RUTGERS (0-2) vs. MORGAN STATE (0-2)
September 16, 2017 • 3:30 p.m. ET • Big Ten Network
High Point Solutions Stadium • Piscataway, N.J.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers football will conclude its three-game non-conference homestand to open the season against Morgan State Saturday at High Point Solutions Stadium. The game will begin at 3:30 p.m.
 
Big Ten Network will broadcast the game with Scott Graham delivering the play-by-play and Ray Lucas providing color commentary. With BTN carrying multiple games in the time slot, click here for the out-of-market channel finder. Chris Carlin, Eric LeGrand, David Milewski and Anthony Fucilli will have the radio call on the Rutgers IMG Sports Network (WCTC 1450-AM, ESPN NY 98.7-FM, WENJ 97.3-FM, WNJE 920-AM, Sirius 99, XM 210). The Scarlet Knights' first four home games, including this Saturday, will broadcast on ESPN NY 98.7-FM due to conflicts with the WOR 710-AM New York Mets broadcast schedule.
 
Saturday will be Military Appreciation Day at High Point Solutions Stadium. A number of activities have been planned, including a military vehicle escort down Scarlet Knight Way and military personnel from each branch participating in the team's arrival in the North Plaza for the Scarlet Walk. Prior to kickoff, 125 Rutgers ROTC cadets will carry an American flag that will span half the football field during the national anthem. Military officials will also serve as honorary captains for the game and there will be on-field recognitions of current service members and veterans during the game.

Through the R Heroes program, as part of Military Appreciation Day, Rutgers football fans were given the opportunity to purchase and donate tickets to active-duty and veteran members of the armed forces, and their families. The campaign hit an all-time high this year with 5,672 tickets donated and distributed. The game is also Cheer Day and Scout Day. 
 
SCOUTING RUTGERS
The Scarlet Knights are coming off a 16-13 loss to Eastern Michigan last week in a game that came down to the final play. Fifth-year senior Gus Edwards scored a 23-yard rushing touchdown, while classmate Andrew Harte added two field goals. However, the Eagles converted a go-ahead field goal with 10:13 remaining and held on for the victory as the Scarlet Knights came up empty on drives of 66 and 43 yards in the final minutes.
 
Defensively, RU limited EMU to 114 rushing yards (3.3 per carry) to out-gain the opponent on the ground for the second-straight week. Juniors Saquan Hampton, Trevor Morris and Deonte Roberts each had eight tackles to lead the unit, while fifth-year senior Sebastian Joseph recorded five stops to go with a forced fumble and a blocked field goal. With the block, Rutgers has now denied 48 kicks since 2009, the most in the nation over that span.
 
Senior Robert Martin picked up a team-high 68 rushing yards to raise his career total to 1,945, as he needs 180 more to join the program top-10 rushing list. Edwards (135 yards) and Martin (123 yards) have spearheaded the ground game in 2017, with fifth-year senior Kyle Bolin registering 41 completions for 376 yards in two starts at quarterback.
 
Senior Janarion Grant collected 157 all-purpose yards versus Eastern Michigan for his 12^th career game with at least 150. The wide receiver had six catches in the fourth quarter last week, totaling eight overall for 91 yards to top 1,000 receiving yards for his career. He leads all active FBS players with 3,223 collegiate kick return yards.
 
SCOUTING MORGAN STATE
The Bears have suffered shutout losses to Towson and Albany to open the season. In last week's home opener against the Great Danes, quarterback Elijah Staley went 18-for-40 passing for 170 yards and added 30 rushing yards. However, Morgan State only took one trip to the red zone. Nate Hatalsky led the defense with nine tackles, including three for a loss. Through two weeks, the defense ranks sixth in the FCS in total defense (221.0).
 
Head coach Fred T. Farrier is in his second year at the helm after spending the previous two seasons on staff as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. He previously was the passing game coordinator at RPI (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute).
 
THE SERIES
Rutgers scored 24 points off of turnovers and held Morgan State to 109 total yards in a 38-0 victory in the last meeting between the programs on Sept. 27, 2008 at Rutgers Stadium. Senior quarterback Mike Teel completed his first eight passes and threw for a score, while redshirt freshman running back Jourdan Brooks rushed for three touchdowns. All of the contest's points were scored in the first half. RU had four takeaways and scored on all five of its trips inside the red zone in the opening 30 minutes. The Scarlet Knights previously defeated MSU in 1971 (27-8) and 1972 (37-14) to lead the series, 3-0.
 
Rutgers is a perfect 13-0 all-time versus teams from the MEAC, winning by a composite mark of 558-88.
 
UP NEXT
Rutgers will start Big Ten play by hitting the road for the first time this season with a trip to Nebraska. The Scarlet Knights and Cornhuskers will meet for the third time in four years.
 
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding football, follow the program on Twitter @RFootball.