Scarlet Knights Game Preview - Cincinnati
Nov 16 | Football
RUTGERS (4-5, 1-3
) at CINCINNATI (3-6, 1-3)
Saturday, November 20 • 7:30 p.m. • ESPN Regional
Nippert Stadium (35,000)
Cincinnati, Ohio
Series Tied 7-7-1
TV: ESPN Regional (SNY, ESPN GamePlan PPV) Trey Bender (play-by-play) Jarod Cherry (color)
Internet Broadcast: ESPN3.com
Radio: Rutgers Radio Network
WOR-710 AM (New York City)
97.5 FM The Fanatic (Philadelphia)
WCTC-1450 AM (New Brunswick)
Chris Carlin (play-by-play), Ray Lucas (color), Anthony Fucilli (sideline)
Satellite Radio: Sirius 90
The Game
Rutgers travels to the Queen City in search of its first victory at Cincinnati since 1987 Saturday night at Nippert Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
ESPN Regional will produce the game with SNY providing local coverage. Trey Bender (play-by-play) and Jarod Cherry (color analyst) have the call. The game is also available nationally on ESPN GamePlan PPV and on the Internet at ESPN3.com.
The Rutgers Radio Network begins pre-game coverage at 6:30 p.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 97.5 FM The Fanatic in Philadelphia and South Jersey.
The Rutgers Radio Network feed is available nationally on Sirius Satellite Radio channel 90. 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 (59-60).
Schiano will tie former West Virginia head coach Rich Rodriguez for fourth place in BIG EAST history in coaching victories with one more win.
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 Cincinnati are not ranked in the Associated Press and USA Today Coaches Top 25 polls.
Cincinnati Series
While Rutgers has not won at Cincinnati since 1987, the Scarlet Knights have only played four games at Nippert Stadium since their last win in Cincinnati. All-time, the series is tied 7-7-1 with the Bearcats the victors in the last four meetings. The last Rutgers victory in the series was in 2005 (44-9). Rutgers opened the 1987 season on Sept. 5 and came away with a 10-7 victory over Cincinnati at Nippert Stadium. Ohio native Henry Henderson rushed for 199 yards on 24 carries - the best day by a Rutgers running back in 14 seasons at the time - as Rutgers rushed for 314 yards in the victory.
Greg Schiano is 1-4 all-time vs. Cincinnati.
Up Next
Rutgers closes out its 2010 home schedule on Black Friday as the Scarlet Knights host Louisville on Nov. 26. The game will be televised by ESPN2 at 11 a.m.
LeGrand Injured in Army Victory
Rutgers junior defensive tackle Eric LeGrand suffered a spinal cord injury in the fourth quarter vs. Army. The injury was at the C3-C4 level and emergency surgery was performed by doctors throughout the 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."
LeGrand is now at the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, one of the nation's leaders in spinal cord rehabilitation, in West Orange, N.J. The LeGrand family requests that the media respect their privacy at this time as he transitions to this next phase of care and treatment.
The "Eric LeGrand Believe Fund" has been established to assist the family. For more information, please visit www.ScarletKnights.com/Believe.
Inside the Cincinnati Series
Series tied, 7-7-1 (h:6-2, a:1-5-1)
1980 hW 24-7
1981 aL 0-10
1983 aL 7-18
1984 hW 43-15
1986 hW 48-28
1987 aW 10-7
1988 hW 38-9
1989 aT 17-17
1992 aL 24-26
1994 hW 14-9
2005 hW 44-9
2006 aL 11-30
2007 hL 23-28
2008 aL 10-13
2009 hL 15-47
A Game of Inches
Four of Rutgers' five losses this season have been decided by a total of 11 points. The Scarlet Knights have lost three striaght games in league play, including two consecutive heartbreaking contests - 28-27 at USF and 13-10 at home to Syracuse last week.
Last season, Rutgers lost by a combined 62 points in its four defeats. In 2010, the Scarlet Knights have lost by a combined total of 31 points in their five defeats.
Runs Like a Deer
Freshman WR Jeremy Deering has turned into the Scarket Knights' best option on the ground over the last three games.
Deering posted career-highs in rushes (29) and rushing yards (166) and matched his career-long run (22) out of the Wild Knight vs. Syracuse. He has carried the ball 38 times for 235 yards in his last two games for an average of 6.2 yards per carry.
The 29 rushing attempts were the most by a Scarlet Knight since Ray Rice's 35 attempts vs. Ball State in the International Bowl (1/5/08).
Deering recorded his first career rushing touchdown with a 19-yard run in the third quarter against Syracuse.
He also caught one pass for 10 yards and completed his first career pass for five yards against the Orange.
Deering's Last Three Games
Opponent Carries Yards Yards per Carry
USF 9 69 7.7
Syracuse 29 166 5.7
Total 38 235 6.2
In Rare Company
Jeremy Deering rushed for the most yards in a single-game by a non-running back in school history with his 166-yard performance as the Wild Knight quarterback vs. Syracuse.
He broke Mohamed Sanu's school record for rushing yards in a single-game by a non-running back after his 148-yard contest last season at Louisville.
Deering became the fourth player in the Greg Schiano era to rush for at least 165 yards in a game.
Lefeged Named a Semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award
Joe Lefeged has been named one of 10 semifinalists for the Jim Thorpe Award, an honor given annually to the nation's top defensive back. The Germantown, Md., product has been all over the field on defense and special teams this season and was named a Mid-Season All-America by Phil Steele.
The Maryland product is second on the squad with 64 tackles and leads Rutgers with five pass breakups. He has also forced a team-best three fumbles in 2010.
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.
Attack the Quarterback
Rutgers entered the Syracuse contest with just seven sacks on the season, but the Scarlet Knights totaled a season-high six sacks vs. the Orange. Seven players combined to record sacks in the game, led by senior DE Alex Silvestro's 1.5 sacks.
In addition, Rutgers totaled six quarterback hurries and a season-high 10 tackles-for-loss.
On Target
Rutgers true freshman QB Chas Dodd set a single-game record for completion percentage by a QB during the Greg Schiano by going 19-of-22 passing for 139 yards Nov. 3 at USF.
He completed 86.4% of his passes vs. the Bulls, topping the previous single-game record for completion percentage under Schiano set by Ryan Hart in 2005 vs. Navy.
Top Single-Game Completion Percentage Games
QB C-A Pct. Yards TD Opponent (Date)
C. Dodd 19-22 86.4 139 0 at USF (11-3-10)
R. Hart 18-21 85.7 221 0 Navy (10-29-05)
J. Gagliardi 13-16 81.3 116 2 Colgate (11-16-85)
M. Teel 21-26 80.8 447 7 Louisville (12-4-08)
The Comeback Kid
Chas Dodd has rallied the Scarlet Knights in the fourth quarter for two victories this season. Even more impressive, the two fourth quarter comebacks came in Dodd's first two career starts.
Dodd was 16-of-22 (72.7%) passing for 285 yards and three touchdowns in the victories over UConn and Army 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
Harrison Equals TD Streak
Sophomore WR Mark Harrison became the second player in the Greg Schiano era to record a touchdown reception in four straight games earlier this season. Harrison caught a touchdown pass vs. UConn, Army, Pittsburgh and USF.
Over the last five games, Harrison has caught 20 passes for 371 yards with four scores. He is averaging 74.2 yards per game and 18.5 yards per reception over the last five contests.
Harrison in 2010
First four games
5 receptions, 70 yards, 17.5 yards per game, 0 TD
Last five games
20 receptions, 371 yards, 74,2 yards per game, 4 TD
Determined Deering
Jeremy Deering has shown why he was one of the nation's most sought-after recruits in 2010. The Tampa native has been a threat for the Scarlet Knights both at WR and at QB in the Wild Knight formation.
Deering leads the team in yards per reception (19.9) and yards per carry (5.5). On the season, he has 13 receptions for 259 yards and one touchdown. He is third on the team in both receptions and receiving yards.
On the ground, Deering has 268 rushing yards on 49 carries. In his return to his hometown of Tampa vs. USF, Deering rushed for a then-career-high 69 yards on nine carries.
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 at the time of the game.
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
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 November
Rutgers is 11-22 overall under Greg Schiano in the month of November. Over the last five years - all seasons that concluded with bowl appearances - Rutgers is 10-8 (.556) in November, including a 5-3 mark over the last three years.
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 0-2
Total 11-22
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 15th nationally (second in the BIG EAST) in kickoff returns, averaging 25.0 yards per return.
Joe Lefeged is 17th in the NCAA and second in league play with an average return of 27.7 yards. Lefeged had a season-long 75-yard kickoff return to setup at touchdown in the victory over UConn.
Lefeged is looking to become the fourth Scarlet Knight in school history to lead the BIG EAST in kickoff returns. Gary Melton (1991), Terrell Willis (1993) and Nate Jones (2002) led the BIG EAST in kickoff returns in their respective year listed.
As a team, the 25.0 yards per kick return in 2010 is the best average in school history.
Single-Season Kickoff Return Yards Per Return
Rank Year Yards per Kickoff Return
1. 2010 25.0
2. 2005 24.8
3. 1988 24.0
4. 1991 23.9
5. 2009 23.8
6. 1960 23.1
Rutgers is 36th nationally in punt returns. Junior Mason Robinson returned a punt 60 yards for a touchdown Nov. 3 at USF. It marked the first punt return for a touchdown for Rutgers since Willie Foster in 2005 vs. Pittsburgh.
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 excel on third down in 2010.
Rutgers is fifth in the nation in third down defense. The Scarlet Knights have limited the opposition to 36-of-120 conversions (30%) on third down this season.
NCAA Third Down Efficiency Defense
Rank Percent
1. West Virginia (28-of-125) 22.4
2. TCU (32-of-137) 23.4
3. Boise State (37-of-131) 28.2
4. Ohio State (36-of-126) 28.6
5. Rutgers (36-of-120) 30.0
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 (309), tied for the lead in rushing touchdowns (4), receptions (41) and all-purpose yards (707).
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
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 47 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 21-15 under Schiano when blocking a kick in a game.
NCAA Blocked Kick Leaders (Since 2002)
1. Fresno State 54
2. Rutgers 47
3. Texas 46
4. Louisiana-Lafayette 42
Florida 42
Sweet Te
Rutgers junior PK San San Te is 13th among active career kickers in the nation with 43 made field goals. The 43 field goals also place Te third in school history in career field goals made. The North Carolina native is 13-for-19 on the season.
Inside 40 yards this season, Te has been nearly automatic, going 11-of-12. His only miss inside 40 yards was from 38 yards vs. North Carolina. In his career, Te is 37-of-43 from under 40 yards (86%).
Te also ranks 10th in BIG EAST history in career field goals. He needs two field goals to move into a tie for ninth place in the conference annals with former Miami PK Todd Sievers.
Representing the 305
Antonio Lowery, a native of Miami, has been all over the field in 2010. Lowery leads the team in tackles (82) and ranks third in the BIG EAST with 9.1 tackles per game. He is on pace to crack the century mark in tackles this season.
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 two fumbles this season.
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.
