Scarlet Knights Game Preview - Syracuse
Nov 16 | Football
#25 RUTGERS (7-2, 2-2 BIG EAST) at SYRACUSE (3-7, 0-5 BIG EAST)
Saturday, November 21, 3:30 p.m.
Carrier Dome Syracuse, N.Y.
Rankings: Rutgers (#25-AP, RV-Coaches)
Syracuse (Not Ranked)
Series Record: Syracuse leads 28-10-1
Last Meeting: Rutgers 35, Syracuse 17
Television: None
Internet: ESPN360.com
Radio: Rutgers Football Radio Network
Affiliates: WOR 710-AM (New York City); WPHT 1210-AM (Philadelphia/South Jersey); WCTC 1450-AM (Central Jersey)
Live Statistics: ScarletKnights.com
Student Radio: WRSU 88.7 FM
Satellite Radio: Satellite Radio: Sirius 158
Rutgers (7-2, 2-2 BIG EAST), ranked No. 25 in this week's Associated Press Top 25 poll, looks for its 15th victory over its last 17 games as the Scarlet Knights travel to Syracuse (3-7, 0-5 BIG EAST) for a BIG EAST Conference game vs. the Orange. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. with live coverage on the Internet at ESPN360.com.
Rutgers moved into the AP Top 25 and became bowl-eligible for the fifth consecutive season with a 31-0 victory over then 23rd-ranked USF Thursday night in Piscataway.
The Rutgers Radio Network has pre-game coverage at 2:30 p.m. Chris Carlin, Ray Lucas and Anthony Fucilli will call the action on WOR-710 AM in New York City, WCTC-1450 AM in Central Jersey and WPEN-1210 AM in Philadelphia and South Jersey.
Inside the Rutgers-Syracuse Series
Despite trailing the all-time series 28-10-1 to Syracuse, Rutgers has won four consecutive games vs. the Orange in impressive fashion. Over the current four-game winning streak vs. the Orange, Rutgers has outscored Syracuse 142-47. In addition, the Scarlet Knights have scored 30 or more points vs. Syracuse in five straight games.
The four-game winning streak is the longest for Rutgers in the series that began in 1914.
With a win Saturday, Rutgers would have earned its first three-game winning streak in the Carrier Dome. Overall, the Scarlet Knights have won five of the previous six games vs. Syracuse.
Coming of Age
For a program that lost six players from last season's team that are on active NFL rosters in 2009, Rutgers has started the season 7-2.
The Scarlet Knights have 20 players on their current two-deep roster with two or more years of eligibility remaining, including eight freshmen. Two true freshmen are in the starting lineup in QB Tom Savage and WR Mohamed Sanu.
Rutgers has just 12 scholarship seniors on the 2009 roster.
Best Start Since 2006
Rutgers is off to its best start since 2006 and has the opportunity to record 10 wins in a season for just the third time in 140 years of football "On the Banks." The Scarlet Knights were 9-0 after nine games in 2006 en route to an 11-2 season.
Rutgers has started the season with seven or more wins in its first nine games 17 times in school history.
New York State of Mind
Rutgers has won nine consecutive games vs. teams from the State of New York.
During the nine-game winning streak, Rutgers has outscored the Empire State opponents 295-72. Rutgers has scored at least 31 points in seven of the nine games, while only allowing double-figures in points in three games.
Rutgers has 15 New York natives on its roster, the most players from any state other than New Jersey on the team. Two starters for the Scarlet Knight defense hail from the Empire State - Nanuet's Devin McCourty and Central Islip's Scott Vallone.
Three members of the Rutgers coaching staff have direct ties to New York. Assistant head coach/co-offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Kyle Flood is a native of Bayside, played collegiately at Iona and coached at C.W. Post and Hofstra.
Co-defensive coordinator/secondary coach Ed Pinkham served for 10 seasons on the staff at Colgate in Hamilton, N.Y. 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.
| SAVAGE |
Savage Among True Freshmen QB Leaders
Tom Savage is one of nine true freshmen quarterbacks to serve as the primary starter in the Football Bowl Subdivision.
Savage ranks first nationally among all true freshmen quarterbacks in:
• Winning percentage as starter: 6-1 (.857)
• Passing Efficiency: 134.82
• Touchdown to interception ratio: 5:1
Savage is also Rutgers' single-season record holder for a true freshman quarterback in the following categories:
• Winning percentage as starter: 6-1 (.857)
• Wins as a starter: 6
• Touchdown passes: 10
• Passing Yards: 1,535
2009 True freshman QB starters (sorted by passing yards per game)
1. Matt Barkley - Southern California
GP C-A-I Pct. Yards TD Long Avg./G
8 146-252-10 57.9 2,035 11 75 226.1
2. Spencer Keith - Kent State
GP C-A-I Pct. Yards TD Long Avg./G
9 150-263-10 57.0 1,915 13 58 212.8
3. Nick Florence - Baylor
GP C-A-I Pct. Yards TD Long Avg./G
8 144-235-7 61.3 1,609 6 59 201.1
4. Tom Savage - Rutgers
GP C-A-I Pct. Yards TD Long Avg./G
8 109-198-2 55.1 1,535 10 81 191.1
5. Tate Forcier - Michigan
GP C-A-I Pct. Yards TD Long Avg./G
11 142-243-6 58.4 1,824 12 76 165.8
6. Patrick Nicely - Akron
GP C-A-I Pct. Yards TD Long Avg./G
6 87-172-4 50.6 973 4 59 162.2
7. Austyn Carta-Samuels - Wyoming
GP C-A-I Pct. Yards TD Long Avg./G
10 157-264-3 59.5 1,532 7 54 153.2
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
10 40-75-1 53.3 473 3 34 47.3
Protecting the Pigskin
Rutgers is +29 in turnover differential over its last 16 games (14-2). The Scarlet Knights have gained 29 turnovers this season, including at least one in every game. In total, Rutgers has forced a turnover in 15 straight games.
Rutgers leads the nation in turnover differential (2.33).
In 2009, Rutgers is +21 in turnover differential (29 turnovers, 8 giveaways).
Over the last 16 games, Rutgers has gained a total of 46 turnovers.
14-2
Rutgers has won 14 of its last 16 games, dating back to the 2008 season. The Scarlet Knights are 6-0 on the road during the streak.
Over the last 16 games, Rutgers has held eight 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 history in a regular season game. The seven first downs for USF were also a program low.
Unfriendly Visitors on the Road
Rutgers has the chance to finish with its fifth undefeated season in school history on the road with wins at Syracuse and Louisville to close out the 2009 road schedule for the Scarlet Knights. Rutgers has won six consecutive games away from Rutgers Stadium, dating back to last season.
Rutgers' last loss on the road was a 13-10 setback to Cincinnati on Oct. 11, 2008.
Undefeated Road Seasons in School History
1958 4-0
1960 5-0
1961 5-0
1976 4-0
The Turnover Story
Rutgers has turned the ball over just eight times through nine games, including five turnovers over the previous eight games. During Greg Schiano's nine-year tenure, the eight turnovers are the fewest amount for Rutgers through nine games.
Defensively, the Scarlet Knights have gained 29 turnovers through nine games. The 29 turnovers already rank as the second-highest season total under Schiano.
Turnovers During the Schiano Era
Year Season Total Through 9 Games
2009 - 8
2008 20 12
2007 25 17
2006 20 15
2005 23 12
2004 35 26
2003 29 20
2002 38 23
2001 42 35
Turnovers Gained During the Schiano Era
Year Season Total Through 9 Games
2009 - 29
2008 21 6
2007 19 10
2006 31 21
2005 20 16
2004 28 20
2003 23 20
2002 25 14
2001 20 15
A Continuing Trend
Rutgers is on track to allow under four yards per rush for the fourth time in five seasons. While three games remain in the season, Rutgers' opponents have averaged just 3.1 yards per rush on 288 attempts through nine games.
Against the Run Under Schiano
Year Attempts Yards Yards Per Carry
2009 288 884 3.1
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
Defense Leads The Way
Rutgers is ranked first in the BIG EAST in rushing defense, total defense and scoring defense. The Scarlet Knights are also second in the league in sacks and tackles-for-loss.
The 2009 defense compares favorably to one of the best defenses in school history. Below is a comparison of the 2006 defense and the 2009 defense for Rutgers:
Year Category National Rank BIG EAST Rank Total
2006 Rushing Defense 17 2 101.0
2009 Rushing Defense 12 1 98.2
2006 Total Defense 4 1 252.2
2009 Total Defense 16 1 304.7
2006 Scoring Defense 8 1 14.3
2009 Scoring Defense 11 1 15.6
2006 Sacks 5 2 3.2
2009 Sacks 4 1 3.2
2006 Tackles-for-loss 5 2 7.9
2009 Tackles-for-loss 4 1 8.3
National Leader in Turnover Margin
Rutgers leads the nation in turnover margin (+2.33) per game. The Scarlet Knights have gained 16 fumbles and 13 interceptions in 2009. The 16 fumbles gained are the second-highest total in the nation, trailing only Houston (17).
NCAA Turnover Margin Leaders
Team Fumbles Gained Interceptions Gained Total Turnover Margin
1. Rutgers 16 13 29 2.33
2. Boise State 8 19 27 1.70
3. Air Force 13 12 25 1.64
4. Arkansas 13 10 23 1.20
5. Cincinnati 3 14 17 1.10
5. Texas 10 19 29 1.10
| BROWN |
Downtown to Brown
Tim Brown is one of the nation's top wide receivers in 2009. The Miami native is 10th nationally with 95.6 receiving yards per game. He is the only player in the nation to rank in the top 10 nationally in receiving yards per game and average over 20 yards per reception (21.5).
Brown is averaging a staggering 44.2 yards per touchdown reception in 2009 over his six scoring plays.
For his career, Brown's 17 career touchdowns have averaged 41.3 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 40 receptions for 860 yards in 2009. Brown also leads RU in yards per reception (21.5) and receiving yards per game (95.6).
Tim Brown Year-by-Year
Year GP Rec. Yards Avg. TD Yards Per Game
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 9 40 860 21.5 6 95.6
Touchdown Brown
Tim Brown is tied for first in school history with 17 career touchdown receptions. He is also seventh in RU history with 1,967 career receiving yards.
Labeled the "most dangerous deep threat in the BIG EAST" by Lindy's, Brown is second in school history with eight career 100-yard receiving games.
In 2009, 31 of Brown's 40 receptions have resulted in a first down or touchdown. On third downs, 14 of his 17 receptions have moved the chains.
Rutgers Career 100-Yard Receiving Game Leaders
1. Kenny Britt (2006-08) 14
2. Tim Brown (2006-present) 8
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. Jim Guarantano (1989-92) 2,065
6. Clark Harris (2003-06) 2,015
7. Tim Brown (2006-present) 1,967
8. Tiquan Underwood (2005-08) 1,931
Rutgers Career Receiving Touchdown Leaders
1. Kenny Britt (2006-08) 17
1. Chris Brantley (1990-93) 17
1. Tim Brown (2006-present) 17
3. Marco Battaglia (1992-95) 16
3. Tiquan Underwood (2005-08) 16
3. Marco Battaglia (1992-95) 16
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. 46-55 120
Greg Schiano 53-53 2001-present 106
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 38-18 in his last 56 games, including four 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- 5-1 2-1
Total 53-53 22-37
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.
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)
BIG EAST Shutouts Hard to Come By
For just the third time in 19 seasons, Rutgers posted a shutout in BIG EAST play with a 31-0 win over USF on Nov. 12. The only other two shutouts for Rutgers in BIG EAST play came against Temple. Rutgers shutout the Owls 62-0 on Oct. 2, 1993 and 41-0 on Nov. 16, 1991.
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.
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.
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 five players who have earned time at quarterback as true freshmen for the Scarlet Knights. Savage is 6-1 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 6-1 2-1
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 (37) and receiving yards (396). He finished with his second 100-yard game of the season with five receptions for a career-high 105 yards in the first half vs. No. 23 USF.
Balanced Ground Attack
Rutgers has four players on the 2009 roster with 100-yard games in their career, including three different 100-yard rushers this season.
It is the first time since the 2002 season that Rutgers has had a 100-yard rushing performance by three different running backs in the same season.
Joe Martinek, Jourdan Brooks, De'Antwan Williams and Kordell Young have each posted 100-yard games during their career. 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.
| MARTINEK |
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
De'Antwan Williams Texas Southern ('09) 19-132-1
Kordell Young Syracuse ('08) 29-143-1
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, including 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.
On the season, Martinek has rushed for 308 yards and four touchdowns in the fourth quarter of play. He averages 8.1 yards per carry in the fourth quarter.
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 his first eight seasons at the helm of the program, Schiano has guided Rutgers to four consecutive bowl games.
The Scarlet Knights are one of 31 teams to play in four consecutive bowls. Among BCS members, Rutgers is one of 21 schools to play in four straight bowl games and just one of three BIG EAST programs to play in four consecutive bowls (Rutgers, West Virginia, USF).
All-time, Rutgers is 3-2 in postseason play.
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.)
From Defense to Offense
Rutgers has scored a defensive touchdown in three games in 2009.
With the first-quarter interception return for a touchdown by David Rowe vs. Texas Southern, Rutgers has four defensive touchdowns in its first seven games this season - the most since 2006, when RU posted four defensive touchdowns in 13 games.
The Scarlet Knights have six starters on defense who have scored touchdowns in their career. Senior CB Devin McCourty leads the way with two touchdowns.
Devin McCourty 2 INT TD returns
Ryan D'Imperio 1 INT TD return
George Johnson 1 Fumble TD return
Joe Lefeged 1 Fumble TD return
Antonio Lowery 1 INT return
David Rowe 1 INT TD return
Finding His Home at DT - and on Special Teams
Sophomore defensive tackle Eric LeGrand has come into his own this season for the Scarlet Knights. After playing defensive end, defensive tackle and fullback as a true freshman in 2008, LeGrand has been one of the team's top defensive linemen in 2009 with 24 tackles, including 4.5 TFLs.
A versatile athlete, he also leads the team with 10 tackles on kickoff coverage in 2009.
| 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 six career kicks and scored three touchdowns (two interception returns and one kickoff return).
At cornerback, he leads Rutgers with 56 tackles.
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. He was named BIG EAST Special Teams Player of the Week for his efforts in the win at UConn.
Active Backers
As with any standout defense, the linebacking unit is always a key part and the 2009 linebackers for Rutgers have played at a high level the entire season. Seniors Ryan D'Imperio and Damaso Munoz along with junior Antonio Lowery have been the three primary linebackers in every game this season.
The trio have combined for 148 tackles, four sacks, three interceptions and two touchdowns scored. Munoz is second on the team with 52 tackles while D'Imperio and Lowery are tied for third with 48 tackles.
