Scarlet Knights Game Preview
Nov 17 | Football
ARMY (3-7) at RUTGERS (5-5, 4-2
)
Date: Saturday, Nov. 22 12:00 PM
Site: Piscataway, N.J.
Stadium: Rutgers Stadium
Series Record: Army leads, 18-16
Last Meeting: Rutgers 41, Army 6 (2007)
Last Meeting at Rutgers: Rutgers 44, Army 0 (2002)
Television: BIG EAST Network (SNY, WPHL-17) Mike Gleason - Play-by-Play, John Congemi - Analyst, Quint Kessenich - Sidelines
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 pre-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
Internet: ScarletKnights.com (audio)
Rutgers looks to extend the longest current winning streak in the BIG EAST to five games Saturday as the Scarlet Knights (5-5, 4-2) play their final non-conference game of the season vs. Army (3-7). The BIG EAST Television Network Game of the Week is scheduled to kickoff at noon and will be aired locally on SNY and WPHL-17 in South Jersey and Philadelphia. Mike Gleason, John Congemi and Quint Kessenich will call the action.
The Rutgers Radio Network will begin its pregame coverage at 11 a.m. Chris Carlin (play-by-play), Tim Pernetti (analyst) and Anthony Fucilli (sidelines) will have the call.
Rolling at the Right Time
Rutgers' four-game winning streak in BIG EAST play has tied the school record for the longest win streak in conference play. The 2006 squad also won four straight games.
November Success
With a win Saturday vs. Army, Rutgers would finish the month of November undefeated for the first time under head coach Greg Schiano. The best record for the Scarlet Knights in November during Schiano's tenure was 2-1 in 2006.
In 2008, the Scarlet Knights are averaging 42 points per game during the month and have outscored the opposition 84-33 in November.
New York State of Mind
Rutgers has won seven consecutive games vs. teams from the State of New York.
During the seven-game winning streak, Rutgers has outscored the Empire State opponents 238-59. Rutgers has scored at least 31 points in six of the seven games, while only allowing double-figures in points in two games.
Three members of the starting secondary for the Scarlet Knights hail from the Empire State - Nanuet's Devin and Jason McCourty along with New Rochelle's Courtney Greene.
Four members of the Rutgers coaching staff have direct ties to New York. Assistant head coach/offensive line coach Kyle Flood is a native of Bayside, played collegiately at Iona and coached at C.W. Post and Hofstra.
Special teams coordinator Chris Rippon spent 12 seasons at Syracuse from 1993-2004 while secondary coach Ed Pinkham served for 10 seasons on the staff at Colgate in Hamilton, NY. from 1996-2007.
Linebackers coach Bob Fraser also coached the linebacking unit at Colgate from 1998-05.
Defensive line coach Gary Emanuel coached the defensive line at Syracuse from 1991-93 as well.
Tough Schedule
In the latest NCAA schedule rankings, Rutgers has played the 14th-toughest schedule in the nation and toughest schedule in the BIG EAST in 2008. Rutgers' past opponents are 43-29 this season.
Best Four-Year Run in BIG EAST Play
The 2008 senior class for Rutgers is 16-11 in BIG EAST play over the last four seasons with one game remaining in league play.
The 16 wins are the most over a four-year span in Rutgers' BIG EAST history.
This year's winning record in the league marks the fourth time since joining the BIG EAST in 1991 that Rutgers will finish with a winning record. Head coach Greg Schiano has guided three of the squads with winning records in league play - 2005 (4-3), 2006 (5-2) and 2008 (4-2).
Lighting Up the Scoreboard on the Road
Rutgers has totaled its two-highest point totals in school history in BIG EAST road games in 2008 with 54 points in the victory at Pittsburgh (Oct. 25) and 49 points scored in the win at USF (Nov. 15).
Rutgers scored more points at USF (49) than any other team vs. the Bulls in Tampa and the 33-point differential was the most lopsided result for the Bulls at home.
Most Points Scored in a BIG EAST Road Game
54 at Pittsburgh (10-25-08) W
49 at USF (11-15-08) W
42 at Virginia Tech (10-23-93) L
38 at Syracuse (10-13-07) W
38 at Louisville (11-29-07) L
Takeaways Key to Victory
In Rutgers' five wins this season, the Scarlet Knights have forced 13 turnovers (6 interceptions, 7 fumble recoveries). In stark contrast, Rutgers has not recorded a takeaway in its five losses in 2008.
Offensive Explosion
Rutgers has scored 138 points in its last three BIG EAST games, the most by a Scarlet Knight team over a three-game stretch in BIG EAST play. The Scarlet Knights posted a season-high 54 points in a 54-34 victory at Pittsburgh and one week later tallied 35 in a 35-17 triumph over Syracuse. In the USF victory, RU had 49 points.
In Rutgers' 54-34 victory at No. 17 Pittsburgh on Oct. 25, the Scarlet Knights secured their first road victory over a ranked team since Sept. 24, 1988 at No. 15/13 Penn State (21-16 win).
Rutgers' 54 points at Pittsburgh was the second-best point total in BIG EAST play for the Scarlet Knights.
The 54 points scored were the most points scored against a nationally-ranked opponent on the road in Rutgers' history.
BIG EAST Notes
Rutgers leads the BIG EAST in conference games only in six statistical categories. The Scarlet Knights are tops in the league in conference play in pass offense (258.2), pass efficiency (144.5), first downs (113), sacks (19), red zone defense (11-of-16, 68.8%) and third-down conversions (44.6%).
The Scarlet Knights are second in scoring offense (29.5 ppg), scoring defense (19.0 ppg) and red zone offense (17-of-19, 89.5%).
Below are some of Rutgers' individual leaders in conference play:
Category Player (Avg./Rank)
Receiving yards per game Kenny Britt (122.0/1st)
Receptions per game Kenny Britt (7.8/1st)
Scoring per game Kenny Britt (5.0/4th)
Sacks Ryan D'Imperio (4.5/T-2nd)
Punting Teddy Dellaganna (44.0/4th)
Forced fumbles Zaire Kitchen (2/T-3rd)
Kick return average Jason McCourty (25.3/3rd)
Passing yards per game Mike Teel (244.7/1st)
Pass efficiency Mike Teel (144.4/1st)
Total offense Mike Teel (235.5/2nd)
Sacks Jamaal Westerman (4.5/T-2nd)
| TEEL |
Man of Teel
Senior QB Mike Teel was named the BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week and USA Today's National Player of the Week for his six-touchdown performance in the victory at Pittsburgh on Oct. 25.
Teel threw for a career-high 361 yards and a school record six touchdowns. He became the first player in BIG EAST history to throw five touchdown passes in the first half in a league game.
Teel was only the fourth player in BIG EAST history to throw six touchdowns in a BIG EAST game. He finished the first half 12-for-15 for 311 yards and five touchdowns with one interception.
Britt in the Running for Biletnikoff Award
Junior WR Kenny Britt is putting up sensational numbers to merit strong consideration for the Biletnikoff Award and All-America honors at wide receiver. Britt leads the BIG EAST in receiving yards per game (110.4) and receptions per game (7.6).
He ranks third nationally in receiving yards per game and seventh in the Football Bowl Subdivision in receptions per game. He is one of two players nationally from a BCS conference (joining Texas Tech WR Michael Crabtree) to rank in the top 10 in the two respective categories.
Over the current four-game winning streak for the Scarlet Knights, Britt has put together some mind-boggling numbers. The New Jersey native has hauled in 31 receptions for 530 yards (17.1 yards per reception) and five touchdowns. He is averaging 7.75 receptions per game and 132.5 receiving yards per game during the streak.
Here is a comparison this season statistically between Britt and Crabtree, the only two players in the nation to average over 100 yards receiving per game and over seven receptions per game from a BCS conference:
Britt Crabtree
Receptions per game 7.6 7.8
Receiving yards per game 110.4 101.0
Touchdowns per game 0.5 1.8
Longest reception 93 82
| BRITT |
1,000 for KB
Kenny Britt needs just six receiving yards to become the first player in RU history with two consecutive seasons with 1,000 yards receiving. He would also become the first player in school history to post two, 1,000-yard receiving seasons in a career.
The Century Club
Kenny Britt became Rutgers' all-time leader in career 100-yard receiving games in 2008. Britt has 12 career 100-yard games, including his eight-reception, 173-yard performance in the 49-16 victory at USF Nov.15.
Eight of Britt's 12 career 100-yard receiving games have come away from Piscataway.
Britt is third in BIG EAST history in 100-yard receiving games,
BIG EAST Career 100-Yard Game Receiving Leaders
Total Player, School
14 Larry Fitzgerald, Pittsburgh (2002-03)
13 Antonio Bryant, Pittsburgh (1999-01)
12 Kenny Britt, Rutgers (2006--present)
11 Greg Lee, Pittsburgh (2003-05)
Marvin Harrison, Syracuse (1992-95)
Britt's 100-yard receiving performances
Date Rec.-Yards-TD Opponent
10-13-07 6-176-1 at Syracuse
11-15-08 8-173-1 at USF
11-29-07 12-173-2 at Louisville
10-4-08 12-151-0 at West Virginia
10-25-08 5-143-3 at #17 Pittsburgh
1-5-08 6-125-1 vs. Ball State^
11-3-07 8-122-0 at #16 Connecticut
9-15-07 4-121-2 Norfolk State
12-2-06 10-119-0 at #15 West Virginia
9-11-08 8-109-0 North Carolina
11-8-08 9-107-1 Syracuse
10-18-08 9-107-0 Connecticut
^ in Toronto, Ontario (International Bowl)
Britt Continues Assault on Record Books
Kenny Britt is Rutgers' all-time career leader with 2,666 career receiving yards.
Britt owns the single-season school record with 1,232 receiving yards set in 2007. Britt is fourth in Rutgers' career annals with 159 receptions and fourth with 15 career touchdown receptions.
He has also caught a pass in 28 straight games, the ninth longest streak in the BIG EAST.
Rutgers Career Receiving Yards Leaders
1. Kenny Britt (2006-present) 2,666
2. Tres Moses (2001-05) 2,522
Rutgers Career Reception Leaders
1. Brian Leonard (2003-06) 207
2. Tres Moses (2001-05) 192
3. Marco Battaglia (1992-95) 171
4. Kenny Britt (2006-present) 159
Rutgers Career Touchdown Reception Leaders
1. Chris Brantley (1990-93) 17
2. Marco Battaglia (1992-95) 16
Tres Moses (2001-05) 16
4. Kenny Britt (2006-present) 15
Britt in the Active Career Rankings
Kenny Britt is fourth among Football Bowl Subdivision active players with a career average of 16.8 yards per reception. He is also fourth among active players nationally in receiving yards per game (86.0), 10th in career receiving yards (2,666) and 16th in receptions per game (5.1).
Britt Looking to Join Elite Company in the BIG EAST
Kenny Britt is just 338 yards shy of the BIG EAST all-time record for career receiving yards. Currently, Britt is fifth in conference history with 2,666 career receiving yards. He needs just 63 yards to move into fourth place on the conference's all-time chart, past former Pitt WR Larry Fitzgerald.
BIG EAST Receiving Yardage Leaders
1. Dietrich Jells, Pittsburgh (1991-95) 3,003
2. Harry Douglas, Louisville (2005-07) 2,881
3. Antonio Bryant, Pittsburgh (1999-01) 2,805
4. Larry Fitzgerald, Pittsburgh (2002-03) 2,728
5. Kenny Britt, Rutgers (2006-present) 2,666
Britt also ranks in the BIG EAST record books in:
• Receptions per game - season (7.6/1st)
• Yards per game - season (110.4/4th)
• Receptions - career (68/T-10th)
Sack the Quarterback
Rutgers sacked Syracuse's quarterbacks a season-high five times in the 35-17 victory over the Orange. The Scarlet Knights lead the BIG EAST in conference play with 18 sacks in six games in 2008.
After totaling just three sacks through the first three games of the season, Rutgers has posted 21 sacks over the last seven games of the year.
Getting Defensive
Rutgers limited Morgan State to 109 yards of total offense on Sept. 27, the fewest yards ever allowed by a Rutgers squad under Greg Schiano. The Scarlet Knights limited the Bears to eight first downs and 32 yards rushing in the 38-0 victory.
Rutgers yielded just 168 yards in the win over Syracuse on Nov. 8. The 168 yards allowed was the ninth-lowest showing under Schiano. It marked the second-lowest total vs. a BIG EAST opponent during Schiano's tenure for the Scarlet Knights. Syracuse totaled 82 yards on one play - Doug Hogue's touchdown - in the first quarter.
Fewest Total Yards Allowed During Schiano Era
Date Opponent Total Yards Allowed
9-27-08 Morgan State* 109
9-16-06 Ohio 119
9-15-07 Norfolk State* 122
9-9-06 Illinois* 126
11-26-05 Cincinnati 146
11-9-07 at Army 152
10-14-06 at Navy* 161
12-28-06 Kansas State (Texas Bowl) 162
11-8-08 Syracuse 168
9-23-06 Howard 172
11-25-06 Syracuse 191
11-29-03 Syracuse 198
* Shutout victory
Inside the Numbers
During Rutgers' current four-game winning streak, the Scarlet Knights have outscored the opposition 150-77 and are averaging 410 total yards of offense per game. Here are some other notes during the streak:
• Rutgers is 13-of-15 in the red zone (87%) while limiting the opposition to just 6-for-11 in the red zone (55%)
• Rutgers has 15 sacks
• Rutgers is converting 55% of third-down conversions while the opponent has been held to a 35% conversion rate on third downs
• Rutgers has been penalized just 41.0 yards per game
• Rutgers has scored touchdowns in the red zone on 12-of-15 trips while the opposition has been held to touchdowns in the red zone on 4-of-11 visits
• Rutgers is averaging 289.8 passing yards per game and 120.2 rushing yards
• Mike Teel is averaging 280.8 passing yards per game and has completed 64.7% of his passes, including 12 touchdown passes
What Can Brown Do for You?
Junior WR Tim Brown has given the Rutgers offense the big play in 2008 and throughout his career. The Miami native leads the team with 17.0 yards per reception and is second on the squad with four receiving touchdowns.
He has nine career touchdown receptions and has averaged 36.2 yards per TD catch over his career.
For his career, Brown has 55 receptions for 934 yards and nine touchdowns. Nearly 20 percent of the time Brown has caught a pass it has gone for a touchdown.
| YOUNG |
Kordell Carries the Load
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 94 yards on 26 carries in the season-opener vs. Fresno State.
He missed the next four games due to a sore knee before returning for the Cincinnati game.
Young started at UC and led all RU players with 78 yards rushing. He also threw the first touchdown pass of his career on a 17-yard TD pass to Jack Corcoran.
Young posted his first career 100-yard game with a career-best 143 yards on a career-high 29 carries and one touchdown in the 35-17 victory vs. Syracuse. Young finished the day with 170 yards of total offense, another career-high for the New Jersey native. For his efforts vs. the Orange, Young was named BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week.
Slowing Down the Nation's Best
The Rutgers defense held the nation's leading rusher in Connecticut's Donald Brown to 107 rushing yards on 27 attempts, including just seven yards in the second half on Oct. 18. It was his lowest output of the season by 39 yards and was 70.8 yards below his per game average.
The game vs. UConn also marked the second time in 2008 Rutgers played against the nation's leading rusher. On Sept. 20 at Navy, the Scarlet Knights faced that week's national leading rusher in Shun White of Navy, who was held to 85 yards.
| D'IMPERIO |
D'Imperio Manning the Middle
Junior MLB Ryan D'Imperio has manned the middle of the Rutgers' defense in 2008 and has been one of the team's top defenders. He is sixth in the BIG EAST with 7.2 tackles per game. D'Imperio recorded 11 tackles in the 12-10 victory over Connecticut on Oct. 18 and was named the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts.
On the season, D'Imperio is second on the team with 72 tackles. He recorded a career-high three sacks in the win at USF Nov. 15.
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.
| MALAST |
34 On the Tackle
Senior LB Kevin Malast has been as steady as they come in the BIG EAST at linebacker since becoming a starter in 2007. After finishing second on the team with 92 tackles as a junior, Malast leads RU and is third in the BIG EAST in tackles in 2008. He has 77 tackles on the season.
Malast led all players in the Fresno State game with nine tackles and has posted at least seven stops in eight games this season.
Welcome to Rutgers
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)
Art Forst Fr. RG (starter)
Patrick Kivlehan Fr. DB (special teams)
Al-Ghaffaar Lane R-Fr. LB (special teams)
Eric LeGrand Fr. DE/FB
Joe Martinek R-Fr. RB
Marlon Romulus R-So. OL
David Rowe Fr. DB
Caleb Ruch R-Fr. RG (starter)
San San Te R-Fr. PK (starter)
Wayne Thomas R-Fr. DL (special teams)
Scott Vallone Fr. DL
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 seven, 300-yard passing games.
The senior from Oakland, N.J. is 26-13 as Rutgers' starting quarterback. He has started 36 consecutive games under center.
| TVERDOV |
Tough Up the Middle
Senior captain and DT Pete Tverdov is one of the team's defensive anchors in 2008. He is fourth in the BIG EAST in tackles for loss per game with 1.2 TFLs per contest. Tverdov has recorded a TFL in all nine games he has played in this season.
Dating back to 2007, Tverdov has registered a TFL in 12 straight games.
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.
Block Party
Junior CB Devin McCourty has been one of the team's top special teams standouts throughout his career. McCourty has blocked four career kicks, including the third punt block of his career vs. Navy on Sept. 20. All four of McCourty's blocked kicks have led to Rutgers touchdowns.
McCourty has also scored two touchdowns in his career on a pair of interception returns. He returned a pick 36 yards for a touchdown vs. Cincinnati in 2007 and returned an INT 38 yards for a score his freshman year in 2006 vs. Illinois.
Return to Sender
In his 44th career game at Rutgers, senior CB Jason McCourty intercepted the first pass of his career and returned the pick 30 yards for a touchdown in the 49-16 win at USF Nov. 15. He joined his twin brother Devin in returning the first interception of his career for a touchdown. Devin returned his first career INT in 2006 vs. Illinois for a touchdown.
Jason McCourty wasted little time as he collected his second career INT in the second half vs. the Bulls.
In addition, he returned a kickoff for a career-long 59 yards to setup a touchdown.
| MARTINEK |
Wild Knight
Redshirt freshman RB Joe Martinek debuted at quarterback and took the direct snap vs. Syracuse and rumbled 45 yards for a touchdown. Martinek finished with two carries for 51 yards after taking a direct snap.
One week later, Martinek ran wild vs. the Bulls of USF. The freshman collected career-highs in rushing yards (98), attempts (21) and touchdowns (2) in the win.
On the season, Martinek is averaging an impressive 5.9 yards per carry.
Martinek was the 2006 Gatorade New Jersey State Player of the Year and is the all-time leading rusher in New Jersey high school football history with 7,589 rushing yards and 80 touchdowns.
He finished his high school career as the No. 38 rusher in high school history with 7,589 rushing yards.
Martinek also made one of the season's best special teams plays with a tackle on UConn's opening kickoff return of the second half, tackling the kick returner at the one-yard line.
| KITCHEN |
Comeback in the Kitchen
Junior SS Zaire Kitchen has been one of the best stories of the season for the Scarlet Knights. Kitchen has overcome three ACL surgeries during his career, including two at Rutgers, and has made it all the way back into the starting lineup Sept. 20 at Navy.
Kitchen played in nine games in 2007 before his season was cut short with a torn ACL against Pittsburgh. During his freshman campaign in 2006, Kitchen played in 11 games before an ACL injury ended his year prematurely.
Kitchen led a stingy RU defense with a career-high seven tackles and a game-changing sack and forced fumble in the Syracuse victory. With the score tied at 14 in the third quarter, Kitchen sacked SU QB Cameron Dantley and forced a fumble, which RU recovered and led to a touchdown. It marked the second straight game Kitchen forced a fumble in the third quarter of a league win which led to a RU touchdown on the ensuing drive.
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 17 times, including three games with negative yards rushing.
Ten times during Schiano's tenure as defensive coordinator, the Rutgers defense has yielded less than 200 yards of total offense to an opponent.
Below is a breakdown of the yardage totals for some of the BIG EAST's top rushing leaders vs. Rutgers in 2008:
Player National/BIG EAST Rushing Avg. vs. RU
Ranking Per Game
D. Brown 1/1 156.2 107
L. McCoy 13/2 115.9 146
C. Brinkley 19/4 107.3 67
N. Devine 18/3 107.4 55
P. White 60/6 73.3 59
Teel in the Record Books
Mike Teel has a chance to own Rutgers' all-time records for career passing yards, career total offense and career touchdowns.
Career Passing Yards
1. Ryan Hart (2002-05) 8,482
2. Mike Teel (2005-present) 8,258
Career Touchdowns
1. Ryan Hart (2002-05) 52
2. Mike Teel (2005-present) 49
Career Attempts
1. Ryan Hart (2002-05) 1,217
2. Scott Erney (1986-89) 1,128
3. Mike Teel (2005-present) 1,046
Career Completions
1. Ryan Hart (2002-05) 735
2. Scott Erney (1986-89) 614
3. Mike Teel (2005-present) 595
Career Yards of Total Offense
1. Ryan Hart (2002-05) 8,149
2. Mike Teel (2005-present) 8,053
| WESTERMAN |
Racking Up The Sacks
Senior DE Jamaal Westerman is tied for third in school history with 26 career sacks. He leads RU with 6.0 sacks in 2008. Westerman has a sack in four of the last five games.
Career Sacks
1. Nate Toran (1973-76) 52
2. Dan Gray (1975-77) 29
3. Dino Mangiero (1976-79) 26
Jamaal Westerman (2005-present) 26
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 48 consecutive games and is fourth in Rutgers history with 367 career tackles.
| GREENE |
Career Tackle Leaders
1. Tyronne Stowe (1983-86) 533
2. Jim Dumont (1979-83) 448
3. Brian Sheridan (1993-97) 389
4. Courtney Greene (2005-present) 367
Rutgers in the NFL
As of Nov. 2, 14 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 14 players currently in the NFL from Rutgers, 13 were coached by Greg Schiano at Rutgers.
Gary Brackett (1999-02) Indianapolis
Eric Foster (2003-07) Indianapolis
Gary Gibson (2001-04) Carolina
Nate Jones (2000-03) Miami
Brian Leonard (2003-06) St. Louis
Ryan Neill (2001-02, 04-05) Buffalo
Shaun O'Hara (1997-99) N.Y. Giants
Joe Porter (2003-06) Green Bay
Brandon Renkart (2003-06) N.Y. Jets
Ray Rice (2005-07) Baltimore
Derrick Roberson (2003-06) Baltimore
L.J. Smith (1999-02) Philadelphia
Darnell Stapleton (2005-06) Pittsburgh
Jeremy Zuttah (2004-07) Tampa Bay
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.
