The History of Rutgers University Football
And Why They Will Continue Recent Success
August 10th, 2007 By: Kirk Herbstreit ESPN College Football Analyst
New Brunswick, New Jersey -- We start out in the year 1869, when Princeton traveled to New Brunswick to take on Rutgers University in the first ever intercollegiate football game. The two teams played on a field on College Avenue in New Brunswick, in front of very little fans, without a scoreboard, no elaborate athletic equipment, and no television cameras. Give that description to a person today and the last place they would guess it would be was a college football game. However, on that day, the students who participated in that game established the school spirit that continues at Rutgers University, the birthplace of intercollegiate football.
After several difficult years of football for the "R U" fans, the team slowly started turning it around in the early 1900's. It wasn't until 1913 when Rutgers hired George Foster Sanford to be their coach that the football program would consistenly show signs of winning. Sanford would post a 56-32 record in 10 years, but left after the 1923 season: and in came John Wallace for two years, where he ended with a 12-14 record. Two coaches after Wallace came Harvey Harman, who coached for 13 years. Harman compiled a 74-44 record, and a .625 win percentage, ranking third all time only behind Sanford and Frank Burns, who would later lead Rutgers to their first ever bowl game. After Harman left in 1955, John Steigman and John Bateman combined to coach until 1972 and post a 95-66 record, and continue Rutgers winning ways. With 1972 gone, new head coach Frank Burns was approaching, and ready to make a statement for Rutgers football. Burns would post a 78-43 record over the next 10 years, lead the team to their first ever Bowl appearance, losing 34-18 to Arizona State in the Garden Sate Bowl, and compel the best winning percentage in Rutgers football coaches history at .643. However, once Burns left things went down hill, and in a hurry. The next three coaches would combine to go 67-114 from 1984-2000. Rutgers had quickly fallen to a laughing stock of the college football world, often considered an easy victory for opposing teams.
Then on December 1st, 2000, Rutgers University made the announcement that they had hired former University of Miami defensive coordinator Greg Schiano. Schiano said that since the moment he was hired his main goal was to build one of the nation's top programs on a rock solid foundation - both on the field and in the classroom, and to win a National Championship. He has successfully completed one of those goals, and the second remains to be seen. At his introductory press conference, Schiano stated “We're going to win at Rutgers and we're going to do it the right way.”
The football world heard his message loud and clear after Schiano and his Rutgers squad posted an 11-2 record in 2006, tying for 2nd in the Big East. Schiano would also lead Rutgers to a 37-10 victory over Kansas State in the Texas Bowl, the University's first ever Bowl championship. Schanio, the 2006 National and Big East Coach of the Year, has successfully transformed the Rutgers program into one of the nation's best. They will enter the season with a 580-580-42 all time record, hoping to put the team over the .500 mark for good. The University will also seek it's first ever Conference Championship, and National Championship.
They certainly have the roster to compete for the Big East Title, as well as the National Title. Junior halfback Ray Rice returns after being named a second team All American as a sophomore. Rice finished second in the nation his sophomore year with 1,794 yards rushing. Senior Mike Teel returns as the quarterback of a team destined to win. Even bigger things are expected out of junior wide receiver Tiquan Underwood after a huge burst last season where he was given the starting receiver's role after a broken ankle was sustained to then starter Shawn Tucker. Senior Ron Girault and junior Courtney Greene give the Scarlet Knights two very good safetys, and junior linebacker Kevin Malast will be the focus of the linebackers. Of course, honorable mention All American place kicker Jeremy Ito returns, and looks to put up even better numbers this season.
While the Scarlet Knights chances to compete for a National Title may be better next season, assuming the junior class players return for one more run, they certainly aren't out of it this season. I'd watch the Scarlet Knights closely this year, as they could be a team not to reckon with.
Rutgers Shows Signs of Pre Game Jitters R U Holds On To Win
August 30th, 2007 Written By: Kirk Herbstreit ESPN College Football Analyst
New Brunswick, New Jersey -- Perhaps not the biggest win they will get this season. Perhaps not the most executed win they will get this season. Perhaps not the prettiest win they will get this season. However, it is the first win they got this season, as the Rutgers University Football Team upheld Buffalo 34-14 in their season opening game at Rutgers Stadium.
Junior quarterback Mike Teel had the much expected dominating opening game that was expected, as the same goes for projected All American halfback Ray Rice. Teel was nine of twelve for one hundred and forty nine yards with two touchdowns and an interception, leaving him with a quarterback rating of 217.6 after one game. Rice rushed the ball twenty times for one hundred yards on the ground. He averaged five yards per carry, and scored in the first quarter to give Rutgers their first touchdown of the season.
Perhaps the biggest play of the game was after Buffalo had scored a touchdown. Mike Teel, only minutes later, would connect with a streaking Tiquan Underwood for a sixty eight yard touchdown pass, giving Rutgers back the momentum.
The Rutgers defense was masterful, only giving up thirteen yards on the ground on eighteen attempts for Buffalo. They picked off three passes, and recorded two sacks in the win. Devin McCourty recorded two of the interceptions, while Ron Girault had the last one, returning it fifty one yards for the touchdown.
Next week Rutgers will take on an 0-1 Navy team, and look to improve to 2-0 on the season.
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Madden 2008
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Some Key Game Stats
Name Rating Comp/Att Yards TD INT
Mike Teel 217.6 9/12 149 2 1
Name Rush/Yds Avg TD Long
Ray Rice 20/100 5.0 1 17
September 8th, 2007 Written By: Kirk Herbstreit ESPN College Football Analyst
New Brunswick, New Jersey -- Whoever was in Rutgers Stadium to witness the Navy-Rutgers game got an extra treat to go with it. They got to witness their school's record of most rushing yards in a game fall as Ray Rice ran the ball twenty three times for an astonishing 247 yards. He scored six touchdowns, all on the ground, and his long run was from sixty seven yards out, the very first offensive play of the game. It was simply Rice's day.
"How about that performance?" head coach Greg Schiano said after sitting down at his press conference. "The boy can run the ball and break some tackles, that's for sure. I think he had close to a hundred and fifty yards after the first time he got hit on the ground, and that is simply amazing."
Not to overshadow the other areas of the team, but Rice's performance was like no other.
"I really think he should get some recognition in the Heisman Trophy running," said quarterback Mike Teel. "It's amazing how he does it. I certainly am glad he is putting the points up for my team and not against my team."
Teel had another good game throwing the ball, completing ten of fourteen passes for one hundred and ninety seven yards and a 175.3 quarterback rating.
The defense was solid once again, proving that they are strong in all aspects of their game.
Next week the Scarlet Knights will take on FCS East, in what looks like it should be a blow out.
Heisman Watch: Week Two
McFadden: Vs Troy, 18 Carries, 107 Yards, 3 TD
Booty: Vs Idaho, 20-30, 269 Yards, 3 TD, 2 Carries/14 Yards
Brohm: Vs FCS Southeast, 12-14, 245 Yards, 5 TD
Brennan: Did Not Play
Slaton: Vs WMU, 18 Carries, 135 Yards, 33 Rec Yards
Week 2 BCS Polls (BCS Standings Before Week Two Occured)
1: USC, 2: Michigan, 3: LSU, 4: Florida, 5: Texas, 6: West Virginia, 7: Wisconsin, 8: Oklahoma, 9: Virginia Tech, 10: Arkansas, 11: Louisville, 12: Ohio State, 13: Auburn, 14: Nebraska, 15: Tennessee, 16: Penn State, 17: Georgia, 18: UCLA, 19: Rutgers, 20: Florida State, 21: TCU, 22: Cal, 23: Boise State, 24: Texas A+M, 25: Boston College
September 16th, 2007 Written By: Kirk Herbstreit
ESPN College Football Analyst
[New Brunswick, New Jersey] --Ever wake up one morning, and one after another, something seems to go wrong? Where it seems like it is just going to be one of those days... One of those days where you can't catch a break, or you feel like you are being totally dominated? Well, now you know how the FCS East team felt for all twenty eight minutes of Saturday's game.
"I think the only positive thing we had go for us this whole day was our first defensive drive," said the FSC East Head Coach. "You would never be able to know it, but we forced them to go three and out."
Once the Rutgers defensive unit came out, the flood gates opened up. Rutgers would intercept the second down pass, giving the offense the ball again. The defense would record seven interceptions on the day, including two from sophomore safety Anthony Miller and junior linebacker Kevin Malast. The defense only gave up forty nine passing yards all game, and negative one rushing yards on seventeen FSC East attempts.
"They were dynamite out there again today," said head coach Greg Schiano. "Everything they did today was right, in the right place at every moment, it was just awesome. We're not going to get too excited over this win though, I mean -- no offense to any of the FCS East organization, but they're a very low level college team."
The offense had their way with everything today as well. Ray Rice would rush the ball only fourtenn times for one hundred and thirty one yards as well as four touchdowns. And once Rice scored once in the first quarter, well.. I think it was safe to say this one was over.
Senior Mike Teel would record a 380.9 QB Rating on the day, completing ten of twelve passes for two hundred and sixty-eight yards, as well as four touchdowns. However, perhaps the real story is the excitement that sophomore halfback Kordell Young brought to the table on his eighteen touches that he got. He rushed for one hundred and twenty yards and scored once on the ground, and caught two passes, one being for a touchdown.
"Oh, there's no doubt in my mind that he could replace Ray when Ray decides that that time has come," said coach Schano. "He's no slouch running back, he'll out juke ya, and even plow you over if he has to. He could be the real deal."
Next week the Scarlet Knights will host a very good Maryland football team, in what should be a closer, okay a lot closer, football game then this weeks.
Rice has been having an unbelievable season so far. He's gotta be atleast in the Heisman watch by now. Wow, 380.9 passer rating I didn't even know that was possible lol, i thought the highest you could get was 100 and something.
Scarlet Knights Squeek By Terps Rice Puts Team On Back After Slow Start
September 30th, 2007 Written By: Kirk Herbstreit
ESPN College Football Analyst
[New Brunswick, New Jersey]-- It wasn't until approximately midway through the second quarter that Ray Rice would break the fifty yard mark on the ground. For the first time all season, the Rutgers offense was being challenged. Maryland, who entered the day at 3-1, held Rice to thirteen yards on five carries through the first quarter. Had you given Ray Rice the ball five times last week, you would've expected eighty or so yards out of him. That wasn't the case this week, at least not this early.
Luckily for the Scarlet Knights, quarterback Mike Teel brought his A game to the table, as he was able to complete sixteen of nineteen passes on the day for a 185.1 QB rating, as well as 189 yards through the air and a touchdown strike. That touchdown strike came about two thirds through the first quarter, when Teel found Kenny Britt heading towards the corner of the endzone. Just like that, seven nothing Rutgers.
Maryland's ensuing possession led to a drive down the Rutgers field, and in for the touchdown at the start of the second quarter, as Maryland wide receiver Isaiah Williams caught the touchdown pass from Jordan Steffy to tie the game at seven a piece.
When Rutgers got the ball back, it seemed as if they knew to pass the ball. Nothing was stopping Teel from completing passes all day, and they opened the drive with three consecutive completions, putting them in Maryland territory. The very next play would be a handoff to Ray Rice. A handoff to Rice? With the way Teel's throwing the ball, are you serious? Yes, dead serious, and so was Ray Rice. Thirty one yards later, Rutgers had regained the lead at 14-7.
After Maryland responded with yet another touchdown, the Scarlet Knights got the ball back with a minute and three seconds remaining in the half. They drove into field goal position, where Jeremy Ito would nail a thirty nine yard field goal, to put Rutgers up 17-14 going into the half.
"We fealt confident going into halftime. We know we're a good unit, and we know we could hold these guys down, we weren't that worried," said defensive back Devin McCourty.
Hold them the defense did. Neither team would score again until late in the third quarter, where Maryland got a big reception from, once again, Isaih Williams. The drive stalled and led to a Maryland field goal, tying the game up once again. This took us into the fourth quarter, where Ray Rice would get the majority of the carries in the next Rutgers drive. Rice would march the Scarlet Knights right down the field, capping it off by pounding the ball in from seven yards out. 24-17, Rutgers.
Unlike every other time, Maryland wasn't able to answer this time. Steffy threw an interception which landed in the hands of Devin McCourtey. Jeremy Ito would add an ensurance field goal with 3:57 remaining in the game, but once again, those persky Terps, wouldn't go away. Maryland answered with another touchdown, bringing the score to 27-24, with forty three seconds remaining.
"Out comes the Rutgers hands' team, and there's the Terps onside kick team. Here we go, the kick is up, it takes a nasty hop.. It's recovered by..I can't quite make it out, No, it's Jean Beljour! Rutgers' ball, Rutgers' ball!!!," said the Rutgers radio announcer.
With the win, Rutgers improved to 4-0 overall, and will be tested from within the Big East for the first time next week when they take on the 4-1 Bearcats here at Rutgers Stadium.
Tough Game? Not So, Rutgers Cruises Scarlet Knights Go Into Cruise Control After First
October 7th, 2007 Written By: Kirk Herbstreit
ESPN College Football Analyst
[New Brunswick, New Jersey]-- If there was any doubt as to who would win this highly anticipated matchup between the 4-1 Bearcats and the 4-0 Scarlet Knights, it would be quickly erased after the first quarter. The Rutgers defensive unit was impressive once again, as they forced quarterback Dustin Grutza to throw six interceptions throughout the day, including three in the first quarter.
The first of Grutza's six interceptions would come on the second play from scrimmage of the game, as it was picked off by Devin McCourty, his first of two on the day. This set up an eleven yard Ray Rice run, giving the Scarlet Knights an early 7-0 lead. Cincinnati's very next possession was no different, other then the fact that Kevin Malast was the one getting the interception this time. This led to Mike Teel's first touchdown strike of the day as he found a streaking James Townsend down the field to increase the lead to 14-0.
"We had everything working out there for us today. The defense was awesome once again, and the offense just capitalized on the oppertunities that the defense gave us", said wide receiver Tiqaun Underwood, who caught a touchdown strike in the third quarter.
Ray Rice would score once again in the second, this time from three yards out, giving Rutgers a 24-0 lead going into the half. And if anyone thought things would get better after halftime for Cincinnati, they were simply wrong.
Grutza's four interceptions in the first half weren't enough for the Scarlet Knight defense, as they came out and intercepted another one in the third quarter. This set up Tiquan Underwood's 15 yard touchdown reception, which was followed by a Jeremy Ito field goal only minutes later, giving Rutgers a 34-7 lead.
Devin McCourty would pick off the final interception of the day for Grutza, and return it 103 yards for the touchdown, setting a new Rutgers record for longest interception return.
When asked if he was shocked that he was having the better season out of him and his brother, Jason, McCourty responded with: "Hey, you know, we both pull for each other. He's got two picks on the season too, I just happen to get the ball thrown more my way, which is why I have five. They're scared to throw it his way, and we're both just as good as one another. He's taught me a lot of what I do today, definately someone I look up to".
Next week the Scarlet Knights will travel for the first time this season, as they will head to New York to take on the Syracuse Orangemen. Syracuse is 3-3 on the season and 0-2 in the Big East, and if Rutgers continues to play the way they have been, there's no reason why they shouldn't be heading home from New York 6-0.
October 9th, 2007 Written By: Kirk Herbstreit ESPN College Football Analyst
New Brunswick, New Jersey -- In the very first week of the recruiting frenzys, Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano made it be known that he wanted to add another defensive back. Perhaps a defensive back that could be a top tier corner down the road, or a potential replacement for superstar safety Courtney Greene. He may have found an answer for either one, of his choice, with the recruiting of one single player.
Steve Williamson, from Butler, Pennsylvania, has committed to play football next year at Rutgers. Steve visited the campus when Rutgers hosted FCS East back in week three, and had such a great time that he named Rutgers his top choice. Other choices included Penn State at number two, Ohio State at number three, and Maryland and Pittsburgh also appearing on the list.
Williamson is a 5'11 corner who will weigh in at 180 pounds. He has been graded a B- prospect by Scout.com, and has also been ranked the 7th best senior cornerback in the nation this year, the 44th best prospect in the nation. Williamson has been labeled as a four star prospect, and will add depth to the already young cornerback squad. Both McCourty's (Jason (Junior) and Devin (Sophomore) will likely be number one and two again, and with the play that Mason Robinson has been showing, it look's like Williamson may be Courtney Greene's replacement if he decides to enter the draft early this year.
While it is unsure where this top prospect will be on the field next year, it is certain that he will be playing at Rutgers Stadium, in front of the thousands and thousands of R U fans.
October 14th, 2007 Written By: Kirk Herbstreit ESPN NCAA Football Analyst
[New Brunswick, New Jersey]-- On a day in which the Rutgers University football team looked doomed from the beginning, several key sophomores would step in and solve what looked to be a mysterious puzzle. The first drive of the game for the Rutgers football team was a three and out, and after the third play of the game, and only two passes, quarterback Mike Teel would have to leave the game.
It was later learned that Teel had pulled a hamstring while scrambling to complete a pass. It was then learned that Teel wouldn't be returning to this game, but should be ready to go for next week's thriller vs USF. However, that wasn't all that would come for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights fans.
The very first play for the Rutgers defense saw what looks like could be a season ending injury to their star of the defense. Safety Courtney Greene was going up to make a tackle and broke his jaw, immediately left the game, and will miss about seven weeks according to team trainers.
"It was scary", said fellow defensive back Ron Girault. "He was just up there to make a tackle, and got plowed over, then you heard the smash. We knew it was serious, especially when a guy like Courtney doesn't get up right away."
Freshman Joe Martinek would get the call to fill in for Greene, leading to the real story of the day was the play of the sensational underclassmen. Martinek was just one of several underclassmen to make huge contributions to the Rutgers football team today. Sophomore Jabu Lovelace would step in and take the snaps at quarterback. The passing game didn't miss a beat without Teel, as Lovelace completed twenty of twenty seven passes, for two hundred and seven yards and three touchdowns.
After a nine yard touchdown pass from Lovelace to fellow sophomore Kenny Britt late in the first quarter, the Rutgers defense would come up huge again. This time, junior Kevin Malast intercepted his fourth pass of the season, setting Rutgers up with the ball in Syracuse territory.
Then, it happened. The whole crowd went from cheers, and being rediculously loud, to as quiet as can be. You could hear a cricket in that stadium had it been chirping. Ray Rice first run from scrimmage after the interception was for a three yard gain, and Rice wouldn't get up. He had to be helped off the field, and was said to have pulled his hamstring. Sophomore Kordell Young spelled Rice for this drive, and rushed the ball five times for twenty one yards, setting up another Lovelace touchdown pass to Kenny Britt, their second completion of the day.
After a Syracuse field goal, the Rutgers fans saw their star halfback trotting back onto the field. After a halftime at which Rutgers saw themselves leading 14-3, Syracuse's new gameplan for the second half seemed to have worked. The Orangemen came out passing, completing them left and right, and found themselves adding another field goal to their score.
After Jean Beljour punched in a five yard touchdown run, Syracuse came right back and completed a forty-seven yard pass for a touchdown, drawing them even closer to a comeback, putting them only down by eight.
Sophomore punter Teddy Dellaganna had been sensational all day long, already nailing Syracuse to start at their own four yard line twice in the game. This time, he was two yards better, forcing them to start at their own two. Two plays later, Blair Bines found himself wrapping up the Orangemen halfback in the endzone, to give Rutgers two more points and the ball back.
Sophomore punter Teddy Delleganna nailed the Syracuse offense to start inside their own five yard line four different times in the win.
"It was awesome, I don't think I've ever had a game like that punting," said Delleganna. "Hopefully I can do that every time out from now on, it gave our defense some huge oppertunities."
Kenny Britt would strike for a third time, this time on a thirty-seven yard hookup from Lovelace, pretty much wrapping the game up. It was now 30-13 Rutgers, and Rutgers was sitting pretty.
A mild comeback effort by Syracuse was not enough, two touchdowns brought the score to 30-27, but Jeremy Ito would connect from nineteen yards out, giving Rutgers the win, 33-27 and improving them to 6-0 on the season, and 2-0 in the Big East.
For more information, be sure to check out the website in my sig.
Big First Half Helps Rutgers Hold On
Scarlet Knights Crack Top 10 In Coaches Poll For First Time This Season
10/19/2007 Written By: Kirk Herbstreit
ESPN NCAA Football Analyst
[New Brunswick, New Jersey]-- The first half of Saturday's game against USF proved to be the main drive for the Rutgers University offense, as they would put twenty of their thirty three points up in the first half. Mr. Steady, Ray Rice scored twice in the first quarter, once on a run from forty four yards out, followed by a five yard touchdown reception from quarterback Mike Teel. This was all after senior place kicker Jeremy Ito nailed a thirty four yard field goal.
"We got ahead early, which is something we love to do," said head coach Greg Schiano. "Ray just did what he's been doing all season, making something happen out there on that field, it really gave us an emotional boost."
Sophomore cornerback Leslie Jackman gave the Rutgers offense plenty of chances to expand their lead. He intercepted two passes on the day, his firsts of the season.
After Rutgers went into halftime up 20-14, the Scarlet Knights offense felt no need to stop there. They came out and started the scoring once again as Teel found senior tight end Chris Rudanovic for the two yard touchdown, his first of the season.
"It was special, showing coach that I can be useful out there. Mike just did an awesome job finding me in the endzone," said Rudanovic. "I'm primarily used as strictly a blocking tight end, so it was a bit of a shock to hear that I was actually running a route," laughed Rudanovic.
Ito would add his third field goal of the day on the next Rutgers possession, giving them a comfortable 30-14 lead. Once the defense stopped the USF offense, Mike Teel would hand off to Ray Rice where he would be hit in the backfield, coughing up the ball, and leading to a nineteen yard fumble return for a touchdown, bringing the score to 30-21.
USF wouldn't stop there. They got a twenty three yard pass to go for a touchdown, and then would kick off to Rutgers with just over three minutes remaining. Fortunately for all the R U fans, the combination of Ray Rice and Kordell Young would be able to work the clock, and eventually lead to another Jeremy Ito field goal, his fourth of the day.
USF got the ball back once more though, with a chance to still win the game, only being down by five. However, two incomplete passes and another interception later, Rutgers offense had the ball back, and sophomore Kordell Young would come in to run out the clock and preserve the 33-28 victory for Rutgers.
Rutgers cracked the top 10 in the coaches poll for the first time all season after the win, being ranked number 10. However, they are still ranked number 12 in the BCS poll, something they hope to climb before the season is over.
Four Interceptions Not Enough For Rutgers
Defense Gives Up Over 300 On The Ground, 500 Total
10/28/2007 Written By: Kirk Herbstreit ESPN NCAA Football Analyst
[New Brunswick, New Jersey]-- If there was any argument over who had the best featured back in the NCAA, Steve Slaton sure did only help his cause with his performance against Rutgers this past Saturday. Slaton would rush for over two hundred yards, including touchdown runs from ninety-five and ninety-six yards out, helping number four West Virginia topple Rutgers, 28-26.
It looked good for Rutgers for a while, as they survived the first quarter up 6-0 after two Jeremy Ito field goals. However, at the start of the second, West Virgninia quarterback Pat White rushed a touchdown in from five yards out. Then, perhaps the biggest blow of the day came next for the Rutgers football team. Running back Ray Rice went down after rushing the ball for a four yard gain. After x-rays were recovered, it was discovered that Rice broke his collarbone, and will miss the remainder of the season.
Yet, as sophomore Kordell Young has done all season, he stepped in and delivered. Young scored from three yards out on the same drive that Rice went down, giving Rutgers the lead back at 13-7. After both teams swapped possessions, a Teddy Dellaganna would land the West Virginia offense starting at their own five. However, only one run later and West Virginia had a one point lead again, as Slaton marched it ninety-five yards down the field for the score.
"He's good," admitted linebacker Blair Bines. "He made us miss a lot of tackles, broke a lot of tackles, he caught the ball.. He's the complete package, can't wait to see him in the NFL."
The third quarter started with yet another West Virginia touchdown, as Pat White ran in his second touchdown of the day, this time from three yards out. After the Rutgers offense was stopped, the defense picked off Pat White for the third time of the day, setting Rutgers up with the ball on the West Virginia twenty-four. Unbelievably, Mike Teel's very next pass would wind up in the West Virginia defenders hands, giving them the ball back on their own four yard line. The very next play, a pitch to Steve Slaton, where ninety-six yards later would end in another touchdown run.
West Virginia had increased it's lead to 28-20, and was in all control. After all, all they had to do was hand the ball off to Slaton and he was seemingly an automatic first down.
After a fourth quarter, for the most part, in which both defenses had been dominating, Pat White dropped back to pass. His pass went right into the hands of junior cornerback Jason McCourty, where it was returned fifty-two yards for the touchdown, giving Rutgers the slightest hope for a comeback. They had to go for two points to tie it.
Head coach Greg Schiano elected a pitch to Kordell Young, but Young was stuffed at the one, setting Rutgers up with no other choice but to onside kick the ball.
With only one time out left, and under two minutes to play, Ito's kick would have to be perfect. Perfect it was, but it went in and out of wide receiver James Townsend's hands, and into the hands of West Virginia freshman halfback Noel Devine's, seemingly putting the game out of reach for the Rutgers football team.
With the loss Rutgers drops to 7-1, 3-1 in the Big East, and fell to number twelve in the BCS Standings. Next week Rutgers will travel to UConn, to take on the 3-5 Huskies.
Rutgers Rebounds With Convincing Win Over UConn
Three Ito Field Goals and Two Kordell Young TD's Enough To Win
11/04/2007
Written By: Kirk Herbstreit ESPN NCAA Football Analyst
[New Brunswick, New Jersey]-- The Rutgers Scarlet Knights had their National Championship hopes smashed last week, when they suffered a heart-breaking loss to #4 West Virginia, 28-26. It seemed as if after the first quarter of the game yesterday against UConn, that they were still thinking about that loss.
After one, Rutgers was only beating the 3-5 Huskies 3-0, thanks to a twenty-nine yard field goal from Jeremy Ito. Yet, that Rutgers offense that has put up points all season came to life in the second quarter, including two scores from Kordell Young who will be filling in for the injured Ray Rice for the remainder of the season.
Young scored first on a fifteen yard option toss from quarterback Jabu Lovelace, who spelled Mike Teel just for that play. The next drive would end with Teel hooking up on a twenty-nine yard lobb pass into the endzone with Kordell Young, bringing the score to 17-0.
It wouldn't end there. After UConn scored their lone touchdown of the evening, and missed the extra point, Rutgers ended the half with a drive. It resulted in another Ito field goal, this time from forty-eight yards out.
Mike Teel came right out and put the game away early in the third, as he found a streaking Tiquan Underwood from fifteen yards out for another touchdown pass, his second of the day.
The Rutgers defense failed to create turnovers today, but were solid in stopping both the pass and run, resulting in a lot of possession time for Mike Teel and the offense. They were able to add another field goal in the fourth quarter, putting them ahead 30-6, giving them their eighth win of the season.
"It's nice bouncing back like this, but that loss last week was still on all of our minds. It crushed us," said receiver Kenny Britt.
Next week Rutgers will take on the Army, in what should be another win for the Scarlet Knights.
Rutgers Cracks Top 10 With Win Over Army
Teel Struggles Early, Pulls Out The Win
01/01/2007
Written By: Kirk Herbstreit
ESPN NCAA Football Analyst
[New Brunswick, New Jersey]-- The running game was non-existent all day. The passing game struggled mightily early on. Mike Teel had been intercepted twice in the first quarter, resulting in a 0-0 tie entering the second. Luckily for Rutgers, they caught all the right breaks.
Army kicker Adam DeMarco missed two field goals in the first quarter, one from only 13 yards out, another from 24 yards out. Unfortunately, the Scarlet Knight offense was unable to capitalize on any of the Black Knights miscues.
"We got really lucky out there today," stated head coach Greg Schiano. "We're going to have to execute a lot better then that the next couple weeks, or else it's going to be disappointing here in New Brunswick."
Rutgers finally got on the board though, when cornerback Jason McCourty intercepted a pass and returned it into Army territory, setting up a Jeremy Ito thirty yard field goal, giving the Scarlet Knights a 3-0 lead.
Rutgers next possession would result in a touchdown, this time on a brilliant move by wide receiver Kenny Britt. Teel was being rushed by the defensive end and somehow managed to get the pass off and into the hands of Britt, who made a defender missed and ran the ball sixty-nine yards down the field for his sixth touchdown of the season.
After the halftime show, Army came right out and moved the ball down the field once more. However, DeMarco missed his third kick of the day, which would've brought the score to 10-9. Instead, Rutgers sat comfortably at 10-0.
A scoreless third went by, and on came the fourth quarter. Teel somehow managed a fifteen yard touchdown pass early in the fourth off a playaction to Tiquan Underwood in the endzone, which gave Rutgers their 17-0 lead. The game was seemingly over, only four minutes remaining, and the fourth and final missed field goal by DeMarco had just occured. Rutgers had the ball and capitalized on a one yard run from Kordell Young, putting the score out of reach, 24-0.
Army would score with fifteen seconds remaining, but it was too late. The sixty-four yard touchdown pass wouldn't be enough, and Rutgers improved to 9-1 on the season, and cracked the top 10 in the BCS Standings.
"Hopefully we get into a top bowl game," said senior lineman Pedro Sosa. "I just want to go out with one more Bowl Championship under my belt and I'll be happy."
It is evident that with the win, Rutgers in one step closer to that big Bowl game they are dreaming of. Next week they'll take on 6-3 Pittsburgh, back home in New Brunswick.
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