Scarlet Knights Game Preview
Sep 15 | Football
RUTGERS (0-2) at NAVY (1-2)
Date: Saturday, Sept. 20 3:30 p.m.
Site: Annapolis, Md.
Stadium: Navy-Marine Corps Memorial
Series Record: Rutgers leads 11-10-1
Last Meeting: RU def. Navy, 41-24 (2007)
Television: The Rutgers at Navy game on Saturday, Sept. 20 (3:30 PM, ET) will be broadcast nationally on CBS College Sports Network. Play-by-play announcer Tom Hart and analyst Trev Alberts call the action.
CBS College Sports Network is available through the following cable operators in the New Jersey/New York Area:
For Comcast subscribers - Digital Sports Tier Channel 274
For Cablevision subscribers - Cablevision's iO Sports Pak Channel 412
CBS College Sports Network is also available nationally via satellite on Dish Network America's Top 200 Package - Channel 152 and DIRECTV's Premier Package and Sports Pack - Channel 613.
The game will also be available online for free via streaming video through Navy's official athletics website, http://navysports.com.
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.
Student Radio: WRSU 88.7 FM
Satellite Radio: Sirius Channel 119
Internet: ScarletKnights.com (audio)
Regional rivals faceoff this week in Annapolis, Md. as Rutgers travels south to face the Midshipmen of Navy on Saturday, Sept. 20. The Scarlet Knights (0-2) are in search of their first victory of the season and their fourth straight in the series vs. Navy (1-2).
CBS College Sports Network will broadcast the game in HD to a national audience. Tom Hart (play-by-play) and Trev Alberts (analyst) will have the call. Kickoff is set for 3:32 p.m.
Going for Four Straight
Rutgers will look to equal its longest win streak in series history vs. Navy with a victory Saturday in Annapolis. The longest winning streak for Rutgers in the series is four games - dating from 1969-1995.
The Scarlet Knights have won six of the last seven meetings vs. the Mids, including a 34-0 victory at Navy in 2006. The 2006 shutout win marked the last time Rutgers has blanked an opponent on the road.
Rutgers is also looking for its second straight victory in Annapolis. Only one other time in series history - 1998 and 2000 - the Scarlet Knights have been able to win consecutive games in Annapolis.
Rutgers-Navy Series History
Year Winning Team, Result Site
1891 Navy, 21-12 Annapolis, Md.
1892 Navy, 48-12 Annapolis, Md.
1896 Navy, 40-6 Annapolis, Md.
1897 Navy, 1-0 * Annapolis, Md.
1908 Navy, 18-0 Annapolis, Md.
1909 Navy, 12-3 Annapolis, Md.
1910 Tie, 0-0 Annapolis, Md.
1969 Rutgers, 20-6 Piscataway, N.J.
1976 Rutgers, 13-3 Annapolis, Md.
1992 Rutgers, 40-0 Annapolis, Md.
1995 Rutgers, 27-17 Piscataway, N.J.
1996 Navy, 10-7 Piscataway, N.J.
1997 Navy, 36-7 Annapolis, Md.
1998 Rutgers, 36-33 Annapolis, Md.
1999 Navy, 34-7 Piscataway, N.J.
2000 Rutgers, 28-21 Annapolis, Md.
2001 Rutgers, 23-17 Piscataway, N.J.
2003 Rutgers, 48-27 Piscataway, N.J.
2004 Navy, 54-21 Annapolis, Md.
2005 Rutgers, 31-21 Piscataway, N.J.
2006 Rutgers, 34-0 Annapolis, Md.
2007 Rutgers, 41-24 Piscataway, N.J.
Returning to the Old Line State
Rutgers has four players on its roster from the Old Line State - redshirt freshman RB Jourdan Brooks (Germantown, Md.), junior WR Andrew DePaola (Parkton, Md.), sophomore DB Joe Lefeged (Germantown, Md.) and freshman DB Wayne Warren (Salisbury, Md.).
Three of the four Maryland natives should see time vs. the Mids. Warren is recovering from a knee injury in high school and has yet to play in 2008 for the Scarlet Knights.
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.
TV Time
For the 39th consecutive game, Rutgers will appear on television this week at Navy. The Scarlet Knights have appeared on television in 50 of their last 51 games, including 29 straight games on some form of national television (including ESPN GamePlan PPV appearances).
The Century Club
Junior WR Kenny Britt tied the Rutgers career record with his seventh 100-yard receiving game Sept. 11 vs. North Carolina. Britt led RU with eight receptions for 109 yards.
He is tied for the top spot in RU history in 100-yard receiving games with Tres Moses (2001-05) and former All-America TE Marco Battaglia (1992-95).
Senior WR Tiquan Underwood is second in school history with six career 100-yard receiving games.
| BRITT |
Britt Continues Assault on Record Books
Kenny Britt is now seventh in school history with 1,870 yards receiving and needs just 130 yards to become only the sixth player in school history to record 2,000 yards receiving. Britt owns the single-season school record with 1,232 receiving yards set in 2007.
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. Jim Guarantano (1989-92) 2,065
5. Clark Harris (2003-06) 2,015
6. Chris Brantley (1990-93) 1,914
7. Kenny Britt (2006-present) 1,870
8. Brian Leonard (2003-06) 1,868
Te Time
Redshirt freshman PK San San Te connected on the first two field goals of his career Sept. 11 vs. North Carolina. Te booted a 34 and 32-yard field goal against the Tar Heels. The North Carolina native is 2-for-4 on field goal attempts on the season.
| D'IMPERIO |
South Jersey Stopper
Junior LB Ryan D'Imperio leads the BIG?EAST with 21 tackles. The South Jersey native totaled a career-high 13 tackles last time out vs. North Carolina.
In his first year as the full-time starter at middle linebacker, D'Imperio leads all BIG?EAST players with 14 assisted tackles.
D'Imperio broke his leg in the spring of 2007 and forced him to miss the start of the 2007 season. Now completely healthy, D'Imperio has been one of the leaders of the Scarlet Knight defense in 2008.
Racking Up The Tackles
The linebacking trio of senior Kevin Malast, Ryan D'Imperio and redshirt freshman Manny Abreu started together for the first time vs. Fresno State. The three players combined for 24 tackles as the unit has quickly developed into one of the defense's best position groups.
Malast led all players in the Fresno State game with nine tackles. D'Imperio, making his second career start in the opener, totaled eight stops.
Abreu made his first start for the Scarlet Knights and finished with seven tackles and half a sack.
Welcome to Rutgers
Jourdan Brooks made his debut in the Rutgers backfield Sept. 11 vs. North Carolina. The redshirt freshman performed well at running back, totaling seven carries for 42 yards (6.0 yards per carry average).
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)
Patrick Kivlehan Fr. DB
Eric LeGrand Fr. DE
Joe Martinek R-Fr. RB
David Rowe Fr. DB
Caleb Ruch R-Fr. RG (starter)
San San Te R-Fr. PK (starter)
Wayne Thomas R-Fr. DL
| 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 UNC game due to a knee injury.
Young also scored his first touchdown in the Fresno game since Oct. 14, 2006 against Navy. His 26 carries were also the second-highest total ever for a game for Young. He totaled 27 rushing attempts as a senior in high school in one 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.
Comparing First Starts at Running Back
Kordell Young's 94 yards rushing match up well compared to some of the top running backs in school history in their first career starts.
Player Opponent Att.-Yards-TD
Terrell Willis at Army (10-16-93) 37-221-4
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
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 21-10 as Rutgers' starting quarterback. He has started 28 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 Scarlet Knight offense.
| TVERDOV |
Tough Up the Middle
Senior captain and DT Pete Tverdov is expected to be one of the team's defensive anchors in 2008 and 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.
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.
Protecting the Quarterback
Under the direction of assistant head coach/offensive line coach Kyle Flood, Rutgers has allowed just 19 sacks since 2006 - the fewest amount in the nation. The Scarlet Knights led the Football Bowl Subdivision in fewest sacks allowed in 2006 with eight and followed with just 10 sacks yielded last season to tie for second nationally.
The Scarlet Knights return two starters on the offensive line. Sophomore Anthony Davis moves from right guard to left tackle and junior center Ryan Blaszczyk returns to man the middle of the Scarlet Knight offensive line.
Britt/Underwood Return as Nation's Second Leading WR Tandem
Kenny Britt and Tiquan Underwood return as the nation's second leading wide receiver tandem in 2008. Last season, the two players both went over the 1,000-yard mark in receiving. It marked just the 26th time in NCAA history and the first time in BIG EAST history two players from the same team had 1,000 yards receiving in the same season.
The pair also became the second and third players in Rutgers history to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards in a season. The first Scarlet Knight to achieve the feat was Tres Moses, who posted 1,056 yards in 2004.
The 1,232 yards receiving by Britt led the BIG EAST in 2007 and was the fifth-best total in single-season history by a BIG EAST player. Underwood ended the season second in RU history with 1,100 yards receiving.
Fresno State: 150th Opponent for Rutgers
Rutgers opened the season vs. Fresno State - the 150th opponent the Scarlet Knights played in school history. Below is a list of Rutgers' all-time opponents and the first year the teams played:
1. Princeton (1869)
2. Columbia (1870)
3. Yale (1873)
4. Stevens (1874)
5. College of the City of New York (1878)
6. Pennsylvania (1881)
7. Lafayette (1882)
8. Wesleyan (1883)
9. Lehigh (1884)
10. Vineland Athletic Club (1886)
11. Williams (1887)
12. Ridgefield Athletic Club (1888)
13. New York Athletic Club (1890)
14. Orange Athletic Club (1890)
15. Crescent Reserves Athletic Club (1890)
16. NYU (1890)
17. Manhattan Athletic Club (1890)
18. Athletic Club of the Schuykill Navy (1891)
19. Navy (1891)
20. Columbia Athletic Club (1891)
21. Army (1891)
22. New York Law School (1891)
23. Manhattan Athletic Club Cherry Diamonds (1891)
24. New Jersey Athletic Club (1894)
25. Crescent Athletic Club (1894)
26. North Carolina (1894)
27. Virginia (1894)
28. Franklin & Marshall (1894)
29. Roseville Athletic Club (1895)
30. Swarthmore (1895)
31. Elizabeth Athletic Club (1895)
32. Newark Field Club (1896)
33. Ursinus (1896)
34. Haverford (1896)
35. Irving Club (1896)
36. Union (1896)
37. Knickerbocker Athletic Club (1899)
38. Manhattan (1901)
39. Delaware (1901)
40. Fordham (1903)
41. Maryland University (Baltimore) (1904)
42. Trinity (1905)
43. Seton Hall (1905)
44. Villanova (1906)
45. Jefferson Medical (1907)
46. Hamilton (1908)
47. Muhlenberg (1908)
48. Penn Medical(1909)
49. St. Lawrence (1910)
50. Washington College (1910)
51. Rensselaer (1911)
52. Hobart (1912)
53. Tufts (1914)
54. Syracuse (1914)
55. Washington & Jefferson (1914)
56. Albright (1915)
57. Springfield (1915)
58. Hamilton Fish All-Stars (1915)
59. Washington & Lee (1916)
60. Brown (1916)
61. Holy Cross (1916)
62. West Virginia (1916)
63. Dickinson (1916)
64. Fort Wadsworth (1917)
65. League Island Marines (1917)
66. Newport Naval Reserves (1917)
67. Pelham Bay NTS (1918)
68. Hoboken Naval Training Station (1918)
69. Penn State (1918)
70. Great Lakes NTS(1918)
71. New York State Aggies (1919)
72. Boston College (1919)
73. Northwestern (1919)
74. Maryland (1920)
75. Virginia Tech (1920)
76. Cornell (1920)
77. Nebraska (1920)
78. Detroit University (1920)
79. Georgia Tech (1921)
80. Notre Dame (1921)
81. Pennsylvania Military College (1922)
82. Bethany (1922)
83. Louisiana State (1922)
84. Bucknell (1922)
85. Richmond (1923)
86. Boston University (1923)
87. Lebanon Valley (1924)
88. St. Bonaventure (1924)
89. Alfred (1925)
90. George Washington (1927)
91. St. John's of Annapolis (1928)
92. Catholic (1928)
93. Providence (1929)
94. John Hopkins (1930)
95. Drexel (1931)
96. Colgate (1933)
97. West Chester (1935)
98. Marietta (1935)
99. Ohio Wesleyan (1936)
100. Susquehanna (1937)
101. Hampden-Sydney (1937)
102. Ohio University (1937)
103. Vermont (1938)
104. Wooster (1939)
105. New Hampshire (1939)
106. Connecticut (1940)
107. Fort Monmouth (1941)
108. Brooklyn College (1943)
109. Army Specialized Training Program (1944) (military team at Rutgers)
110). Rhode Island (1945)
111. Harvard (1946)
112. Western Reserve (1947)
113. Temple (1948)
114. U.S. Merchant Marine Acad. (1949)
115. Dartmouth (1952)
116. William & Mary (1954)
117. Quantico Marines (1958)
118. Massachusetts (1967)
119. Morgan State (1971)
120. Air Force (1973)
121. Tampa (1973)
122. Hawaii (1974)
123. Louisville (1976)
124. Tulane (1976)
125. Arizona State (1978)
126. Tennessee (1979)
127. Cincinnati (1980)
128. Alabama (1980)
129. Pittsburgh (1981)
130. Auburn (1982)
131. Kentucky (1984)
132. Florida (1985)
133. Duke (1987)
134. Vanderbilt (1987)
135. Michigan State (1988)
136. Ball State (1989)
137. Akron (1990)
138. Maine (1991)
139. Miami (1993)
140. Kent State (1994)
141. Texas (1997)
142. Wake Forest (1997)
143. California (1999)
144. Buffalo (2000)
145. Illinois (2005)
146. South Florida (2005)
147. Howard (2006)
148. Kansas State (2006)
149. Norfolk State (2007)
150. Fresno State (2008)
The 1,200 Club
Rutgers has played the most football games of any Football Bowl Subdivision school with 1,216 games played. All-time, Rutgers is 588-586-42.
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 14 times, including three games with negative yards rushing.
Nine 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 12 straight sell-out crowds at Rutgers Stadium, the longest current streak in the BIG?EAST.
Top Crowds in Rutgers Stadium History
1. RU 30, #2 USF 27 (10/18/07) 44,267
2. #14 RU 28, #3 Louisville 25 (11/9/06) 44,111
3. Maryland 34, #10 RU 24 (9/29/07) 43,803
4. #15 RU 38, Syracuse 7 (11/25/06) 43,791
5. #20 Cincinnati 28, #21 RU 23 (10/6/07) 43,768
6. #6 WVU 31, #25 RU 3 (10-/27/07) 43,620
7. #13 RU 59, Norfolk State 0 (9/15/07) 43,712
8. RU 20, Pitt 16 (11/17/07) 43,531
9. #15 RU 44, Navy 21 (9/7/07) 43,514
10. #16 RU 38, Buffalo 3 (8/30/07) 43,091
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 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.
Watch Out!
Once again in 2008, several members of the Rutgers Football team are among the nation's elite at their respective position.
Bednarik Award Watch List
Courtney Greene, DB
Jamaal Westerman, DE
Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List
Courtney Greene, DB
Davey O'Brien Award Watch List
Mike Teel, QB
Jim Thorpe Award Watch List
Courtney Greene, DB
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Watch List
Mike Teel, QB
Maxwell Award Watch List
Kenny Britt, WR
Tiquan Underwood, WR
Outland Trophy Watch List
Anthony Davis, OT
Rimington Trophy Watch List
Ryan Blaszczyk, C
Ted Hendricks Award Watch List
Jamaal Westerman, DE
| TEEL |
Teel in the Record Books
Mike Teel has a chance to own Rutgers' all-time records for career passing yards and career touchdowns entering the 2008 season.
Career Passing Yards
1. Ryan Hart (2002-05) 8,482
2. Scott Erney (1986-89) 7,188
3. Mike McMahon (1997-00) 6,608
4. Mike Teel (2005-present) 6,471
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) 35
Career Attempts
1. Ryan Hart (2002-05) 1,217
2. Scott Erney (1986-89) 1,128
3. Mike McMahon (1997-00) 974
4. Ray Lucas (1992-95) 908
5. Mike Teel (2005-present) 825
Career Completions
1. Ryan Hart (2002-05) 735
2. Scott Erney (1986-89) 614
3. Ray Lucas (1992-95) 514
4. Mike McMahon (1997-00) 482
5. Mike Teel (2005-present) 463
| 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 40 consecutive games and ranks seventh in Rutgers history with 314 career tackles.
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. Keith Woetzel (1980-82) 323
7. Courtney Greene (2005-present) 314
| WESTERMAN |
Racking Up The Sacks
Senior DE Jamaal Westerman ranks fourth in school history in career sacks with 21.5. 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) 21.5
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 have won 12 conference games over the last three seasons, 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.
Rutgers in the NFL
As of Sept. 11, 15 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 15 players currently in the NFL from Rutgers, 14 were coached by Greg Schiano at Rutgers.
Player (Letters at RU) NFL Team
Gary Brackett (1999-02) Indianapolis
Last Game:?Started at MLB; Led team with 9 tackles
Eric Foster (2003-07) Indianapolis
Last Game:?First career start vs. Vikings; 2 tackles
Gary Gibson (2001-04) Carolina
Last Game:?Played vs. Bears; 1 tackle at DT
Nate Jones (2000-03) Miami
Last Game:?Played vs. Cardinals at CB and on ST
Brian Leonard (2003-06) St. Louis
Last Game:?Inactive vs. Giants (injury)
Ryan Neill (2001-02, 04-05) Buffalo
Last Game:?Handled LS duties vs. Jacksonville
Shaun O'Hara (1997-99) N.Y. Giants
Last Game:?Started at C vs. Rams
J'Vonne Parker (2004) Baltimore
Last Game:?Member of the practice squad
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:?Ravens were idle; Started opener at RB
Derrick Roberson (2003-06) Houston
Last Game:?Member of the practice squad
L.J. Smith (1999-02) Philadelphia
Last Game:?Plays Monday night vs. Dallas
Darnell Stapleton (2005-06) Pittsburgh
Last Game:?Played vs. Browns in OL
Jeremy Zuttah (2004-07) Tampa Bay
Last Game:?Started at RG vs. Falcons
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.
The APR provides a real-time look at a team's academic success each semester by tracking the academic progress of each student-athlete. The APR includes eligibility, retention, and graduation in the calculation and provides a clear picture of the academic culture in each sport.
Top Five Football Bowl Subdivision APR Scores
1. Stanford (986)
2. Navy (979)
3. Rutgers (977)
Duke (977)
5. Air Force (976)
Watts Out for the Season
Senior DE Gary Watts will miss the remainder of the 2008 season with a knee injury. A native of Miami, Fla., Watts will apply for a medical redshirt this season and have the opportunity to complete his career in 2009.
Atlantic City's Witherspoon Joins Team
Greg Schiano announced Monday that Marcus Witherspoon (Atlantic City, N.J.) 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.
Here are some additional notes on Witherspoon:
Led the state of New Jersey with 27 sacks and registered 125 solo tackles as a senior ??? also forced four fumbles and returned two for touchdowns as a senior ??? posted 90 tackles, 18 sacks and intercepted five passes as a junior ??? Associated Press First Team All-State selection on the defensive line as a senior in 2007 ??? Star-Ledger All-State honoree PrepStar Magazine All-American and the publication's 135th-best prospect nationally ??? four-star prospect and the nation's No. 20 outside linebacker prospect by Rivals.com ??? rated as the fifth-best player in the state of New Jersey according to Rivals.com ??? four-star prospect and the No. 14 weakside linebacker in the country by Scout. com ??? named the No. 23 outside linebacker in the country by ESPN.com ??? listed as a top-300 prospect nationally by Tom Lemming.
