Scarlet Knights Game Preview - Pittsburgh
Oct 18 | Football
RUTGERS (4-2, 1-0 
) at PITTSBURGH (3-3, 1-0)
Saturday, October 23 • 12:00 p.m.
BIG EAST Network (SNY, WPVI-DT2, ESPN GamePlan PPV, ESPN3.com)
Heinz Field (65,050)
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Pittsburgh leads 20-7
TV: BIG EAST Network (SNY, WPVI-DT2)
Internet Broadcast: ESPN3.com Mike Gleason (play-by-play) John Congemi (color) Eamon McAnaney (sideline)
Radio: Rutgers Radio Network
WOR-710 AM (New York City)
ESPN 950-AM (Philadelphia)
WCTC-1450 AM (New Brunswick)
Chris Carlin (play-by-play), Ray Lucas (color), Anthony Fucilli (sideline)
Satellite Radio: Sirius 157
The Game
Rutgers resumes BIG EAST play Saturday in the Steel City as the Scarlet Knights visit Pittsburgh for a 12 noon game at Heinz Field. The Scarlet Knights look to capture their third straight victory at Pitt, which would be a first in school history.
Mike Gleason (play-by-play), John Congemi (color) and Eamon McAnaney (sideline) are the game announcers on the BIG EAST Network Game of the Week. ESPN Regional will produce the game in HD, which will air locally on SNY and WPVI-DT2 Live Well Network in Philadelphia and South Jersey.
The Rutgers Radio Network begins pre-game coverage at 11 a.m. as Chris Carlin calls the action with former Rutgers QB Ray Lucas (color analyst) and Anthony Fucilli (sideline). The Rutgers Radio Network includes WOR-710 AM in New York City, WCTC-1450 AM in Central Jersey and 950 AM ESPN Radio in Philadelphia and South Jersey.
The Rutgers Radio Network feed is available nationally on Sirius Satellite Radio (channel 157). In addition, WRSU has complete coverage of the game on 88.7 FM in New Brunswick.
Head Coach Greg Schiano
Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano (Bucknell '88) is in his 10th season with the Scarlet Knights. Schiano will be just the fourth coach in BIG EAST history to coach 10 seasons at the same school, joining Paul Pasqualoni (Syracuse, 14 years), Frank Beamer (Virginia Tech, 13 years) and Don Nehlen (West Virginia, 10 years). Schiano passed former Boston College head coach Tom O'Brien earlier in the season as the fifth-winningest coach all-time in victories in the BIG EAST (59-57).
Schiano will tie former West Virginia head coach Rich Rodriguez for fourth place in BIG EAST history in coaching victories with one more victory.
The 2006 National and BIG EAST Coach of the Year, Schiano has guided Rutgers to a school-record five consecutive bowl appearances, including four straight bowl victories. Rutgers is just one of four schools in the nation to win four consecutive bowl games.
Rankings
Rutgers and Pittsburgh are not ranked in the Associated Press and USA Today Coaches Top 25 polls.
Pittsburgh Series
Rutgers trails the all-time series 20-7 against Pittsburgh, but the Scarlet Knights have held the upper hand in recent years, winning four of the last five meetings vs. the Panthers. Rutgers has been victorious in each of its last two visits to Heinz Field, with a 20-10 victory in 2006 and a 54-34 win over the 17th ranked Panthers in 2008. Last season, Pitt captured a 24-17 victory over the Scarlet Knights to snap Rutgers' four-game winning streak in the series on Oct. 16, 2009.
In the last game at Pitt, Rutgers QB Mike Teel had a breakout performance, going 14-of-21 for 361 yards and six touchdowns. Kordell Young rushed for 83 yards on 20 carries, including a pair of touchdowns, while Joe Lefeged tallied seven tackles, a sack, forced fumble and a pass breakup in the 20-point victory.
Greg Schiano is 4-5 all-time vs. Pitt.
Up Next
Rutgers visits the Sunshine State in a BIG EAST matchup at USF on Wednesday, Nov. 3 on ESPN2.
LeGrand Injured in Army Victory
Rutgers junior defensive tackle Eric LeGrand suffered a spinal cord injury in the fourth quarter of Saturday's game vs. Army. The injury was at the C3-C4 level and emergency surgery was performed by doctors throughout Saturday night at Hackensack University Medical Center to stabilize the spine.
"We want to say thank you to everyone for all of your prayers, kind words, and well wishes," the LeGrand family said. "We appreciate every single thought. Eric is in good spirits and we are praying for a full recovery."
Eric is resting in the intensive care unit at Hackensack University Medical Center and will remain there for the near future. Currently, he has no movement below the neck.
"Eric, his family and the Rutgers Football family believe he will recover," said Rutgers head football coach Greg Schiano. "We ask our fans and the entire Rutgers community to believe and pray for Eric as he begins the recovery process."
Inside the Pitt Series
Pittsburgh leads, 20-7 (h:4-9-0, a:3-10-0, n:0-1-0)
1981 gsL 3-47
1982 aL 6-52
1985 gsL 10-38
1986 aL 6-20
1987 gsL 0-17
1988 aL 10-20
1989 nL 29-46 (Dublin)
1990 aL 21-45
1991 aL 17-22
1992 hW 21-16
1993 gsL 10-21
1994 aL 21-35
1995 hW 42-24
1996 aL 9-24
1997 hL 48-55 2 (OT)
1998 aW 25-21
1999 hL 15-38
2000 aL 17-29
2001 hL 0-42
2002 aL 3-23
2003 hL 32-42
2004 aL 17-41
2005 hW 37-29
2006 aW 20-10
2007 hW 20-16
2008 aW 54-34
2009 hL 17-24
The Comeback Kid
Rutgers true freshman QB Chas Dodd has rallied the Scarlet Knights in the fourth quarter for two straight victories. Even more impressive, the two fourth quarter comebacks came in Dodd's first two career starts.
Dodd is 16-of-22 (72.7%) passing for 285 yards and three touchdowns in the last two games in the fourth quarter and overtime. Dodd was 7-of-9 passing for 151 yards and a touchdown vs. UConn in the fourth quarter on Oct. 8 before going 8-of-12 for 128 yards and two scores vs. Army in the fourth quarter and overtime.
Fourth Quarter Comebacks Under Schiano
Yr. Opponent, QB 4th Q Deficit Final Score
2010 Army (Dodd) 3-17 23-20 OT*
2010 UConn (Dodd) 17-24 27-24*
2010 at FIU (Savage) 13-14 19-14
2009 at UConn (Savage) 21-24 28-24*
2008 NC State (Teel) 19-23 29-23
2006 Louisville (Teel) 22-25 28-25*
2006 at USF (Teel) 13-14 22-20
2004 at Vanderbilt (Hart) 16-34 37-34*
* Game-winning drive with less than two minutes remaining
Fourth Quarter Magic After trailing 17-3 to start the fourth quarter, Rutgers scored 14 points in the final stanza to force overtime and earn the 23-20 OT victory over Army on Oct. 16. The 14-point fourth quarter deficit was the largest Rutgers' has rallied from for a victory since trailing at Vanderbilt 34-16 on Oct. 9, 2004. Rutgers responded with a 37-34 victory at Vandy for the largest fourth quarter comeback in school history.
The Scarlet Knights moved to 2-4 all-time in overtime games with the win vs. Army.
Game-Winning Field Goal
For the second time under Greg Schiano, Rutgers converted a game-winning field goal with less than 30 seconds remaining in the 27-24 victory over UConn.
Junior PK San San Te drilled a 34-yard field goal with 13 seconds remaining to secure the three-point victory. He was named the BIG EAST Special Teams Player of the Week on Oct. 11 for his performance vs. UConn.
The only other game-winning field goal with less than 30 seconds to play came via the right foot of Jeremy Ito in 2006 vs. No. 3 Louisville. Ito booted a 28-yard field goal - with also 13 seconds remaining - to give Rutgers a thrilling 28-25 victory over Louisville.
A Debut for the Ages
Chas Dodd had one of the greatest debuts of any QB in school history with his 322-yard performance in the 27-24 victory over Connecticut on Oct. 8.
Dodd was named the BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week by the league office and the BIG EAST Player of the Week by Rivals.com following the UConn game.
He completed six passes of 20 yards or longer in the contest. Dodd had career-bests in completions (18), yards (322) and touchdowns (2), while he completed a career-long pass of 52 yards.
Dodd threw for the third-highest yardage total in a single-game by a true freshman QB in school history.
The 322 passing yards for Dodd were the most ever by a quarterback making their first career start in the Greg Schiano era. It was the second-most passing yards by a quarterback in his first career start in school history, trailing only Mike McMahon with his 386 yards on 26-for-42 passing at Army in 1997.
It also marked the first 300-yard passing performance since Mike Teel (319 yards) against NC State in the PapaJohns.com Bowl on Dec. 29, 2008.
The 322 yards passing by Dodd were also the most by any player in the BIG EAST in 2010.
Notable First Starts for Rutgers QBs
Year Player Opponent C-A-I Yards TD Long
2010 Chas Dodd* Connecticut 18-29-0 322 2 52
2009 Tom Savage* Howard 8-13-0 223 2 68
2009 Domenic Natale Cincinnati 8-12-3 108 0 20
2005 Mike Teel at Syracuse 13-27-2 203 2 37
2002 Ryan Hart* #1/1 Miami 9-23-2 110 0 40
2002 Ted Trump Buffalo 16-38-3 166 1 22
2001 Ryan Cubit* at Buffalo 11-23-2 157 2 39
1997 Mike McMahon* at Army 26-42-1 386 1 40
1981 Jacque LaPrairie* at Boston College 2-16-2 38 0 N/A
*True freshman
Highest-Rated True Freshman QB in the Nation
Chas Dodd is the top true freshman quarterback in the nation in passing efficiency (138.37). On the season, Dodd is 50-of-91 passing for 755 yards and five touchdowns in five games.
NCAA True Freshman Passing Efficiency Leaders (Min. 15 attempts/game)
Player Comp.-Att.-INT-Yards-TD Efficiency
1. Chas Dodd, Rutgers 50-91-2-755-5 138.37
2. Pete Thomas, Colorado State 151-223-8-1,566-8 131.37
3. Ryan Williams, Memphis 94-159-6-1,126-7 125.59
4. Jeff Godfrey, UCF 56-91-3-669-1 120.33
Best Two-Game Start for QB During Schiano Era
Chas Dodd's first two starts are better than any quarterback during the Greg Schiano era at Rutgers. Dodd is 36-for-59 for 573 yards with four touchdowns and one interception in his two starts against Connecticut and Army to begin his career "On the Banks".
Year Player Opponent C-A-I Yards TD Long
2010 Chas Dodd (Fr.) Army 18-30-1 251 2 53
2010 Chas Dodd (Fr.) Connecticut 18-29-0 322 2 52
Total 36-59--1 573 4 53
2009 Tom Savage (Fr.) FIU 11-28-0 185 0 35
2009 Tom Savage (Fr.) Howard 8-13-0 223 2 68
Total 19-41-0 408 2 68
2002 Ted Trump (Jr.) Army 16-23-1 230 3 31
2002 Ted Trump (Jr.) Buffalo 16-38-3 166 1 22
Total 32-61-4 396 4 31
2005 Mike Teel (R-Fr.) at Connecticut 10-22-2 176 0 38
2005 Mike Teel (R-Fr.) at Syracuse 13-27-2 203 2 37
Total 23-49-4 379 2 48
2002 Ryan Hart (Fr.) Temple 14-27-1 155 2 53
2002 Ryan Hart (Fr.) #1/1 Miami 9-23-2 110 0 40
Total 23-50-3 265 2 53
2001 Ryan Cubit (Fr.) at #1/2 Miami 6-17-0 47 0 18
2001 Ryan Cubit (Fr.) at Buffalo 11-23-2 157 2 39
Total 17-40-2 204 2 39
Dodd Joins Savage Among Single-Game True Frosh Leaders
Chas Dodd has one of the three 300-yard passing games in school history as a true freshman. Dodd's 322 yards vs. UConn were the third-highest total in a single game by a true freshman in school history.
1997 Mike McMahon at Army 26-42-1 386 1 40
2001 Ryan Cubit Navy 13-20-1 327 3 91
2010 Chas Dodd Connecticut 18-29-0 322 2 52
2009 Tom Savage UCF 14-27-1 294 2 65
1997 Mike McMahon Pittsburgh 19-38-1 269 2 34
2010 Chas Dodd Army 18-30-1 251 2 53
In the Month of October
Rutgers is 19-18 (.514) overall under Greg Schiano in the month of October. Over the last five years - all seasons that concluded with bowl appearances - Rutgers is 15-7 (.682) in October.
Year-by-Year in October under Schiano
Year Overall
2001 1-2
2002 0-3
2003 1-3
2004 2-3
2005 3-1
2006 3-0
2007 2-2
2008 2-2
2009 3-1
2010 2-1
Total 19-18
Scoring Defense Leaders
Rutgers is 12th nationally (second in the BIG EAST) in scoring defense, allowing 15.3 points per game. Last season, Rutgers finished the year 16th in the nation and led the conference allowing just 17.9 points per game.
NCAA Scoring Defense Leaders
Rank Points per game
1. TCU 9.3
2. Missouri 10.8
3. Boise State 12.3
3. West Virginia 12.3
5. Alabama 12.9
6. Iowa 13.2
7. Arizona 13.3
8. UCF 13.8
9. Nebraska 14.0
9. Utah 14.0
11. LSU 14.4
12. Rutgers 15.3
Shutout in Five Straight Seasons
Rutgers and Boise State are the only teams in the nation to record a shutout in each of the last five seasons. Here is a look at Rutgers' shutouts over the last five years:
2006: Illinois (33-0); Navy (34-0)
2007: Norfolk State (59-0)
2008: Morgan State (38-0)
2009: Texas Southern (42-0); USF (31-0)
2010: Norfolk State (31-0)
Return to Sender
The return game has provided excellent results over the first part of the season for the Scarlet Knights. Rutgers ranks 12th nationally (first in the BIG EAST) in kickoff returns, averaging 26.5 yards per return.
Senior DB Joe Lefeged is 20th in the NCAA and third in league play with an average return of 27.8 yards. Lefeged had a season-long 75-yard kickoff return to setup at touchdown in the victory over UConn.
Stingy Third Down Defense
One year after finishing 10th in the nation in third down efficiency defense (54-of-178, 30.3 %), the Scarlet Knights have continued to play well on third down in 2010.
Rutgers is tied for sixth in the nation in third down defense. The Scarlet Knights have limited the opposition to 23-of-80 conversions (28.7%) on third down this season.
NCAA Third Down Efficiency Defense
Rank Percent
1. TCU (20-of-89) 22.5
2. West Virginia (19-of-82) 23.2
3. Penn State (17-of-70) 24.3
4. Texas A&M (27-of-96) 28.1
5. NC State (27-of-94) 28.7
6. Rutgers (23-of-80) 28.75
6. Boise State (23-of-80) 28.75
Not Moving the Chains
Rutgers has allowed the third-fewest amount of first downs in the nation with 83 this season. The Scarlet Knights rank fourth sixth, allowing just 13.8 first downs per game.
NCAA First Downs Allowed
Rank First downs allowed First downs per game
1. TCU 84 12.0
2. West Virginia 74 12.3
3. Boise State 79 13.2
4. LSU 94 13.4
5. Ohio State 95 13.6
6. Rutgers 83 13.8
Jack of All Trades
Sophomore WR and Wild Knight QB Mohamed Sanu joined an impressive list of Scarlet Knights who have totaled 190 yards or more of all-purpose yards during the Greg Schiano era. Sanu rushed for 121 yards and totaled 70 yards receiving vs. Tulane on Oct. 2.
Sanu also recorded the longest run in school history - 91 yards - when he scored on the game's second offensive play.
The South Brunswick native leads Rutgers in rushing yards (285), rushing touchdowns (4), receiving yards (295), receptions (29), receiving touchdowns (tied for team lead with 2) and all-purpose yards (580).
Below is the list of players under Schiano who have recorded at least 190 all-purpose yards in a game:
Single-Game All-Purpose Yardage Leaders (Schiano era)
Rank All-Purpose Yards
1. Ray Rice vs. Ball State (1-5-08) 295
2. Ray Rice at Army (11-9-07) 255
3. Tiquan Underwood vs. Buffalo (8-30-07) 248
4. Ray Rice at Syracuse (10-13-07) 225
4. Ray Rice at Pittsburgh (10-21-06) 225
6. Ray Rice vs. Navy (9-7-07) 215
7. Ray Rice at North Carolina (9-2-06) 214
8. Kenny Britt vs. Army (11-22-08) 213
9. Ray Rice vs. Buffalo (8-30-07) 205
10. Ray Rice at USF (9-29-06) 202
11. Brian Leonard at Illinois (9-3-05) 193
12. Mohamed Sanu vs. Tulane (10-2-10) 191
Freshmen Debuts
Six true freshmen have seen the field for the Scarlet Knights in 2010:
True freshmen
OL Betim Bujari (Secaucus, N.J.)
WR Jeremy Deering (Tampa, Fla.)
QB Chas Dodd (Lyman, S.C.)
WR J.T. Tartacoff (Montgomery, N.J.)
RB Jordan Thomas (Endicott, N.Y.)
DE Marcus Thompson (Oakland Park, Fla.)
Turnover On Downs
Rutgers is the only school in the nation to not allow a fourth down conversion this season, limiting the opposition to 0-for-6 on fourth down attempts.
Protecting the Pigskin
Rutgers is +33 in turnover differential over its last 26 games (20-6). The Scarlet Knights gained 34 turnovers in 2009, including at least one in 12 of the 13 games. Rutgers finished second in the nation in turnover margin in 2009 (+1.54). Over the last 24 games, Rutgers has gained a total of 59 turnovers. In 2010, the Scarlet Knights are first in the BIG EAST and 19th nationally in turnover margin at +0.83 per game.
Everyone Loves a Block Party
Greg Schiano has always preached the importance of special teams and the results have shown over his coaching career in Piscataway. Rutgers has blocked 46 kicks during the Schiano era, including two in the first game of the 2010 season by Brandon Bing against Norfolk State.
Joe Lefeged followed that effort up with two blocked punts of his own in the victory at Florida International.
Rutgers is 21-14 under Schiano when blocking a kick in a game.
NCAA Blocked Kick Leaders (Since 2002)
1. Fresno State 52
2. Rutgers 46
2. Texas 46
4. Louisiana-Lafayette 41
5. Florida 39
Sweet Te
Rutgers junior PK San San Te is 14th among active career kickers in the nation with 40 made field goals. The 40 field goals also place Te third in school history in career field goals made. The North Carolina native is 10-for-14 on the season.
Representing the 305
Antonio Lowery, a native of Miami, has been all over the field in 2010. Lowery leads the team in tackles (65) and ranks first in the BIG EAST and 12th nationally with 10.8 tackles per game.
Lowery totaled a career-high 19 tackles in the 23-20 overtime victory over Army. It was the most tackles by a Scarlet Knight during the Greg Schiano era and the most tackles by any player in the BIG EAST this season. The active linebacker has also recovered three fumbles and forced one fumble this season.
No Ordinary Joe
Joe Lefeged has been a man on a mission in 2010 for the Scarlet Knights. The Germantown, Md., product has been all over the field on defense and special teams this season.
Lefeged became the first player in BIG EAST history to be named the Defensive and Special Teams Player of the Week, in the same week, the league office announced Sept. 13. Lefeged earned the two awards after an incredible performance in the victory at FIU.
The senior strong safety blocked two punts, forced two fumbles, recorded one interception, broke up a pass and had six tackles in the win.
It marked the second time in two weeks a Scarlet Knight was named Special Teams Player of the Week after Brandon Bing earned the award on Sept. 6.
Lefeged was also named the Jim Thorpe National Defensive Back of the Week for his amazing performance at FIU. The Maryland product is second on the squad with 41 tackles and leads Rutgers with five pass breakups.
28-5
Under head coach Greg Schiano, Rutgers is 28-5 when rushing for 175 yards or more in a game. Since the start of the 2006 season, the Scarlet Knights are 20-2 when going over the 175-yard mark on the ground in a game.
Rutgers is 1-0 when rushing for more than 175 yards in a game in 2010. The Scarlet Knights totaled 268 rushing yards in the 31-0 victory over Norfolk State.
Captains Named for 2010 Season
Howard Barbieri, Joe Lefeged and Charlie Noonan have been named team captains for the 2010 season. Barbieri and Noonan have been part of Rutgers' four consecutive teams that have won bowl games while Lefeged has played in the previous three bowl victories for the Scarlet Knights.
