Scarlet Knights Game Preview - St. Petersburg Bowl
Dec 14 | Football
RUTGERS (8-4, 3-4 BIG EAST) vs. UCF (8-4, 6-2 C-USA)
Saturday, December 19 8:00 p.m.
Tropicana Field St. Petersburg, Fla.
Television: ESPN Mark Jones- Play-by-Play, Bob Davie- Color Analyst, Rob Stone - Sideline Reporter
Internet: ESPN360.com
Radio: Rutgers Football Radio Network
Affiliates: WOR 710-AM (New York City); WCTC 1450-AM (Central Jersey); 97.5 FM "The Fanatic" (Philadelphia and South Jersey)
Student Radio: WRSU 88.7 FM
Satellite Radio: Sirius/XM
National Radio: ESPN Radio
For the first time in school history, Rutgers will appear in a bowl game for the fifth-consecutive season as the Scarlet Knights will play in the St. Petersburg Bowl on December 19 against UCF of Conference USA. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. at Tropicana Field.
Mark Jones, Bob Davie and Rob Stone have the call of the St. Petersburg Bowl on ESPN. The game marks Rutgers' seventh appearance on ESPN or ESPN2 in 2009.
The Scarlet Knights are just one of nine teams from a BCS conference to win a bowl game in each of the previous three seasons. In total, Rutgers is one of 30 teams nationally to play in five consecutive bowls, including one of 23 teams from a BCS conference to appear in five straight bowl games.
Rutgers and UCF will meet for the first time in the St. Petersburg Bowl. The game versus UCF marks the second Conference USA opponent Rutgers will face on the gridiron. Rutgers has also played C-USA member Tulane four times in school history.
Rutgers Bowl History
2008 PapaJohns.com Bowl (Birmingham, Ala.)
Rutgers 29, NC State 23 12/29/08
2008 International Bowl (Toronto, Ontario)
Rutgers 52, Ball State 30 1/5/08
2006 Texas Bowl (Houston, Texas)
Rutgers 37, Kansas State 10 12/28/06
2005 Insight Bowl (Phoenix, Ariz.)
Arizona State 45, Rutgers 40 12/27/05
1978 Garden State Bowl (East Rutherford, N.J.)
Arizona State 34, Rutgers 18 12/6/78
Chance for Nine-Win Season
Rutgers has a chance to record just the sixth nine-win season in school history with a victory versus UCF in the St. Petersburg Bowl. In 140 years of football at Rutgers, the Scarlet Knights have won at least nine games in a season five times, including two undefeated seasons (1961 and 1976).
Nine-Win Seasons "On the Banks"
Season Record
2006 11-2
1978 9-3
1976 11-0
1975 9-2
1961 9-0
Four Consecutive Eight-Win Campaigns
Rutgers has won at least eight games in each of the last four seasons for just the second time in 140 years of football.
The only other time in school history Rutgers won at least eight games in a season in four consecutive years was 1975-1979, when the Scarlet Knights posted five straight eight-win seasons.
Thanks for the Memories
The 2009 senior class (RB Alan Ajamian, DB Billy Anderson, DT Blair Bines, C Ryan Blaszczyk, DB Pat Brown, WR Tim Brown, FB Jack Corcoran, LB Ryan D'Imperio, LS/WR Andrew DePaola, DL Remo Fioranelli, WR Ryan Gluekert, OL Kevin Haslam, DE George Johnson, LB Stephante Kent, DB Zaire Kitchen, QB Jabu Lovelace, DB Devin McCourty, TE Jeff Minemyer, FB Andres Morales, LB Damaso Munoz, QB Domenic Natale, DB Ramy Nubani) is tied for the third-most victories for a senior class in school history with 35. With one more victory, the 2009 senior class can finish tied for second in school history with 36 victories over a four-year span.
The 22 seniors have the opportunity to become the first class in school history to win a bowl game in four consecutive seasons and the fifth-year seniors have the chance to become the first senior class at Rutgers to reach five straight bowls.
Senior Class Win Totals
1. 1978 - 37, 1 bowl appearance
2. 1979 - 36
3. 2009 - 35, 4 bowl appearances
3. 1977 - 35
4. 2008 - 34, 3 bowl appearances
5. 1976 - 33
Bowling in a Baseball Stadium
For the third time in five years, Rutgers will play a bowl game in a baseball stadium. The Scarlet Knights played the 2005 Insight Bowl at Chase Field in Phoenix, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
In the 2008 International Bowl, Rutgers defeated Ball State 52-30 at the Rogers Centre, home of the Toronto Blue Jays.
The tour of American League ballparks continues this bowl season at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg.
Returning to the Sunshine State
Since his arrival at Rutgers, head coach Greg Schiano has made Florida a key recruiting area for the Scarlet Knights. Rutgers has 11 Florida natives on the roster, including four starters.
On the current depth chart, the following Florida natives are listed as starters:
• WR Tim Brown - Miami
• LB Antonio Lowery - Miami
• LB Damaso Munoz - Miami
• CB David Rowe - Cocoa
On the current depth chart, the following Floridians are also listed second at their respective positions:
• TE D.C. Jefferson - Winter Haven
• DE Jonathan Freeny - Tampa
• DE Justin Francis - Opa-Locka
Protecting the Pigskin
Rutgers is +28 in turnover differential over its last 19 games (15-4). The Scarlet Knights have gained 32 turnovers this season, including at least one in 11 of the 12 games.
Rutgers leads the nation in turnover differential (1.67).
In 2009, Rutgers is +20 in turnover differential (32 turnovers, 12 giveaways).
Over the last 19 games, Rutgers has gained a total of 49 turnovers.
15-4
Rutgers has won 15 of its last 19 games, dating back to the 2008 season. The Scarlet Knights are 7-1 on the road during the streak.
Over the last 19 games, Rutgers has held nine opponents to under 300 yards of total offense, including a low of 126 yards of total offense vs. Texas Southern. The Scarlet Knights held USF to seven first downs and shutout the Bulls for the first time in the school's regular-season history. The seven first downs for USF were also a single-game low for the Bulls.
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
1946-55 120
Greg Schiano 54-55 2001- 109
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 39-20 in his last 59 games, including five 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- 6-3 3-3
Total 54-55 23-39
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 and USF 31-0.
Rutgers - (2006: Illinois and Navy; 2007: Norfolk State; 2008: Morgan State; 2009: Texas Southern, USF)
Boise State - (2006: Sacramento State; 2007: New Mexico State and Utah State; 2008: New Mexico State; 2009: Miami, Ohio)
The Turnover Story
Rutgers has turned the ball over just 12 times through 12 games in 2009. During Greg Schiano's nine-year tenure, the 12 turnovers are the fewest amount for Rutgers through 12 games.
Defensively, the Scarlet Knights have gained 32 turnovers through 12 games. The 32 turnovers rank as the second-highest season total under Schiano.
Turnovers During the Schiano Era
Year Season Total Through 12 Games
2009 - 12
2008 20 19
2007 25 24
2006 20 20
2005 23 23
2004 35 35
2003 29 29
2002 38 38
2001 42 42
Turnovers Recovered During the Schiano Era
Year Season Total Through 12 Games
2009 - 32
2008 21 17
2007 19 18
2006 31 28
2005 20 20
2004 28 28
2003 23 23
2002 25 25
2001 20 20
A Continuing Trend
Rutgers is on track to allow under four yards per rush for the fourth time in five seasons. While one game remains in the season, Rutgers' opponents have averaged just 3.2 yards per rush on 411 attempts through 12 games.
Against the Run Under Schiano
Year Attempts Yards Yards Per Carry
2009 411 1,753 3.2
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
National Leader in Turnover Margin
Rutgers leads the nation in turnover margin (+1.67) per game. The Scarlet Knights have recovered 19 fumbles and intercepted 13 passes in 2009. The 19 fumbles recovered lead the nation. Senior LB Damaso Munoz and junior DE Alex Silvestro are tied for the national lead with four fumble recoveries.
NCAA Turnover Margin Leaders
Team Fumbles Recovered Int. Gained Total Turnover Margin
1. Rutgers 19 13 32 1.67
2. Boise State 11 21 32 1.46
3. Air Force 14 14 28 1.42
4. Ohio State 10 23 33 1.33
5. Alabama 6 20 26 1.23
| BROWN |
Downtown to Brown
Tim Brown is one of the nation's top wide receivers in 2009. The Miami native is 19th nationally with 87.6 receiving yards per game. He is the only player in the nation to rank in the top 20 nationally in receiving yards per game and average over 20 yards per reception (20.6).
Brown is averaging a staggering 41.9 yards per touchdown reception in 2009 over his eight scoring plays. For his career, Brown's 19 career touchdowns have averaged 40.6 yards per reception.
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 51 receptions for 1,051 yards in 2009. Brown also leads RU in yards per reception (20.6), receiving yards per game (87.6) and touchdown receptions (8).
Brown became just the fourth player in school history to record 1,000 yards receiving in a season in the win over Louisville. Brown joined Kenny Britt (2007, 2008), Tiquan Underwood (2007) and Tres Moses (2004) as the only players to reach the 1,000-yard receiving plateau in a season at Rutgers.
Tim Brown Year-by-Year
Year GP Rec. Yards Avg. TD YPG
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 12 51 1,051 20.6 8 95.5
Touchdown Brown
Tim Brown has caught the most touchdown passes in school history with 19. He is also fifth in RU history with 2,158 career receiving yards.
Three of Brown's 19 career touchdown receptions have come in bowl games, including the first two touchdowns of the game in the 2006 Texas Bowl vs. Kansas State.
Labeled the "most dangerous deep threat in the BIG'?EAST" by Lindy's, Brown is second in school history with nine career 100-yard receiving games.
In 2009, 42 of Brown's 51 receptions have resulted in a first down or touchdown. On third downs, 20 of his 25 receptions have moved the chains.
Rutgers Career 100-Yard Receiving Game Leaders
1. Kenny Britt (2006-08) 14
2. Tim Brown (2006-present) 9
3. Tres Moses (2001-05) 7
3. Marco Battaglia (1992-95) 7
5. Tiquan Underwood (2005-08) 6
Rutgers Career Receiving Yardage Leaders
1. Kenny Britt (2006-08) 3,043
2. Tres Moses (2001-05) 2,522
3. Andrew Baker (1981-84) 2,268
4. Marco Battaglia (1992-95) 2,221
5. Tim Brown (2006-present) 2,158
6. Jim Guarantano (1989-92) 2,065
7. Clark Harris (2003-06) 2,015
8. Tiquan Underwood (2005-08) 1,931
Rutgers Career Receiving Touchdown Leaders
1. Tim Brown (2006-present) 19
2. Kenny Britt (2006-08) 17
2. Chris Brantley (1990-93) 17
4. Marco Battaglia (1992-95) 16
4. Tiquan Underwood (2005-08) 16
4. Marco Battaglia (1992-95) 16
| SAVAGE |
Savage Among True Freshmen QB Leaders
Tom Savage is one of nine true freshman QBs to serve as the primary starter in the Football Bowl Subdivision. He leads all true freshmen quarterbacks nationally in touchdown-to-interception ratio.
Savage also ranks third nationally among true freshmen quarterbacks in touchdown passes (12) and fourth nationally among true freshmen quarterbacks in passing yards (1,917).
Savage is also Rutgers' single-season record holder for a true freshman QB in the following categories:
• Winning percentage as a starter: 7-3 (.700)
• Wins as a starter: 7
• Wins as a starter in BIG EAST play: 3
• Touchdown passes: 12
• Passing Yards: 1,917
• Completion Percentage: 52.3%
• Completions: 135
• Fewest Interceptions: 6
2009 True freshman QB starters (sorted by passing yards)
1. Matt Barkley - Southern California
GP C-A-I Pct. Yards TD Long Avg./G
11 184-315-12 58.4 2,385 13 75 216.8
2. Spencer Keith - Kent State
GP C-A-I Pct. Yards TD Long Avg./G
10 168-294-11 57.1 2,147 14 58 214.7
3. Nick Florence - Baylor
GP C-A-I Pct. Yards TD Long Avg./G
9 165-266-9 62.0 1,786 6 59 198.4
4. Tom Savage - Rutgers
GP C-A-I Pct. Yards TD Long Avg./G
11 135-258-6 52.3 1,917 12 81 174.3
5. Tate Forcier - Michigan
GP C-A-I Pct. Yards TD Long Avg./G
12 165-281-10 58.7 2,050 13 76 170.8
6. Patrick Nicely - Akron
GP C-A-I Pct. Yards TD Long Avg./G
8 120-222-6 54.1 1,349 6 59 168.6
7. Austyn Carta-Samuels - Wyoming
GP C-A-I Pct. Yards TD Long Avg./G
12 174-295-4 59.0 1,752 7 54 146.0
8. Jeff Tuel - Washington State
GP C-A-I Pct. Yards TD Long Avg./G
6 71-121-5 58.7 789 6 99 131.5
9. Trent Steelman - Army
GP C-A-I Pct. Yards TD Long Avg./G
11 47-90-1 52.2 560 3 34 50.9
BIG EAST's Best True Freshman QB
Tom Savage has set the BIG EAST single-season record for passing yards by a true freshman quarterback with 1,917 in 2009. Savage has also thrown the most touchdown passes by a true freshman signal caller in BIG EAST history with 12.
BIG EAST True Freshman Passing Yardage Leaders
1. Tom Savage, Rutgers (2009) 1,917
2. Pat Bostick, Pittsburgh (2007) 1,500
3. Ryan Cubit, Rutgers (2001) 1,433
4. Mike McMahon, Rutgers (1997) 1,259
BIG EAST True Freshman Passing TD Leaders
1. Tom Savage, Rutgers (2009) 12
2. Ryan Cubit, Rutgers (2001) 9
3. Pat Bostick, Pittsburgh (2007) 8
4. Mike McMahon, Rutgers (1997) 6
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.
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.
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 of five players who have earned time at quarterback as true freshmen for the Scarlet Knights. Savage is 7-3 as a starter, the most victories 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 7-3 3-3
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.
| 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 (47) and receiving yards (542). He has three 100-yard receiving games this season, including 105 on six receptions in his last game vs. West Virginia.
Finding the End Zone Three Ways
Mohamed Sanu is the first Scarlet Knight since Bruce Pressley in 1993 to throw a touchdown, catch a touchdown pass and rush for a touchdown in the same season. Sanu has rushed for three touchdowns, thrown for one and caught two touchdowns.
Sanu Can Do
Mohamed Sanu was nearly unstoppable in the wildcat formation in Rutgers' 34-14 victory at Louisville. The South Brunswick native rushed 18 times for a career-high 148 yards and two touchdowns to lead RU to the win.
Balanced Ground Attack
Rutgers has five players on the 2009 roster with 100-yard games in their career, including four different 100-yard rushers this season.
The four different 100-yard rushers are the most in one season under Greg Schiano at Rutgers.
Mohamed Sanu, Joe Martinek, Jourdan Brooks, De'Antwan Williams and Kordell Young have each posted 100-yard games during their career. Sanu, Martinek, Brooks and Williams have surpassed the century mark this season.
Rutgers is 6-0 this season when a player rushes for 100 yards in a game.
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
Joe Martinek at Army ('09) 25-147-2
Joe Martinek #23 USF ('09) 25-128-1
Mohamed Sanu at Louisville ('09) 18-148-2
De'Antwan Williams Texas So. ('09) 19-132-1
Kordell Young Syracuse ('08) 29-143-1
| MARTINEK |
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, along with two touchdowns in the 34-13 victory over Maryland.
Martinek continued his fourth quarter heroics with nine rushes for 82 yards and a touchdown at Army en route to 147 yards in the Rutgers win.
"Jersey Joe" in the Fourth Quarter (2009)
Opponent Att.-Yards-TD Avg. Per Carry
#24 West Virginia 1-2-0 2.0
at Louisville 9-13-0 1.4
at Syracuse 3-18-0 6.0
#23 USF 8-56-1 7.0
at Connecticut 3-5--0 1.7
at Army 9-79-1 8.8
Pittsburgh 1-5-0 5.0
Texas Southern Did not play in fourth quarter
at Maryland 10-130-2 13.0
Florida International 6-32-0 5.3
Howard Did not play in fourth quarter
Cincinnati 1-1-0 1.0
Totals 51-341-4 6.7
Rutgers in the NFL
Rutgers has 21 former players currently on NFL rosters. Six members of the 2008 Rutgers team are currently on active rosters. Five members of the 2008 squad were selected in the NFL Draft, the most for Rutgers in a single draft.
Scarlet Knights in the NFL
Gary Brackett, LB Indianapolis Colts
Kenny Britt, WR Tennessee Titans
Eric Foster, DT Indianapolis Colts
Gary Gibson, DT St. Louis Rams
Courtney Greene, DB Jacksonville Jaguars
Clark Harris, TE/LS Cincinnati Bengals
Nate Jones, DB Miami Dolphins
Brian Leonard, RB Cincinnati Bengals
Jason McCourty, DB Tennessee Titans
Shaun O'Hara, C New York Giants
J'Vonne Parker, DT Denver Broncos
Brandon Renkart, LB Arizona Cardinals
Ray Rice, RB Baltimore Ravens
Derrick Roberson, DB Tampa Bay Buccaneers
L.J. Smith, TE Baltimore Ravens
Darnell Stapleton, OL Pittsburgh Steelers
Cameron Stephenson, OL Jacksonville Jaguars
Mike Teel, QB Seattle Seahawks
Tiquan Underwood, WR Jacksonville Jaguars
Jamaal Westerman, LB New York Jets
Jeremy Zuttah, OL Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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.)
| McCOURTY |
The Complete Player
Devin McCourty is one of the nation's premier cornerbacks and one of - if not the best - special team's standouts nationally. McCourty is one of two players in the country to block a punt and return a kickoff for a touchdown in 2009.
He has blocked seven career kicks and scored three touchdowns (two interception returns and one kickoff return). In 2009, McCourty has blocked three kicks, which ranks second nationally.
At cornerback, he leads Rutgers with 78 tackles. For his career, he has 236 tackles, 27 pass breakups and six interceptions.
In the win over Connecticut, McCourty played a staggering 111 plays. McCourty was at cornerback for all 86 plays. He logged 25 plays on special teams, where he's part of the punt coverage, punt return, kickoff coverage and kickoff return teams. Highlighting the afternoon was a 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
Succeeding in the Classroom and on the Gridiron
In the most recent NCAA report in May, the Rutgers football team tied for third in the nation with an Academic Progress Rate score of 980 - the highest mark of any state university nationally. Rutgers is the only institution in the nation to have its football team ranked in the top 10 percent of the APR and win a bowl game in each of the last three seasons.
NCAA Football Academic Progress Rate Leaders
1. Stanford 984
2. Air Force 983
3. Rutgers 980
3. Duke 980
5. Rice 979
