Scarlet Knights Game Preview - Army
Nov 07 | Football
RUTGERS (6-3, 3-2
) at ARMY (3-6)
Sat., November 12 • 3:35 p.m. • CBS Sports Network
Yankee Stadium (53,000)
Bronx, N.Y.
Series: Rutgers Leads 19-18
The Game
• Rutgers finishes non-conference play Saturday as the Scarlet Knights face Army at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. with live coverage on the CBS Sports Network.
• Calling the game for CBS Sports Network is Gary Thorne (play-by-play) and Randy Cross (color analyst).
Series Information
• In a series that started in 1891, Army and Rutgers have played each other 37 times, with Rutgers holding a 19-18 edge in the all-time series. The Scarlet Knights have won seven straight meetings vs. the Black Knights and 11 of 13 since 1991. Greg Schiano is a perfect 6-0 in his career vs. Army,
• Last season, the Scarlet Knights came away with a 23-20 overtime victory over the Black Knights at the Meadowlands. In the game, Eric LeGrand suffered a spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed as he made a tackle on kickoff coverage for the Scarlet Knights. LeGrand continues to make steady progress in his rehabilitation and will join the CBS Sports Network announcers in the broadcast booth for part of Saturday's game.
The Head Coaches
• Rutgers: Greg Schiano (Bucknell '88) is in his 11th season with the Scarlet Knights. Schiano is just the fourth coach in BIG EAST history to coach 10 seasons at the same school, along with Paul Pasqualoni (Syracuse, 14 years), Frank Beamer (Virginia Tech, 13 years) and Don Nehlen (West Virginia, 10 years). Schiano (65-66) is third all-time in victories among BIG EAST coaches. The 2006 National and BIG EAST Coach of the Year, Schiano has guided Rutgers to a school-record five bowl appearances over the previous six seasons, including four bowl victories.
• Army: Rich Ellerson (Hawaii '77) is in his third season as head coach of the Army Black Knights. Ellerson is 15-19 overall at Army and 75-60 in 12 years as a head coach. Ellerson, who came to Army after a terrific stint as head coach at Cal Poly, led Army to its first winning season and bowl berth since 1996 last season (7-6).
Rutgers at Yankee Stadium
Rutgers returns to the home of the Yankees for the first time since 1948. The Scarlet Knights played nine times at the original Yankee Stadium, all against New York University, going 1-7-1. The two schools played an annual contest from 1926-33, then resumed the rivalry for one year in 1948.
Playing in another MLB Venue
Rutgers continues a long trend of playing football games in Major League Baseball venues with Saturday's game at the New Yankee Stadium. The Scarlet Knights have played 47 games in stadiums that have called Major League Baseball home, most recently at Tropicana Field in the 2009 St. Petersburg Bowl vs. UCF.
Rutgers Football in MLB Venues
Yankee Stadium - Played nine times in the Old Yankee Stadium vs. NYU
Polo Grounds - 11 games at the Polo Grounds I, II, III & IV (only school to play in all four incarnations)
Ebbets Field - Rutgers was the first college to play football there when it upset Newport Naval Reserves 14-0 (11/24/17). RU played three games at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn.
Navin Field (later became Tiger Stadium) - 27-0 loss to Detroit on Nov. 25, 1920
Fenway Park - 13-7 win vs. Boston College (11/8/19) and 9-7 victory against Boston University (11/9/35)
Baltimore Stadium (later became Memorial Stadium) - lost 14-7 to Maryland (11/30/40) before the Orioles began playing there in 1954
Nickerson Field (former home of the Boston Braves) - Played three games vs. Boston University at the venue going 3-0
Riverfront Stadium - Lost 18-7 to Cincinnati (11/5/83)
Three Rivers Stadium - Lost 29-17 to Pitt (9/23/00)
Veterans Stadium - 5-7 vs. Temple from 1977-2001
Chase Field - 45-40 loss to Arizona State in the Insight Bowl (12/27/05)
Rogers Centre - 52-30 win over Ball State in the International Bowl (1/5/08)
Tropicana Field - 45-24 win vs. UCF in the St. Petersburg Bowl (12/19/09)
On Record Pace
Mohamed Sanu is on pace to re-write the Rutgers and BIG EAST record books for receptions in a season. Sanu has 81 receptions on the season - already tied for second in RU single-season history - and is on pace for 108 receptions. Former first round NFL pick Kenny Britt holds the RU single-season record with 87 receptions in 2008 while Larry Fitzgerald's 92 receptions in 2003 set the BIG EAST single-season record.
Comparing The Three Through Nine Games
Player Year Receptions Yards TDs
M. Sanu 2011 81 844 7
K. Britt 2008 60 821 4
L. Fitzgerald 2003 68 1,182 17
Gotta Go To Mo
Mohamed Sanu is sixth nationally in receptions per game (9.0) and 19th in the country in receiving yards per game (93.8). He leads the BIG EAST in receptions per game and ranks second in the league in receiving yards per contest.
Moving On Up ...
Mohamed Sanu is fourth in Rutgers history with 176 career receptions. He is also third in school history in career 100-yard receiving games with eight, tied for ninth in school history with 12 career touchdown receptions and 10th in RU career history with 1,901 receiving yards.
Rutgers Career Receptions Leaders
1. Brian Leonard (2003-06) 207
2. Tres Moses (2001-05) 192
3. Kenny Britt (2006-08) 178
4. Mohamed Sanu (2009-present) 176
5. Marco Battaglia (1992-95) 171
Rutgers Career Receiving Yards Leaders
1. Kenny Britt (2006-08) 3,043
2. Tres Moses (2002-05) 2,522
3. Andrew Baker (1981-84) 2,268
4. Tim Brown (2006-09) 2,257
5. Marco Battaglia (1992-95) 2,221
6. Jim Guarantano (1989-92) 2,065
7. Clark Harris (2003-06) 2,015
8. Tiquan Underwood (2005-08) 1,931
9. Chris Brantley (1990-93) 1,914
10. Mohamed Sanu (2009-present) 1,901
Rutgers Career 100-Yard Receiving Game Leaders
1. Kenny Britt (2006-08) 14
2. Tim Brown (2006--09) 9
3. Mohamed Sanu (2009-present) 8
Rutgers Single-Season Receptions Leaders
1. Kenny Britt (2008) 87
2. Mohamed Sanu (2011) 81
Tres Moses (2004) 81
4. Marco Battaglia (1995) 69
Rutgers Single-Season Receiving Yards Leaders
1. Kenny Britt (2008) 1,371
2. Kenny Britt (2007) 1,232
3. Tim Brown (2009) 1,150
4. Tiquan Underwood (2007) 1,100
5. Tres Moses (2004) 1,056
6. Marco Battaglia (1995) 894
7. Andrew Baker (1983) 857
8. Mohamed Sanu (2011) 844
9. Mark Harrison (2010) 829
10. Marco Battaglia (1994) 779
BIG EAST Single-Season Receptions Leaders
1. Larry Fitzgerald, Pitt (2003) 92
2. Mardy Gilyard, Cincinnati (2009) 87
3. Dominick Goodman, Cincinnati (2008) 84
4. Mohamed Sanu, Rutgers (2011) 81
Tres Moses, Rutgers (2004) 81
Mardy Gilyard, Cincinnati (2008) 81
Mo Knows
Mohamed Sanu finished with one of the most prolific receiving days in NCAA history Sept. 24 in the 38-26 victory vs. Ohio.
Sanu set a new BIG EAST and school record with 16 receptions against the Bobcats. Sanu ended the day with career-highs in receptions (16), receiving yards (176) and receiving touchdowns (2).
The 16 receptions by Sanu were the second-most by a player in a single-game nationally in 2011, trailing only Southern California's Robert Woods. Woods caught 17 passes for 177 yards and three touchdowns vs. Minnesota on Sept. 3.
Sanu became the first Scarlet Knight since Tres Moses in 2004 to record 10-plus receptions in two consecutive games.
It's Not Over until it's Over ...
Rutgers erased a 17-3 deficit with 7:38 to play in the fourth quarter to earn a 20-17 victory in overtime over USF on Nov. 5. The Scarlet Knights are 2-0 in overtime games this season and 4-4 all-time in OT contests.
For the second time in 2011, Rutgers erased a deficit of 10 or more points in the fourth quarter to earn an overtime victory in BIG EAST play. The Scarlet Knights trailed 13-3 in the fourth quarter Oct. 1 at Syracuse before QB Gary Nova rallied RU for a win.
For the third time in 2011, Rutgers rallied from a fourth quarter deficit for a win. It was the 11th time under Greg Schiano the Scarlet Knights rallied for a fourth quarter victory.
Fourth Quarter Comebacks under Schiano
Year Opponent (QB) 4th Q Deficit Final Score
2011 USF (Dodd) 3-17 20-17 OT
2011 Navy (Nova) 14-17 21-20
2011 at Syracuse (Nova) 3-13 19-16 2 OT
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
Bowl-Eligible for Sixth Time in Seven Years
Rutgers became bowl-eligible for the sixth time in seven years with its 20-17 overtime victory over USF on Nov. 5. The Scarlet Knights have been to five bowls over the previous six seasons, including four straight wins in post-season play.
Rutgers made just one bowl appearance in 135 years of football until Schiano guided the Scarlet Knights to five bowl appearances during his tenure.
Forcing Turnovers
The Rutgers defense has been at its best in forcing turnovers in 2011. The Scarlet Knights are second nationally with 28 turnovers gained. In 2010, RU forced just 22 turnovers the entire season.
Rutgers has forced four or more turnovers in five games in 2011. The Scarlet Knights have forced at least one turnover in every game this year.
NCAA Turnovers Gained Leaders
1. Oklahoma State 31
2. Rutgers 28
South Carolina 27
Arizona State 27
NCAA Interception Leaders
1. NC State 19
2. Oklahoma State 18
3. South Carolina 17
4. Rutgers 16
NCAA Fumbles Recovered Leaders
1. Arizona St. 14
2. Cincinnati 13
Maryland 13
Oklahoma St. 13
San Jose St. 13
Wyoming 13
7. Rutgers 12
Kent St. 12
Marshall 12
Michigan 12
Middle Tennessee 12
North Texas 12
In November ...
Rutgers is 12-24 overall under Greg Schiano in the month of November. Over the last six years - five of which that concluded with bowl appearances - Rutgers is 11-10 (.524) in November.
Year-by-Year in November under Schiano
Year Overall
2001 0-4
2002 0-4
2003 1-3
2004 0-3
2005 1-2
2006 2-1
2007 2-2
2008 3-0
2009 2-1
2010 0-4
2011 1-0
Total 12-24
Ground Game Paves Way to Victory
Rutgers is 38-13 (.745) when rushing for 150 yards or more in a game under head coach Greg Schiano.
The Scarlet Knights are 2-1 this season when going over the 150-yard mark on the ground.
Since the start of the 2006 season, Rutgers is 27-7 (.794) when rushing for more than 150 yards.
Under 300 the Magic Number
The Rutgers defense has held three opponents to under 300 yards of total offense in 2011, going 3-0 in those contests. Under head coach Greg Schiano, the Scarlet Knights are 38-4 (.904) when limiting the opposition to under 300 yards of total offense.
Everyone Loves a Block Party
Since 2002, Rutgers is tied for second nationally with 53 blocked kicks, including six this season. In the 21-20 victory over Navy, junior CB Brandon Jones blocked Navy's attempted go-ahead field goal attempt with 4:43 remaining to preserve the one-point victory. Jones also contributed his second career interception in the win. The blocked kick was the first of Jones' career.
Sophomore LB Jamal Merrell leads RU with three blocked kicks in 2011. He blocked a PAT and a FG in Rutgers' 19-16 victory at Syracuse en route to BIG EAST Special Teams Player of the Week honors on Oct. 3.
Most Blocked Kicks in the NCAA since 2002
1. Fresno State 66
2. Rutgers 53
Texas 53
4. Florida 46
Louisiana 46
Defending the Vaunted Triple Option
Rutgers has played two teams over the last 11 seasons that run the vaunted triple option offense - Army and Navy. Since Rich Ellerson arrived at Army, he has installed an option attack while Navy has been running the triple option for over 11 consecutive seasons.
In Rutgers' last 11 games against option offenses, the Scarlet Knights are 9-2 and have limited the opposition to an average of 26 rushing yards below their season average.
Below is how Rutgers has stacked up against the Army and Navy option rushing offense during the Schiano era:
Opp. - Year (National Ranking) Season Avg. vs. RU
Navy - 2011 (3) 318.0 162
Army - 2010 (8) 251.6 289
Army - 2009 (16) 203.6 197
Army - 2008 (9) 241.4 217
Navy - 2008 (1) 292.4 272
Navy - 2007 (1) 348.8 254
Navy - 2006 (1) 327.0 113
Navy - 2005 (1) 318.7 207
Navy - 2004 (3) 289.5 476
Navy - 2003 (1) 323.2 373
Navy - 2001 (35) 181.8 254
TOTAL AVERAGE 281.5 255.8
Bold denotes RU victory
This Week's Opponent: Army
Army comes into Saturday's game 3-6 on the season after a tough 24-14 setback last week at Air Force. The Black Knights led 14-0 at halftime before the Falcons scored 24 unanswered en route to the victory.
The Black Knights own wins over Big 10 member Northwestern (21-14), Tulane (45-6) and Fordham (55-0) in 2011 while losing to Northern Illinois (49-26), San Diego State (23-20), Ball State (48-21), Miami of Ohio (35-28) and Vanderbilt (44-21).
Army's rushing offense leads the nation with an average of 365.8 yards per game while its passing offense is last in the Football Bowl Subdivision, with just 47 yards per game through the air. Army is 51st nationally in total offense (412.8 yards per game) and 60th in scoring offense (27.9 points per game).
On defense, Army ranks 46th nationally in total defense allowing 363.8 yards per game. The Black Knights rank 80th nationally in rushing defense (176.7 yards per game), 18th in pass defense (187.11 yards per game) and 64th in scoring defense (27.0 points per game).
Sweet Te
Senior PK San San Te is ranked among the career active leaders in the nation in field goals made. Te is third among active players with 59 career field goals.
Te is also fourth in BIG EAST history with 59 career field goals. Former RU standout Jeremy Ito is the BIG EAST's all-time leader with 80 career field goals.
BIG EAST Career Field Goal Leaders
1. Jeremy Ito, Rutgers (2004-07) 80
2. Shayne Graham, Virginia Tech (1996-99) 68
3. Dave Teggert, Connecticut (2007-present) 66
4. San San Te, Rutgers (2008-present) 59
At Rutgers, Te is second all-time in career field goals (59) behind Ito. Te is tied for fifth in the nation in field goals made per game (1.7) and is sixth among active players with 315 career points.
Te booted his third career game-winning field goal with his 37-yard FG in overtime to secure the win. Te also kicked a game-deciding 47-yard field goal in overtime at Syracuse (game ended with a Syracuse fumble in overtime) and a 34-yard FG last season to defeat UConn 27-24.
Scoring Leaders
San San Te moved into second place in Rutgers history with seven points vs. West Virginia to pass Ray Rice (300) in career scoring at Rutgers. Te (307 career points) trails only Jeremy Ito (400 career points) in the Rutgers record books.
True Freshmen in 2011
In 2011, 10 true freshmen have seen the field for the Scarlet Knights. The lone starters of the group have been right tackle Kaleb Johnson and quarterback Gary Nova.
DB Johnathan Aiken
RB Savon Huggins
DE Myles Jackson
OT Kaleb Johnson
CB Tejay Johnson
DT Kenneth Kirksey
QB Gary Nova
WR Miles Shuler
LB Kevin Snyder
DT Daryl Stephenson
Under Pressure
Rutgers has put the pressure on the opposition in 2011 as the Scarlet Knights rank ninth nationally in sacks per game (3.1) and sixth in tackles-for-loss per game (8.0).
Pressure a Calling Card of a Schiano Defense
Greg Schiano called the defensive plays for Rutgers from 2005-07 and in 2011. One constant from each of those seasons has been RU's ability to generate tackles behind the line of scrimmage and sacks.
Below is a breakdown of RU's per game averages of TFLs and sacks along with the national ranking in each category.
Year Sacks per game (Rank) TFLs per game (Rank)
2011 3.1 (9) 8.0 (6)
2007 3.15 (12) 7.23 (T-20)
2006 3.15 (5) 7.92 (T-5)
2005 3.83 (T-2) 8.92 (5)
Saving His Best for Last
Justin Francis has saved the best football of his career for his senior season. The Florida native is tied for second on the team in tackles (48) and leads RU in tackles-for-loss (12.5), sacks (6.5) and quarterback hurries (9). He is second in the BIG EAST in tackles-for-loss per game (1.4) and tied for third with 0.72 sacks per game, while also ranking in the top 20 nationally in both categories.
In the 20-17 overtime victory over USF, Francis set a career-high with 11 tackles and tied career-bests with four tackles-for-loss and two sacks.
First State's Finest
Duron Harmon is one of four Delaware natives in the starting lineup for Rutgers in 2011 and is having a terrific season. In his first year as a starter, Harmon leads RU with five interceptions - which places him in a tie for sixth nationally and second in the BIG EAST.
Harmon's fifth INT of the season came during USF's first possession of overtime. On the ensuing possession for RU, San San Te drilled a game-winning 37-yard field goal.
100-100
Mohamed Sanu and Jeremy Deering are two of only three players in school history to have 100-yard rushing and receiving games in their careers. Sanu became the first player in school history to record both a 100-yard rushing and receiving game against the same opponent after128 yards receiving at Louisville on Oct. 21. Sanu rushed for 148 yards at Louisville in 2009.
The Freshman 100
Redshirt freshman RB Jawan Jamison became the 13th freshman during Greg Schiano's tenure at Rutgers to rush for 100 yards in a game with his 101-yard performance vs. 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)
Jeremy Deering 29-166-1 Syracuse (11-12-10)
Justise Hairston 31-161-4 vs. Navy (9-27-03)
Ray Rice 26-158-0 USF (11-5-05)
Mohamed Sanu 18-148-2 at Louisville (11-27-09)
Brian Leonard 37-138-1 Syracuse (11-29-03)
Jourdan Brooks 22-134-2 at Navy (9-20-08)
De'Antwan Williams 19-132-1 Texas Southern (10-10-09)
Brian Leonard 16-132-1 at Army (9-13-03)
Markis Facyson 32-129-1 Army (9-14-02)
Jourdan Brooks 11-124-1 Louisville (12-4-08)
Jordan Thomas 16-120-1 Louisville (11-26-10)
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)
Jawan Jamison 22-101-1 Navy (10-15-11)
Tough to Score in the Red Zone
Rutgers is tied for the lead nationally in red zone defense in 2011. The Scarlet Knights have yielded 18 scores in 28 opportunities, including just 13 touchdowns.
Mean Greene
Junior LB Khaseem Greene was moved from free safety to linebacker during spring drills and has quickly become one of the nation's top linebackers in 2011.
The Elizabeth native leads RU in tackles (92) while adding 8.5 TFLs and two sacks from his weakside linebacker position. Greene leads the BIG EAST in tackles per game (10.2) and ranks 18th nationally. Greene totaled a career-high 17 stops vs. USF (Nov. 5).
Rutgers Second Nationally in Academic Progress Rate
The Rutgers football team has achieved the nation's number two ranking in Academic Progress Rate, according to the latest multi-year APR figures released by the NCAA. The impressive accomplishment continues a trend for the Rutgers football program under head coach Greg Schiano of success both in the classroom and on the playing field.
For the fourth consecutive year, the Rutgers football team was ranked in the top three nationally in multi-year APR rates, becoming the only university in the entire nation to earn such a prestigious honor.
The Scarlet Knights, who secured the nation's top APR multi-year figure (992) in 2010, continued their model of success and achievement in the classroom with a multi-year APR figure of 988 in 2011.
"Thanks to their hard work, the young men we cheer every Saturday will be tomorrow's leaders in whatever career path they pursue," said New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. "Congratulations - yet again - to Coach Schiano and the outstanding men and women across our Scarlet Knights athletics programs for exemplifying what it means to be a 'student-athlete.'"
Rutgers' four-year APR score of 988 covered the academic years of 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-10.
The top three Football Bowl Subdivision schools in terms of APR are Northwestern (993), Rutgers (988) and Northern Illinois (987). For the fourth straight year, Rutgers has the best APR mark of any state university in the nation.
The APR provides a real-time look at a team's academic success each semester or quarter 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.
Head Coach Greg Schiano
Coaching Experience
2000- Rutgers University (head coach)
1999-00 University of Miami (defensive coordinator)
1998 Chicago Bears (defensive backfield coach)
1996-97 Chicago Bears (defensive assistant)
1991-96 Penn State University (defensive backfield coach)
1990 Penn State University (graduate assistant)
1989 Rutgers University (graduate assistant)
1988 Ramapo High School (assistant coach)
Career Record
65-66 (11th season; longest tenured coach in BIG?EAST)
Bowl Appearances (12)
2009 St. Petersburg Bowl, 2008 PapaJohns.com Bowl, 2008 International Bowl, 2006 Texas Bowl, 2005 Insight Bowl, 2000 Gator Bowl, 1996 Outback Bowl, 1995 Rose Bowl, 1994 Citrus Bowl, 1993 Blockbuster Bowl, 1992 Fiesta Bowl, 1990 Blockbuster Bowl
Honors and Accomplishments
2006 Eddie Robinson/FWAA National Coach of the Year
2006 The Home Depot National Coach of the Year
2006 Walter Camp Football Foundation National Coach of the Year
2006 Liberty Mutual National Coach of the Year
2006 George Munger (Maxwell Club) National Coach of the Year
2006 BIG EAST Coach of the Year
First coach in Rutgers history to lead team to four consecutive bowl appearances
First coach in Rutgers history to lead team to three consecutive bowl championships
First coach to guide Rutgers to a top-10 national ranking
