Scarlet Knights Game Preview - Cincinnati
Nov 14 | Football
CINCINNATI (7-2, 3-1
) at RUTGERS (6-3, 3-2)
Saturday, November 19 • 12:01 p.m. • ESPNU
High Point Solutions Stadium (52,454)
Piscataway, N.J.
Series: Cincinnati Leads 8-7-1
The Game
• With a chance to move into a tie for first place in the BIG EAST, Rutgers hosts Cincinnati Saturday at High Point Solutions Stadium. Kickoff is set for 12 noon with live television coverage on ESPNU.
• Calling the game for ESPNU is Mike Morgan (play-by-play) and Danny Kanell (color analyst).
• Rutgers will honor its 16 seniors prior to kickoff, on Senior Day. Manny Abreu, Stephen Belichick, Art Forst, Justin Francis, Patrick Kivlehan, Edmond Laryea, Eric LeGrand, Nicholas Libonati, Joe Martinek, David Rowe, Caleb Ruch, Steve Shimko, Desmond Stapleton, San San Te, Jawann Westerman and Desmond Wynn will be introduced prior to the game.
Series Information
• Cincinnati leads the all-time series 8-7-1 and has won five straight meetings. The Scarlet Knights are 6-2 at home vs. the Bearcats.
• The last time Rutgers hosted Cincinnati on Senior Day, the Scarlet Knights earned their last win against the Bearcats with a 44-9 triumph in 2005.
• In last season's 69-38 loss at Cincinnati, junior WR Mark Harrison totaled 240 yards receiving (second in school history) and tied a school-record with four touchdown receptions. Quarterback Chas Dodd also threw for a career-high 335 yards in the contest.
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 (66-66) 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.
• Cincinnati: Butch Jones (Ferris State '90) is in his second season at Cincinnati. A former graduate assistant at Rutgers from 1990-91 under head coach Doug Graber, Jones is 38-23 in five seasons as a head coach at Central Michigan and Cincinnati.
Playing for First Place
For just the second time in school history, Rutgers plays its final home game with a share of first place in the BIG EAST on the line Saturday vs. Cincinnati. The Scarlet Knights can earn a share of the conference lead if they defeat the Bearcats.
The only other time Rutgers played a Senior Day contest with first-place implications in the BIG EAST was in 2006. The Scarlet Knights ended the 2006 home schedule with a 38-7 victory over Syracuse to remain in a tie for first place in the BIG EAST standings at the time with a 5-1 league record.
Senior Day
Rutgers will honor its senior class on Senior Day prior to kickoff vs. Cincinnati. Fans are encouraged to be in the stadium by 11:40 a.m. for the Senior Day ceremonies.
Protecting the Home Turf
Rutgers is 5-1 at High Point Solutions Stadium in 2011, its best record at home since an undefeated 6-0 mark in 2006.
With a victory vs. Cincinnati, Rutgers would equal the most wins at home in a season since High Point Solutions Stadium was built in 1994.
Home Record under Greg Schiano
2011 5-1
2010 2-4
2009 4-3
2008 5-2
2007 5-3
2006 6-0
2005 4-2
2004 3-3
2003 3-3
2002 1-5
2001 1-6
Totals 39-32 (.549)
BIG EAST's Best
Mohamed Sanu broke the school and conference records for receptions in a season with his 13-reception performance in the win over Army. Sanu first broke former first round NFL pick Kenny Britt's single-season record at RU of 87 receptions in 2008. He then passed Larry Fitzgerald's (Pitt) BIG EAST record of 92 receptions in 2003.
In just 10 games, Sanu has 94 receptions in 2011.
Gotta Go To Mo
Mohamed Sanu leads all BCS players with 94 receptions and ranks second overall nationally. Sanu has gone over the 100-yard mark in six games in 2011 and has six games of double-digit receptions this season.
NCAA Receptions Leaders
1. Jordan White (W. Michigan) 111
2. Mohamed Sanu (Rutgers) 94
3. Justin Blackmon (Oklahoma State) 93
Moving On Up ...
Mohamed Sanu is third in Rutgers history with 189 career receptions. He is also tied for second in school history in career 100-yard receiving games with nine, tied for ninth in school history with 12 career touchdown receptions and seventh in RU career history with 2,030 receiving yards.
Rutgers Career Receptions Leaders
1. Brian Leonard (2003-06) 207
2. Tres Moses (2001-05) 192
3. Mohamed Sanu (2009-present) 189
4. Kenny Britt (2006-08) 178
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. Mohamed Sanu (2009-present) 2,030
8. Clark Harris (2003-06) 2,015
9. Tiquan Underwood (2005-08) 1,931
10. Chris Brantley (1990-93) 1,914
Rutgers Career 100-Yard Receiving Game Leaders
1. Kenny Britt (2006-08) 14
2. Tim Brown (2006--09) 9
Mohamed Sanu (2009-present) 9
Rutgers Single-Season Receptions Leaders
1. Mohamed Sanu (2011) 94
2. Kenny Britt (2008) 87
3. Tres Moses (2004) 81
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. Mohamed Sanu (2011) 973
BIG EAST Single-Season Receptions Leaders
1. Mohamed Sanu, Rutgers (2011) 94
2. Larry Fitzgerald, Pitt (2003) 92
3. Mardy Gilyard, Cincinnati (2009) 87
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.
Move Those Chains ...
Mohamed Sanu is second nationally with 58 receptions resulting in a first down in 2011, trailing only Jordan White of Western Michigan (69). Twenty-two of Sanu's 94 receptions have covered 15 yards or more in 2001.
NCAA First Down Receptions Leaders
1. Jordan White (W. Michigan) 69
2. Mohamed Sanu (Rutgers) 58
3. Robert Woods (Southern California) 54
On Triple-Digit Pace
Mohamed Sanu is on pace to finish the season with 122 receptions, which would place him tied for 11th in NCAA single-season history.
Run Like a Deer
Sophomore RB/KR Jeremy Deering is second nationally in kickoff returns, averaging 33.1 yards per return. He is currently second in BIG EAST history with his 33.1 kickoff yard per return average. Deering scored on a 98-yard kickoff return in the victory over USF on November 5.
Deering is also on pace to shatter the school record held by Nate Jones (28.3 yards per kickoff return in 2002). Jones finished the season fifth in the nation in kickoff returns in 2002.
NCAA Kickoff Return Leaders
1. Tyler Lockett (Kansas State) 35.2
2. Jeremy Deering (Rutgers) 33.1
3. Vernon Frazier (UTEP) 32.2
BIG EAST Single-Season KOR Leaders
1. Nick Williams (UConn), 2010 35.3
2. Jeremy Deering (Rutgers), 2011 33.1
3. Jeremy Wright (Louisville), 2010 30.6
4. Mardy Gilyard (Cincinnati), 2009 30.5
5. Mike Imoh (Virginia Tech), 2003 30.0
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
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 (105) while adding 9.5 TFLs and two sacks from his weakside linebacker position. Greene leads the BIG EAST in tackles per game (10.5) and ranks 12th nationally. Greene totaled a career-high 17 stops vs. USF (Nov. 5).
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 Greg Schiano guided the Scarlet Knights to five bowl appearances during his tenure.
Special Teams Truly Special
Under the direction of special teams coordinator Robb Smith, Rutgers has continued its trend under head coach Greg Schiano of having one of the nation's elite special teams units.
The Scarlet Knights rank 11th nationally and first in the BIG EAST in kickoff returns (25.5).
Always a threat to block a kick, Rutgers has seven blocks in 2011. Only Fresno State (10) has blocked more kicks in 2011 as the Scarlet Knights are tied for second nationally with Boise State.
Rutgers has also scored three special teams touchdowns in 2011. Jordan Thomas scored on a 32-yard yard return on a Wayne Warren blocked punt vs. Army, Jeremy Deering returned a kickoff 98 yards for a score vs. USF and Marcus Cooper recovered a fumble on a punt for a three-yard touchdown vs. Ohio.
Breaking Down the Blocks
Here is breakdown of Rutgers' seven blocked kicks in 2011:
Wayne Warren blocked punt vs. Army, 32-yard fumble return for a TD by Jordan Thomas
Justin Francis blocked PAT vs. Louisville
Marcus Cooper blocked punt vs. Louisville, leads to RU touchdown on ensuing possession
Brandon Jones blocked FG vs. Navy to preserve 21-20 victory with 4:43 remaining
Jamal Merrell blocked PAT vs. Syracuse
Jamal Merrell blocked FG vs. Syracuse, leads to RU touchdown on ensuing possession
Jamal Merrell blocked punt vs. North Carolina Central
Everyone Loves a Block Party
Since 2002, Rutgers is tied for second nationally with 54 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 65
2. Rutgers 54
3. Texas 53
4. Florida 47
Forcing Turnovers
The Rutgers defense has been at its best in forcing turnovers in 2011. The Scarlet Knights are tied for fourth 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.
NCAA Turnovers Gained Leaders
1. Oklahoma St. 34
2. San Jose St. 29
South Carolina 29
4. Rutgers 28
Arizona St. 28
In November ...
Rutgers is 13-24 overall under Greg Schiano in the month of November. Over the last six years - five of which that concluded with bowl appearances - Rutgers is 12-10 (.545) 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 2-0
Total 13-24
No Fly Zone
Rutgers has assembled one of the top pass defenses in the country. The Scarlet Knights are 11th in pass defense, allowing just 175.0 yards per game. Rutgers is also eighth in pass efficiency defense (106.46) as the Scarlet Knights rank 11th nationally in scoring defense (18.2).
RU has allowed just one opponent to throw for over 300 yards this season - Ohio (339).
Sophomore CB Logan Ryan is second in the BIG EAST with 11 pass breakups while junior SS Duron Harmon is second in the conference with five interceptions.
NCAA Interceptions Leaders
1. North Carolina St. 20
2. Oklahoma St. 19
3. South Carolina 17
4. Rutgers 16
Arkansas St. 16
Louisiana Tech 16
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.
This Week's Opponent: Cincinnati
Cincinnati leads the BIG EAST with a 3-1 record and the Bearcats enter Saturday's contest 7-2 overall. UC owns wins over Austin Peay (72-10), Akron (59-14), NC State (44-14), Miami of Ohio (27-0), Louisville (25-16), USF (37-34) and Pitt (26-23) while losing at Tennessee (45-23) and vs. West Virginia (24-21).
Senior star QB Zach Collaros left the WVU game with a broken ankle and will miss the remainder of the regular season for the Bearcats. Collaros was second in the BIG EAST in passing efficiency and third in total offense (232.9). Backup QB Munchie Legaux will make his first career start Saturday at Rutgers.
Cincinnati is averaging 37.1 points per game (15th nationally). The Bearcats also rank 31st in rushing offense (193.6) and 66th in passing offense (228.8), 40th in total offense (422.3).
Defensively, the Bearcats are 50th overall in total defense (369.2), 24th in scoring defense (20.0), second in rushing defense (81.4) and 115th in pass defense (287.8).
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 12th in the nation in field goals made per game (1.5) and is seventh among active players with 318 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 (318 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 2.9 (T-14) 7.7 (T-8)
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 third on the team in tackles (55) and leads RU in tackles-for-loss (13.0), sacks (6.5) and quarterback hurries (9). He is second in the BIG EAST in tackles-for-loss per game (1.3) and fourth with 0.65 sacks per game, while also ranking in the top 30 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 eighth 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.
Tough to Score in the Red Zone
Rutgers is tied for second nationally in red zone defense in 2011. The Scarlet Knights have yielded 21 scores in 31 opportunities, including just 14 touchdowns.
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
66-66 (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
