1999-2002) 122
Getting Defensive
Rutgers limited Morgan State to 109 yards of total offense on Sept. 27, the fewest yards ever allowed by a Rutgers squad under Greg Schiano. The Scarlet Knights limited the Bears to eight first downs and 32 yards rushing in the 38-0 victory.
It marked the third straight season RU has posted a shutout win.
Fewest Total Yards Allowed During Schiano Era
Date Opponent Total Yards Allowed
9/27/08 Morgan State* 109
9/16/06 Ohio 119
9/15/07 Norfolk State* 122
9/9/06 Illinois* 126
11/26/05 Cincinnati 146
11/9/07 at Army 152
10/14/06 at Navy* 161
12/28/06 Kansas State (Texas Bowl) 162
9/23/06 Howard 172
11/25/06 Syracuse 191
11/29/03 Syracuse 198
* Shutout victory
| YOUNG |
Welcome Back Kordell
Redshirt sophomore RB Kordell Young made his return from a torn ACL and earned the start at running back in the season-opener vs. Fresno State.
The West Deptford, N.J., native rushed for a career-high 94 yards on a career-high 26 carries in the season-opener vs. Fresno State.
He missed the next four games due to a sore knee before returning for the Cincinnati game.
Young started at UC and led all RU players with 78 yards rushing. He also threw the first touchdown pass of his career on a 17-yard TD pass to Jack Corcoran.
In two games this season, Young is averaging 86 yards per game.
Young, one of six starters from South Jersey on the roster, suffered his knee injury in the third game of the 2007 season vs. Norfolk State and was forced to miss the remainder of the year.
Sack the Quarterback
Rutgers sacked Cincinnati's Chazz Anderson a season-high four times Oct. 11 at Nippert Stadium. Jamaal Westerman, Ryan D'Imperio and Alex Silvestro each recorded a sack while Damaso Munoz and George Johnson shared a sack.
| FORST |
First Start for True Freshman Forst
True freshman RG Art Forst earned his first career start at Cincinnati. He was the first true freshman to start for the Scarlet Knights in 2008 and the first true freshman offensive lineman to start since Anthony Davis started against Ball State in the 2008 International Bowl last season. He is the third true freshman to start on the offensive line in the last five years. Former Scarlet Knight and current Tampa Bay Buccaneer Jeremy Zuttah started as a true freshman during the 2004 season.
Te Time
Redshirt freshman PK San San Te has connected on his last five field goal attempts after he drilled a career-long 50-yard field goal at Cincinnati Oct. 11. The North Carolina native is 5-for-7 on field goal attempts on the season.
| D'IMPERIO |
D'Imperio Manning the Middle
Junior MLB Ryan D'Imperio has manned the middle of the Rutgers' defense in 2008 and has been one of the team's top defenders. He ranks eighth in the BIG EAST with 7.0 tackles per game.
On the season, D'Imperio has 42 tackles, four for loss and one sack.
Rutgers Stadium Sold Out for 2008
For the second consecutive season, Rutgers is sold out for its entire home schedule. With the seven home games sold out for 2008, it moves Rutgers' consecutive sell-out streak at Rutgers Stadium to 17 games, the longest streak in the BIG EAST.
The most fans in school history - 349,306 - entered the gates at Rutgers Stadium in 2007. Rutgers averaged a school-record 43,663 fans per game in 2007.
| BROOKS |
The Freshman 100
Jourdan Brooks became the eighth freshman during Greg Schiano's tenure at Rutgers to rush for 100 yards in a game with his 134-yard performance at Navy.
Below is the list of freshmen who have eclipsed the 100-yard mark in a game under Schiano at Rutgers:
Player Att.-Yards-TD Opponent (Date)
Ray Rice 27-217-0 at UConn (10-22-05)
Ray Rice 24-195-2 Cincinnati (11-26-05)
Brian Leonard 33-184-2 at UConn (11-8-03)
Justise Hairston 31-161-4 vs. Navy (9-27-03)
Ray Rice 26-158-0 USF (11-5-05)
Brian Leonard 37-138-1 Syracuse (11-29-03)
Jourdan Brooks 22-134-2 at Navy (9-20-08)
Brian Leonard 16-132-1 at Army (9-13-03)
Markis Facyson 32-129-1 Army (9-14-02)
Justise Hairston 27-115-1 at WVU (10-11-03)
Ray Rice 15-114-0 Pittsburgh (9-30-05)
Ray Rice 20-108-0 Arizona St. (12-27-05)
Jason Nugent 26-106-1 at BC (11-30-02)
Marcus Jones 30-105-1 at WVU (11-3-01)
Clarence Pittman 31-104-0 at Tennessee (9-28-02)
Comparing First Starts at Running Back
With 134 yards at Navy, Jourdan Brooks is among elite company in Rutgers history for rushing yards by a player in their first career start.
Player Opponent Att.-Yards-TD
Terrell Willis at Army (10-16-93) 37-221-4
Jourdan Brooks at Navy (9-20-08) 22-134-2
"JJ" Jennings vs. Colgate (11-20-71) 21-108-3
Bruce Presley vs. West Virginia (11-14-92) 27-105-0
Kordell Young vs. Fresno State (9-1-08) 26-94-0
Mason Robinson vs. North Carolina (9-11-08) 16-82-0
Ray Rice at Illinois (9-3-05) 12-55-0
Brian Leonard vs. Buffalo (8-30-03) * 6-11-0
* started at fullback
Finding the End Zone
Jourdan Brooks scored a career-high three touchdowns against Morgan State. It was the most rushing touchdowns by a Rutgers freshman since Sept. 27, 2003, when Justise Hairston scored four touchdowns vs. Navy. Brooks scored all three of his touchdowns in the first half against the Bears.
| MALAST |
34 On the Tackle
Senior LB Kevin Malast has been as steady as they come in the BIG EAST at linebacker since becoming a starter in 2007. After finishing second on the team with 92 tackles as a junior, Malast leads RU and is tied for second in the BIG EAST in tackles in 2008. He has 46 tackles on the season and ranks second in the league with 7.7 tackles per game.
Malast led all players in the Fresno State game with nine tackles and has posted at least seven stops in four games this season. He recorded his first tackles for loss of 2008 at West Virginia with 2.5 against the Mountaineers.
Jamaal's Big Block
For the second time in his career senior DE Jamaal Westerman blocked a punt against Morgan State on Sept. 27. He recovered the blocked punt and rumbled 20 yards to set up a Rutgers touchdown six plays later in the contest. It marked the second block of the season for RU.
The week before, redshirt junior CB Devin McCourty blocked a punt against Navy.
Both blocked punts this season have led to Rutgers touchdowns on the ensuing possession.
| WESTERMAN |
Rutgers on ESPNU
Rutgers will play on ESPNU for the third time in school history Saturday vs. Connecticut. The Scarlet Knights are 1-1 all-time on ESPNU. Last season, Rutgers lost 38-19 at UConn on the network while the Scarlet Knights rolled past Syracuse 38-7 in 2006 on ESPNU.
Welcome to Rutgers
Here is the list of Scarlet Knights who have made their first career appearances this season:
Player Year Pos.
Marvin Booker Fr. LB (special teams)
Jourdan Brooks R-Fr. RB
Marcus Cooper Fr. WR
Teddy Dellaganna R-So. P (starter)
Art Forst Fr. RG (starter)
Patrick Kivlehan Fr. DB (special teams)
Al-Ghaffaar Lane R-Fr. LB (special teams)
Eric LeGrand Fr. DE
Joe Martinek R-Fr. RB
Marlon Romulus R-So. OL
David Rowe Fr. DB
Caleb Ruch R-Fr. RG (starter)
San San Te R-Fr. PK (starter)
Wayne Thomas R-Fr. DL (special teams)
Scott Vallone Fr. DL
Rutgers Stadium Expansion
The Board of Governors of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, approved a plan in January of 2008 to expand Rutgers Stadium.
The $102 million project, which will increase the stadium's seating capacity to 56,000, will be funded entirely by the revenue generated from ticket sales for the 14,000 new seats and from private donations. Rutgers students will continue to have access to football tickets free of charge.
The first phase of the project - a new mezzanine level with club seats and loge boxes - opened to rave reviews Sept. 1 at the Fresno State game.
Airing it Out
Senior QB Mike Teel set a school record with 20 touchdown passes in 2007. He also finished second in single-season school history with 3,147 yards passing.
Teel is the second player in Rutgers history with three consecutive 300-yard passing games. Ryan Hart (2002-05) holds the school record for consecutive 300-yard passing games with seven during the 2004 season.
Teel is second in Rutgers history with six, 300-yard passing games.
The senior from Oakland, N.J. is 22-13 as Rutgers' starting quarterback. He has started 32 consecutive games under center.
Spreading the Wealth
Mike Teel completed passes to seven different receivers in the Fresno State game. Teel completed passes to three wide receivers, one tight end, two running backs and a fullback.
The WR tandem of Kenny Britt and Tiquan Underwood combined for 12 receptions and 162 yards vs. the Bulldogs to lead the RU offense.
In the victory over Morgan State, Teel connected with six different receivers in the 38-0 win.
He has connected with nine different receivers overall this season.
| TVERDOV |
Tough Up the Middle
Senior captain and DT Pete Tverdov is one of the team's defensive anchors in 2008. He is tied for second in the BIG EAST in tackles for loss per game with 1.25 TFLs per contest. Tverdov has recorded a TFL in all five games he has played in this season.
Dating back to 2007, Tverdov has registered a TFL in eight straight games.
He started the season in strong fashion in the first game of the year vs. Fresno State. Tverdov was all over the field in the opener, finishing with seven tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, one QB hurry and a pass breakup.
Tverdov missed the Navy game with an ankle injury. He returned vs. Morgan State and totaled three tackles, including 1.5 behind the line of scrimmage.
Spanning Three Centuries
Rutgers Football, now in its 139th season, has played only three opponents in the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries. The three - Army, Navy and North Carolina - are all on the 2008 schedule.
Three Straight Bowls for Rutgers
For the first time in school history, the Scarlet Knights played in a bowl for the third consecutive season with their appearance in the 2008 International Bowl.
Rutgers won its second straight bowl - another first in school history - with a 52-30 victory over Ball State in the International Bowl.
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 seven seasons at the helm of the program, Schiano has guided Rutgers to three straight bowl games.
The Scarlet Knights are one of 34 teams to play in three consecutive bowls. Among BCS members, Rutgers is one of 25 schools to play in three straight bowl games and just one of three BIG EAST programs to play in three consecutive bowls (Rutgers, West Virginia, USF). All-time, Rutgers is 2-2 in postseason play.
Block Party
Junior CB Devin McCourty has been one of the team's top special teams standouts throughout his career. McCourty has blocked four career kicks, including the third punt block of his career vs. Navy on Sept. 20. All four of McCourty's blocked kicks have led to Rutgers touchdowns.
McCourty has also scored two touchdowns in his career on a pair of interception returns. He returned a pick 36 yards for a touchdown vs. Cincinnati in 2007 and returned an INT 38 yards for a score his freshman year in 2006 vs. Illinois.
| MARTINEK |
Joe Mart
Redshirt freshman Joe Martinek made the most of his first extensive action of his career Sept. 20 at Navy. Martinek recorded his first career rushing attempt, gaining seven yards on a 1st and 10 at the 12-yard line in the first quarter. One play later, he posted his first career touchdown on a five-yard rush with 5:22 to play in the first quarter.
Martinek finished with career-highs in attempts (8) and rushing yards (61) against the Midshipmen.
Martinek was the 2006 Gatorade New Jersey State Player of the Year and is the all-time leading rusher in New Jersey high school football history with 7,589 rushing yards and 80 touchdowns.
He finished his high school career as the No. 38 rusher in high school history with 7,589 rushing yards.
First Career Start for Bines
Junior DT Blair Bines started the spring at linebacker and moved to defensive tackle in preseason camp. Only three games into the season, Bines earned his first career start at DT for an injured Pete Tverdov.
One of the most versatile players on the roster, the New York native has also lined up at fullback this year for the Scarlet Knights.
| KITCHEN |
Comeback in the Kitchen
Junior SS Zaire Kitchen has been one of the best stories of the season for the Scarlet Knights. Kitchen has overcome three ACL surgeries during his career, including two at Rutgers, and has made it all the way back into the starting lineup Sept. 20 at Navy. In his first career start vs. the Mids, Kitchen tallied two tackles.
Kitchen played in nine games in 2007 before his season was cut short with a torn ACL against Pittsburgh. During his freshman campaign in 2006, Kitchen played in 11 games before an ACL injury ended his year prematurely.
In 26 career games, the hard-hitting Kitchen has 36 tackles. The Hightstown native also has one career interception, which secured the victory over No. 2 USF in 2007.
The 1,200 Club
Rutgers has played the most football games of any Football Bowl Subdivision school with 1,220 games played. All-time, Rutgers is 589-589-42.
Three other schools will join the exclusive list later this year. Navy will play its 1,200th college football game on Oct. 25 against SMU. Michigan will play its 1,200th game on Nov. 1 against Purdue, while Nebraska will play game number 1,200 against Colorado on Nov. 28.
Not in a Rush
Since Greg Schiano took over as defensive coordinator for the Scarlet Knights, Rutgers' defense has limited the opposition to less than 100 yards rushing 16 times, including three games with negative yards rushing.
Ten times during Schiano's tenure as defensive coordinator, the Rutgers defense has yielded less than 200 yards of total offense to an opponent.
The "Chop Shop"
A school-record crowd of 44,267 were in attendance as the Scarlet Knights upset No. 2 USF 30-27 last season The Scarlet Knights have posted the eight largest crowds in school history over the last two seasons.
Currently, the growing waiting list for season tickets is over 12,000 as the Scarlet Knights have played in front of 13 straight sellout crowds at Rutgers Stadium, the longest current streak in the BIG EAST.
Connecticut Connections
Rutgers has one player on its roster from Connecticut - freshman WR Marcus Cooper of Bloomfield. Cooper is second in Connecticut history with 3,014 career receiving yards.
Rutgers offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach John McNulty coached the wide receivers at UConn from 1995-97.
Special teams coordinator Chris Rippon is a 1982 graduate of Southern Connecticut State and coached in the Nutmeg State at Western Connecticut State as the head coach from 1987-90. He also served as an assistant at Western Connecticut State from 1982 until becoming head coach in 1987.
Wide receivers coach Kirk Ciarrocca was the quarterbacks coach at Western Connecticut State in 1992.
South Jersey Scarlet Knights
South Jersey has become a hot spot for Rutgers' recruiting in recent years as the Scarlet Knights have six starters from the southern part of the Garden State.
Below are six South Jersey standouts who are currently the starter or co-starter at their respective position:
Center - Ryan Blaszczyk (Medford Lakes)
Running Back - Kordell Young (West Deptford)
Fullback - Jack Corcoran (Atlantic City)
Defensive End - George Johnson (Glassboro)
Defensive Tackle - Alex Silvestro (Gibbstown)
Middle Linebacker - Ryan D'Imperio (Sewell)
| UNDERWOOD |
Off the Field Honors for Underwood
Due to his tremendous work and volunteer time away from the football field, Tiquan Underwood has been nominated for the 17th annual Allstate AFCA Good Works Team. Underwood has been heavily involved in Rutgers' community service programs, including volunteer work with Special Olympics New Jersey. He is just one of several Scarlet Knight football players who have offered their time.
Underwood has spent time speaking to children about the importance of education at several area local schools, including MacAfee Elementary School, Linwood Middle School, Notre Dame Elementary School, Franklin High School and Somerset Middle School.
On the field, Underwood was a First Team All-BIG EAST selection in 2007. He finished second in Rutgers history with 1,100 yards receiving and tied for third in the BIG EAST with 7.1 receptions per game.
Career Numbers vs. Connecticut
Below are select player career statistics vs. Connecticut:
Kenny Britt (10 rec., 183 yards)
8 rec. for 122 yards last year at UConn
Kevin Brock (6 rec., 63 yards)
All stats were recorded last season at UConn
Courtney Greene (26 tackles)
9 tackles in last game vs. Huskies
Kevin Malast (15 tackles)
12 tackles, including two for loss, last year at UConn
Devin McCourty (6 tackles, 1 interception, 2 PBU)
Jason McCourty (25 tackles)
Mike Teel (53-for-98, 642 yards in three games)
32-of-52 for career-high 343 yards last year
Tiquan Underwood (14 rec., 152 yards)
11 rec. for 114 yards in last season's game
Jamaal Westerman (9 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 1 blocked punt)
| TEEL |
Teel in the Record Books
Mike Teel has a chance to own Rutgers' all-time records for career passing yards and career touchdowns.
Career Passing Yards
1. Ryan Hart (2002-05) 8,482
2. Scott Erney (1986-89) 7,188
3. Mike Teel (2005-present) 7,135
Career Touchdowns
1. Ryan Hart (2002-05) 52
2. Ray Lucas (1992-95) 43
3. Scott Erney (1986-89) 41
Mike McMahon (1997-00) 41
5. Mike Teel (2005-present) 37
Career Attempts
1. Ryan Hart (2002-05) 1,217
2. Scott Erney (1986-89) 1,128
3. Mike McMahon (1997-00) 974
4. Mike Teel (2005-present) 930
Career Completions
1. Ryan Hart (2002-05) 735
2. Scott Erney (1986-89) 614
3. Mike Teel (2005-present) 520
Career Yards of Total Offense
1. Ryan Hart (2002-05) 8,149
2. Scott Erney (1986-89) 7,320
3. Mike Teel (2005-present) 6,976
Racking Up The Sacks
Senior DE Jamaal Westerman ranks fourth in school history in career sacks with 22.5. Westerman totaled 50 tackles and finished second on the squad with 14 tackles for loss in 2007. He led the team with eight sacks and posted 11 quarterback hurries.
Career Sacks
1. Nate Toran (1973-76) 52
2. Dan Gray (1975-77) 29
3. Dino Mangiero (1976-79) 26
4. Jamaal Westerman (2005-present) 22.5
| GREENE |
Consistent Courtney
Since he arrived on campus as a freshman in 2005, Courtney Greene has started at free safety for the Scarlet Knights. The New Rochelle, N.Y., native, has started 44 consecutive games and is sixth in Rutgers history with 339 career tackles.
Greene finished the West Virginia game with 13 tackles, including 11 solo and two assisted stops.
Greene registered his sixth career interception and first of the season when he picked off a pass in the second quarter vs. Morgan State which led to a TD on Rutgers' ensuing possession.
Career Tackles
1. Tyronne Stowe (1983-86) 533
2. Jim Dumont (1979-83) 448
3. Brian Sheridan (1993-97) 389
4. Pat Udovich (1986-89) 363
5. Aaron Brady (1995-98) 354
6. Courtney Greene (2005-present) 339
Best Three-Year Run in BIG EAST Play
Since the BIG EAST Football Conference was formed in 1991, Rutgers has enjoyed its best three-year stretch from 2005-07.
The Scarlet Knights won 12 conference games from 2005-07, equaling their total of 12 victories combined from 1993-2004.
Eight Wins "On the Banks"
Rutgers finished the 2007 season with an 8-5 record after the International Bowl victory vs. Ball State. For just the second time since 1980, the Scarlet Knights recorded an eight-win season. It was also the 12th time in 138 seasons of football at Rutgers the Scarlet Knights reached the eight-win plateau.
Atlantic City's Witherspoon Joins Team
Greg Schiano announced that Marcus Witherspoon has joined the Rutgers football program. Witherspoon is a product of Holy Spirit High School and played for head coach Bill Walsh. He led his squad to a 12-0 record and the Non-Public III state championship as a senior. Witherspoon totaled 319 tackles, 62 sacks, 16 forced fumbles and two fumbles recovered for touchdowns during his career.
Rutgers in the NFL
As of Oct. 12, 14 former Scarlet Knights are on NFL rosters, including the captains of the previous two Super Bowl winners - Shaun O'Hara with the New York Giants and Gary Brackett of the Indianapolis Colts.
Of the 14 players currently in the NFL from Rutgers, 13 were coached by Greg Schiano at Rutgers.
Player (Letters at RU) NFL Team
Gary Brackett (1999-02) Indianapolis
Last Game: Started at MLB; seven tackles vs. Ravens
Eric Foster (2003-07) Indianapolis
Last Game: Started at DT, one tackle vs. Ravens
Gary Gibson (2001-04) Carolina
Last Game: Played at DT vs. Bucs
Nate Jones (2000-03) Miami
Last Game: Appeared on special teams vs. Texans
Brian Leonard (2003-06) St. Louis
Last Game: Played, but did not record any statistics vs. Redskins
Ryan Neill (2001-02, 04-05) Buffalo
Last Game: Bye week
Shaun O'Hara (1997-99) N.Y. Giants
Last Game: Giants play tonight vs. Browns
Joe Porter (2003-06) Green Bay
Last Game: Member of the practice squad
Brandon Renkart (2003-07) N.Y. Jets
Last Game: Member of the practice squad
Ray Rice (2005-07) Baltimore
Last Game: 87 total yards vs. Colts; career-high seven receptions for 64 yards to lead Ravens
Derrick Roberson (2003-06) Houston
Last Game: Member of the practice squad
L.J. Smith (1999-02) Philadelphia
Last Game: Started at TE vs. 49ers; 2-yard TD rec.
Darnell Stapleton (2005-06) Pittsburgh
Last Game: Bye week
Jeremy Zuttah (2004-07) Tampa Bay
Last Game: Earned time at RG vs. Panthers
No. 3 Nationally in APR
The Rutgers football team was ranked No. 3 in the nation in the Academic Progress Rate according to the latest APR figures released by the NCAA. The Scarlet Knights have a four-year APR score of 977, which covers the academic years of 2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06 and 2006-07.
The top five Football Bowl Subdivision schools in terms of APR are Stanford (986), Navy (979), Rutgers (977), Duke (977) and Air Force (976). For the second consecutive year, Rutgers football has the best APR mark of any state university in the nation.
The Rutgers football team was one of only six Football Bowl Subdivision programs to be ranked in the top 10 percent in the APR scores. Rutgers is the lone state university on the list and the only institution to have its football team ranked in the top 10 percent of the APR and to have won a bowl game last season.
Top Five Football Bowl Subdivision APR Scores
1. Stanford (986)
2. Navy (979)
3. Rutgers (977)
Duke (977)
5. Air Force (976)
