PAPAJOHNS.COM BOWL
RUTGERS (7-5) vs NC STATE (6-6)
Monday, Dec. 29 3:00 p.m.
Site: Birmingham, Ala.
Stadium: Legion Field
Series Record: First Meeting
Television: ESPN -
Eric Collins- Play-by-Play. Shaun King - Analyst
Radio: The Rutgers Radio Network can be heard on WOR (AM-710) and WCTC (AM-1450) Chris Carlin (Play-by-Play), former Rutgers TE Tim Pernetti (Color Analyst) and Anthony Fuccilli (Sideline Reporter) on the call. Marc Malusis serves as the pre-game and post-game host. The game can also be heard on the Internet at www.scarletknights.com, the official athletics website of Rutgers University.
National Radio: ESPN Radio,
Dave Lamont – Play-by-Play,
Trevor Matich – Analyst.,
Todd McShay – Sidelines
Student Radio: WRSU 88.7 FM
Internet: ScarletKnights.com (audio)
 For the first time in school history, Rutgers (7-5, 5-2 BIG EAST) will play in a bowl game for the fourth consecutive season as the Scarlet Knights officially accepted an invitation to the PapaJohns.com Bowl. The Scarlet Knights will face NC State (6-6, 4-4) of the Atlantic Coast Conference Monday, December 29 at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. with live television coverage on ESPN.
Rutgers looks to extend the longest current winning streak in the BIG EAST and the sixth-longest streak in the nation to seven games with a victory in the PapaJohns.com Bowl.
The Rutgers Radio Network will begin its pregame coverage at 2 p.m. Chris Carlin (play-by-play), Tim Pernetti (analyst) and Anthony Fucilli (sidelines) will have the call.
Looking for Third Straight Bowl Win
Rutgers will attempt to win three consecutive bowls with a victory in the PapaJohns.com Bowl. The Scarlet Knights defeated Ball State 52-30 in the 2008 International Bowl and stopped Kansas State 37-10 in the 2006 Texas Bowl.
First Meeting vs. the Wolfpack
Rutgers and NC State will play on the gridiron for the first time in the 2008 PapaJohns.com Bowl at Legion Field in Birmingham.
Rutgers and NC State have two common opponents this year - USF and North Carolina. Rutgers went 1-1 vs. USF and North Carolina - defeating the Bulls 49-16 in Tampa on Nov. 15 and losing at home to the Tar Heels, 44-12.
NC State also went 1-1 vs. the two teams. The Wolfpack lost 41-10 to the Bulls in Raleigh on Sept. 27 and defeated UNC 41-10 in Chapel Hill on Nov. 22.
The Scarlet Knights are 1-1 when facing an opponent for the first time in postseason play. Rutgers dropped a 34-18 contest in its first meeting against Arizona State at the 1978 Garden State Bowl, but defeated Kansas State 37-10 in its first-ever matchup in the Texas Bowl.
Starting a Bowl Tradition
Before Greg Schiano’s arrival at Rutgers, the Scarlet Knights played in one bowl game in 131 seasons of football. In eight seasons at the helm of the program, Schiano has guided Rutgers to four straight 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 2-2 in postseason play.
Going for Number Seven
With a victory vs. NC State in the PapaJohns.com Bowl, Rutgers would close the season with seven straight wins. The seven consecutive victories to close out the year would be the fourth-longest streak in school history.
Longest Win Streaks to Close Out Regular Season
Year (Season Record) Consecutive Wins
1976 (11-0) 11 (undefeated season)
1961 (9-0) 9 (undefeated season)
1947 (8-1) 8
1975 (9-2) 7
2008 (7-5) 6
1915 (7-1) 6
Thanks for the Memories
The 2008 senior class (LS Jeremy Branch, TE Kevin Brock, OL Mike Gilmartin, FS Courtney Greene, DB Glen Lee, LB Kevin Malast, CB Jason McCourty, TE Craig McGovern, John Nicola, DB Mark Orosz, LB Chris Quaye, DT Kevin Small, DB Davon Smart, QB Mike Teel, LB Brian Tracey, DT Pete Tverdov, WR Tiquan Underwood, DE Jamaal Westerman) is tied for the fifth-most victories for a senior class in school history.
The 18 seniors are the first class in school history to play in a bowl game in four consecutive seasons.
Senior Class Win Totals
1. 1978 – 37, 1 bowl appearance
2. 1979 – 36
3. 1977 – 35
4. 1976 – 33
2008 - 33, 4 bowl appearances
Sweet Home Alabama
Rutgers will play a football game in the State of Alabama for the third time in school history and for the first time since Nov. 6, 1982 at Auburn. The Scarlet Knights also played at Alabama in Tuscaloosa on Oct. 24, 1981.
Seniors Playing in Four Straight Bowls
Four Scarlet Knights have played in the last three bowl games and are looking to become the first players in school history to earn playing time in four bowls at Rutgers. FS Courtney Greene, CB Jason McCourty, LB Kevin Malast and DT Pete Tverdov have all seen action in the previous three bowls. Greene would become the only player in school history to start four consecutive bowls.
Best Four-Year Run in BIG EAST Play
The 2008 senior class for Rutgers is 17-11 in BIG EAST play over the last four seasons.
The 17 wins are the most over a four-year span in Rutgers’ BIG EAST history.
This year’s winning record in the league marks the fourth time since joining the BIG EAST in 1991 that Rutgers finished with a winning record. Head coach Greg Schiano has guided three of the squads with winning records in league play - 2005 (4-3), 2006 (5-2) and 2008 (5-2).
Looking to Extend 30-Point Streak
Rutgers can set a new school record for consecutive 30-point games in a season in the PapaJohns.com Bowl vs. NC State. The Scarlet Knights have scored 30 or more points in five straight games to equal the school record set by the 1975 squad.
The Scarlet Knights have scored 231 points in the last five games, the most points ever scored by a Rutgers team in five consecutive games.
Since the start of the 2006 season, Rutgers is 18-2 when scoring 30 points or more in a game.
November Success
With the win over Army on Nov. 22, Rutgers finished the month of November undefeated (3-0) for the first time under head coach Greg Schiano. The best record for the Scarlet Knights in November during Schiano’s tenure was 2-1 in 2006.
In 2008, the Scarlet Knights averaged 38 points per game during the month of November and outscored the opposition 114-36.
Turning Things Around
Rutgers is the seventh team in NCAA history to start the season 1-5 and play in a bowl game.
Year, Team Final record, bowl
1983, Mississippi 6-6, Independence
1993, Utah State 7-5, Las Vegas
1993, Texas Tech 6-6, Sun
2001, Pittsburgh 7-5, Tangerine
2002, North Texas 8-5, New Orleans
2006, Rice 7-6, New Orleans
Lighting Up the Scoreboard on the Road
Rutgers has totaled its two-highest point totals in school history in BIG EAST road games in 2008 with 54 points in the victory at Pittsburgh (Oct. 25) and 49 points scored in the win at USF (Nov. 15).
Rutgers scored more points at USF (49) than any other team vs. the Bulls in Tampa and the 33-point differential was the most lopsided result for the Bulls at home.
Most Points Scored in a BIG EAST Road Game
54 at Pittsburgh (10-25-08) W
49 at USF (11-15-08) W
42 at Virginia Tech (10-23-93) L
38 at Syracuse (10-13-07) W
38 at Louisville (11-29-07) L
Takeaways Key to Victory
In Rutgers’ seven wins this season, the Scarlet Knights forced 17 turnovers (7 interceptions, 10 fumble recoveries). In stark contrast, Rutgers did not record a takeaway in its five losses in 2008.
Offensive Explosion
Rutgers has scored 201 points in its last four BIG EAST games, the most by a Scarlet Knight team over a four-game stretch in BIG EAST play. The Scarlet Knights posted 54 points in a 54-34 victory at Pittsburgh and one week later tallied 35 in a 35-17 triumph over Syracuse. In the USF victory, RU had 49 points. Last time out, RU scored the most points in any conference game in school history in a 63-14 rout of Louisville.
In Rutgers’ 54-34 victory at No. 17 Pittsburgh on Oct. 25, the Scarlet Knights secured their first road victory over a ranked team since Sept. 24, 1988 at No. 15/13 Penn State (21-16 win).
The 54 points scored were the most points scored against a nationally-ranked opponent on the road in Rutgers’ history.
 |
TEEL |
Record-Setting Night
In the regular season-finale vs. Louisville, Rutgers rolled to a 63-14 victory over the Cardinals on Senior Night at Rutgers Stadium. Below are the records that were set in the game:
• Mike Teel’s six first-half touchdowns were the most in a
half of a BIG EAST game
• Teel tied the league and broke the Rutgers record with
seven touchdowns in a game
• Teel set the school record for passing yardage in a
game with 447
• Teel became the all-time Rutgers touchdown passing
leader with 57
• The seven touchdowns tied for the most touchdowns
in a game by a QB in BIG EAST history
• The 671 yards of total offense against Louisville tied for
the fifth-most in a BIG EAST game and were the most
by a Greg Schiano team at RU
• The 11.4 yards per play (59 for 671) marked the best
average in a game in BIG EAST history
• 63 points was the most scored by RU in a league game
• 49 first half points tied for the third-most points in a
half in BIG EAST history and the most by RU in a first
half of a league game
• Kenny Britt became Rutgers’ single-season leader in
receiving yards (1,252) and tied the school record for
single-season receptions (81)
BIG EAST Notes
Rutgers leads the BIG EAST in conference games only in seven statistical categories. The Scarlet Knights are tops in the league in conference play in scoring offense (34.3), pass efficiency (164.5), pass offense (285.1), kickoff returns (24.1), rushing defense (112.0), third-down conversions (48.4%) and sacks (21).
The Scarlet Knights are second in scoring defense (18.3), first downs (138), red zone defense (13-of-20, 65%), turnover margin (+5) and red zone offense (20-of-23, 87%).
Below are some of Rutgers’ individual leaders in conference play:
Category Player (Avg./Rank)
Receiving yards per game Kenny Britt (113.3/1st)
Receptions per game Kenny Britt (7.1/1st)
Forced fumbles Zaire Kitchen (2/T-2nd)
Kick return average Jason McCourty (26.2/2nd)
Passing yards per game Mike Teel (273.6/1st)
Pass efficiency Mike Teel (165.5/1st)
Total offense Mike Teel (265.7/1st)
 |
BRITT |
88 on the Reception
Junior WR Kenny Britt is putting up sensational numbers to merit strong consideration for All-America honors at wide receiver. Britt is second in the nation in receiving yards per game (113.8) and eighth in the country in receptions per game (7.4).
He is the only player nationally to be ranked in the top eight in receiving yards per game and receptions per game from a BCS conference.
Over the current six-game winning streak for the Scarlet Knights, Britt has put together some mind-boggling numbers. The New Jersey native has hauled in 44 receptions for 788 yards (17.9 yards per reception) and six touchdowns. He is averaging 131.3 receiving yards per game during the streak.
1,000 for KB
Kenny Britt is the first player in Rutgers history to record two consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons. Britt set the school record for single-season receiving yards in 2007 with 1,232 yards. In 2008, he broke his own school record with 1,252 yards receiving in just 11 games.
Britt has also tied the school record for single-season receptions with 81 in 2008.
The Century Club
Kenny Britt became Rutgers' all-time leader in career 100-yard receiving games in 2008. Britt has 13 career 100-yard games, including his 10-reception, 197-yard performance in the win over Army. Britt had five consecutive 100-yard games receiving, the longest streak in school history.
Eight of Britt’s 13 career 100-yard receiving games have come away from Piscataway.
Britt is tied for second in BIG EAST history in 100-yard receiving games,
BIG EAST Career 100-Yard Game Receiving Leaders
Total Player, School
14 Larry Fitzgerald, Pittsburgh (2002-03)
13 Antonio Bryant, Pittsburgh (1999-01)
13 Kenny Britt, Rutgers (2006--present)
11 Greg Lee, Pittsburgh (2003-05)
Marvin Harrison, Syracuse (1992-95)
Britt’s 100-yard receiving performances
Date Rec.-Yards-TD Opponent
11-22-08 10-197-0 Army
10-13-07 6-176-1 at Syracuse
11-15-08 8-173-1 at USF
11-29-07 12-173-2 at Louisville
10-4-08 12-151-0 at West Virginia
10-25-08 5-143-3 at #17 Pittsburgh
1-5-08 6-125-1 vs. Ball State^
11-3-07 8-122-0 at #16 Connecticut
9-15-07 4-121-2 Norfolk State
12-2-06 10-119-0 at #15 West Virginia¬
9-11-08 8-109-0 North Carolina
11-8-08 9-107-1 Syracuse
10-18-08 9-107-0 Connecticut
^ in Toronto, Ontario (International Bowl)
Britt Continues Assault on Record Books
Kenny Britt is Rutgers’ all-time career leader with 2,924 career receiving yards.
Britt owns the single-season school record with 1,252 receiving yards in 2008. Britt is third in Rutgers’ career annals with 172 receptions and tied for second with 16 career touchdown receptions. He has also caught a pass in 30 straight games, tied for the seventh-longest streak in the BIG EAST.
Rutgers Career Receiving Yards Leaders
1. Kenny Britt (2006-present) 2,924
2. Tres Moses (2001-05) 2,522
Rutgers Career Reception Leaders
1. Brian Leonard (2003-06) 207
2. Tres Moses (2001-05) 192
3. Kenny Britt (2006-present) 172
Rutgers Career Touchdown Reception Leaders
1. Chris Brantley (1990-93) 17
2. Marco Battaglia (1992-95) 16
Tres Moses (2001-05) 16
Kenny Britt (2006-present) 16
Britt in the Active Career Rankings
Kenny Britt is second among Football Bowl Subdivision active players with a career average of 88.6 receiving yards per game. He is also third among active players nationally in receiving yards per catch (17.0), seventh in career receiving yards (2,924) and 16th in receptions per game (5.2).
Britt Looking to Join Elite Company in the BIG EAST
Kenny Britt is just 80 yards shy of the BIG EAST all-time record for career receiving yards. Currently, Britt is second in conference history with 2,924 career receiving yards. .
BIG EAST Receiving Yardage Leaders
1. Dietrich Jells, Pittsburgh (1991-95) 3,003
2. Kenny Britt, Rutgers (2006-present) 2,924
3. Harry Douglas, Louisville (2005-07) 2,881
4. Antonio Bryant, Pittsburgh (1999-01) 2,805
5. Larry Fitzgerald, Pittsburgh (2002-03) 2,728
Britt also ranks in the BIG EAST record books in:
• Receptions per game - season (7.4/1st) • Yards per game - season (113.8/4th)
• Receptions - career (172/8th) • Yards in a season (1,252/5th)
• Receptions - season (81/T-2nd) • 100-yard games - career (13/T-2nd)
• Consecutive games with a reception (30/T-7th) • 100-yard games - season (7/T-2nd)
Inside the Numbers
During Rutgers’ current six-game winning streak, the Scarlet Knights have outscored the opposition 243-94 and are averaging 472 total yards of offense per game and 40.5 points per contest. Here are some other notes during the streak:
• Rutgers is 19-of-25 in the red zone (76%) while limiting the opposition to just 9-of-17 in
the red zone (53%)
• Rutgers has 18 sacks
• Rutgers has outscored the opposition 103-27 in the second quarter
• Rutgers is converting 54% of third-down conversions while the opponent has been held
to a 32% conversion rate on third downs
• Rutgers has been penalized just 45.5 yards per game
• Rutgers is averaging 327.5 passing yards per game and 144.5 rushing yards
• Mike Teel is averaging 321.5 passing yards per game and has completed 68% of his
passes, including 20 touchdown passes
Sack the Quarterback
Rutgers sacked Syracuse’s quarterbacks a season-high five times in the 35-17 victory over the Orange.
After totaling just three sacks through the first three games of the season, Rutgers has posted 24 sacks over the last nine games.
Getting Defensive
Rutgers limited Morgan State to 109 yards of total offense on Sept. 27, the fewest yards ever allowed by a Rutgers squad under Greg Schiano. The Scarlet Knights limited the Bears to eight first downs and 32 yards rushing in the 38-0 victory.
Rutgers yielded just 168 yards in the win over Syracuse on Nov. 8. The 168 yards allowed was the ninth-lowest showing under Schiano. It marked the second-lowest total vs. a BIG EAST opponent during Schiano’s tenure for the Scarlet Knights. Syracuse totaled 82 yards on one play – Doug Hogue’s touchdown – in the first quarter.
Fewest Total Yards Allowed During Schiano Era
Date Opponent Total Yards Allowed
9-27-08 Morgan State* 109
9-16-06 Ohio 119
9-15-07 Norfolk State* 122
9-9-06 Illinois* 126
11-26-05 Cincinnati 146
11-9-07 at Army 152
10-14-06 at Navy* 161
12-28-06 Kansas State (Texas Bowl) 162
11-8-08 Syracuse 168
9-23-06 Howard 172
11-25-06 Syracuse 191
11-29-03 Syracuse 198
 |
BROWN |
What Can Brown Do for You?
Junior WR Tim Brown has given the Rutgers offense the big play in 2008 and throughout his career. The Miami native leads the team with 20.9 yards per reception and is tied for the team lead with six touchdown receptions this season.
He has 11 career touchdown receptions and has averaged 39.7 yards per TD catch over his career. In two bowl games, Brown has caught three touchdown passes, including the first TD of the game in both the Texas and International Bowls.
For his career, Brown has 59 receptions for 1,107 yards and 11 touchdowns. Nearly 20 percent of the time Brown has caught a pass it has gone for a touchdown.
 |
YOUNG |
Kordell Carries the Load
Redshirt sophomore RB Kordell Young made his return from a torn ACL and earned the start at running back in the season-opener vs. Fresno State.
The West Deptford, N.J., native rushed for 94 yards on 26 carries in the season-opener vs. Fresno State.
He missed the next four games due to a sore knee before returning for the Cincinnati game.
Young started at UC and led all RU players with 78 yards rushing. He also threw the first touchdown pass of his career on a 17-yard TD pass to Jack Corcoran.
Young posted his first career 100-yard game with a career-best 143 yards on a career-high 29 carries and one touchdown in the 35-17 victory vs. Syracuse. Young finished the day with 170 yards of total offense, another career-high for the New Jersey native. For his efforts vs. the Orange, Young was named BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week.
 |
D'IMPERIO |
Slowing Down the Nation’s Best
The Rutgers defense held the nation’s leading rusher in Connecticut’s Donald Brown to 107 rushing yards on 27 attempts, including just seven yards in the second half on Oct. 18. It was his lowest output of the season by 39 yards and was 70.8 yards below his per game average.
The game vs. UConn also marked the second time in 2008 Rutgers played against the nation’s leading rusher. On Sept. 20 at Navy, the Scarlet Knights faced that week’s national leading rusher in Shun White of Navy, who was held to 85 yards.
D’Imperio Manning the Middle
Junior MLB Ryan D’Imperio, a second-team All-BIG EAST selection, has manned the middle of the Rutgers’ defense in 2008 and has been one of the team’s top defenders. He is fifth in the BIG EAST with 7.3 tackles per game. D’Imperio recorded 11 tackles in the 12-10 victory over Connecticut on Oct. 18 and was named the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts.
On the season, D’Imperio is second on the team with 88 tackles. He recorded a career-high three sacks in the win at USF Nov. 15.
 |
MALAST |
34 On the Tackle
Senior LB Kevin Malast has been as steady as they come in the BIG EAST at linebacker since becoming a starter in 2007. After finishing second on the team with 92 tackles as a junior, Malast leads RU and is fourth in the BIG EAST in tackles in 2008. He has 96 tackles on the season.
Malast led all players in the Fresno State game with nine tackles and has posted at least seven stops in 10 games this season.
Welcome to Rutgers
Here is the list of Scarlet Knights who have made their first career appearances this season:
Player Year Pos.
Marvin Booker Fr. LB (special teams)
Jourdan Brooks R-Fr. RB
Marcus Cooper Fr. WR
Teddy Dellaganna R-So. P (starter)
Art Forst Fr. RG (starter)
Patrick Kivlehan Fr. DB (special teams)
Al-Ghaffaar Lane R-Fr. LB (special teams)
Eric LeGrand Fr. DE/FB
Joe Martinek R-Fr. RB
Marlon Romulus R-So. OL
David Rowe Fr. DB
Caleb Ruch R-Fr. LG/RG (starter)
San San Te R-Fr. PK (starter)
Wayne Thomas R-Fr. DL (special teams)
Scott Vallone Fr. DL
Rutgers Stadium Expansion
The Board of Governors of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, approved a plan in January of 2008 to expand Rutgers Stadium.
The $102 million project, which will increase the stadium’s seating capacity to 56,000, will be funded entirely by the revenue generated from ticket sales for the 14,000 new seats and from private donations. Rutgers students will continue to have access to football tickets free of charge.
The first phase of the project - a new mezzanine level with club seats and loge boxes - opened to rave reviews Sept. 1 at the Fresno State game.
Airing it Out
Senior QB Mike Teel set a school record with 20 touchdown passes in 2007. He also finished second in single-season school history with 3,147 yards passing.
In 2008, Teel broke his own school record for touchdown passes with 23 through 12 games. He needs 49 yards passing in the PapaJohns.com Bowl to establish a new single-season record at RU.
Teel is the second player in Rutgers history with three consecutive 300-yard passing games. Ryan Hart (2002-05) holds the school record for consecutive 300-yard passing games with seven during the 2004 season.
Teel is second in Rutgers history with nine, 300-yard passing games. He threw for a school-record 447 yards and seven touchdowns in the win over Louisville en route to BIG EAST Player of the Week honors.
The senior from Oakland, N.J. is 28-13 as Rutgers’ starting quarterback. He has started 38 consecutive games under center.
 |
TVERDOV |
Tough Up the Middle
Senior captain and DT Pete Tverdov is one of the team’s defensive anchors in 2008. He is tied for seventh in the BIG EAST in tackles for loss per game with 1.1 TFLs per contest. Tverdov has recorded a TFL in 10 of 11 games he has played in this season.
Dating back to 2007, Tverdov has registered a TFL in 14 of the last 15 games.
He started the season in strong fashion in the first game of the year vs. Fresno State. Tverdov was all over the field in the opener, finishing with seven tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, one QB hurry and a pass breakup.
Block Party
Junior CB Devin McCourty has been one of the team’s top special teams standouts throughout his career. McCourty has blocked four career kicks, including the third punt block of his career vs. Navy on Sept. 20. All four of McCourty’s blocked kicks have led to Rutgers touchdowns.
McCourty has also scored two touchdowns in his career on a pair of interception returns. He returned a pick 36 yards for a touchdown vs. Cincinnati in 2007 and returned an INT 38 yards for a score his freshman year in 2006 vs. Illinois.
Return to Sender
In his 44th career game at Rutgers, senior CB Jason McCourty intercepted the first pass of his career and returned the pick 30 yards for a touchdown in the 49-16 win at USF Nov. 15. He joined his twin brother Devin in returning the first interception of his career for a touchdown. Devin returned his first career INT in 2006 vs. Illinois for a touchdown.
Jason McCourty wasted little time as he collected his second career INT in the second half vs. the Bulls.
In addition, he returned a kickoff for a career-long 59 yards to setup a touchdown en route to earning BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week honors.
 |
MARTINEK |
Wild Knight
Redshirt freshman RB Joe Martinek debuted at quarterback and took the direct snap vs. Syracuse and rumbled 45 yards for a touchdown. Martinek finished with two carries for 51 yards after taking a direct snap.
One week later, Martinek ran wild vs. the Bulls of USF. The freshman collected career-highs in rushing yards (98), attempts (21) and touchdowns (2) in the win.
On the season, Martinek is averaging an impressive 5.2 yards per carry.
Martinek was the 2006 Gatorade New Jersey State Player of the Year and is the all-time leading rusher in New Jersey high school football history with 7,589 rushing yards and 80 touchdowns.
He finished his high school career as the No. 38 rusher in high school history with 7,589 rushing yards.
Martinek also made one of the season’s best special teams plays with a tackle on UConn’s opening kickoff return of the second half, tackling the kick returner at the one-yard line.
 |
KITCHEN |
Comeback in the Kitchen
Junior SS Zaire Kitchen has been one of the best stories of the season for the Scarlet Knights. Kitchen has overcome three ACL surgeries during his career, including two at Rutgers, and made it all the way back into the starting lineup Sept. 20 at Navy.
Kitchen played in nine games in 2007 before his season was cut short with a torn ACL against Pittsburgh. During his freshman campaign in 2006, Kitchen played in 11 games before an ACL injury ended his year prematurely.
Kitchen led a stingy RU defense with a career-high seven tackles and a game-changing sack and forced fumble in the Syracuse victory. With the score tied at 14 in the third quarter, Kitchen sacked SU QB Cameron Dantley and forced a fumble, which RU recovered and led to a touchdown. It marked the second straight game Kitchen forced a fumble in the third quarter of a league win which led to a RU touchdown on the ensuing drive.
Against Army, Kitchen forced a fumble that SS Joe Lefeged picked up and raced 58 yards for a touchdown.
Not in a Rush
Since Greg Schiano took over as defensive coordinator for the Scarlet Knights, Rutgers’ defense has limited the opposition to less than 100 yards rushing 18 times, including three games with negative yards rushing.
Ten times during Schiano’s tenure as defensive coordinator, the Rutgers defense has yielded less than 200 yards of total offense to an opponent.
Teel in the Record Books
Mike Teel owns Rutgers’ all-time records for career passing yards, career total offense and career touchdowns.
Career Passing Yards
1. Mike Teel (2005-present) 9,064
2. Ryan Hart (2002-05) 8,482
Career Touchdowns
1. Mike Teel (2005-present) 57
2. Ryan Hart (2002-05) 52
Career Attempts
1. Ryan Hart (2002-05) 1,217
2. Scott Erney (1986-89) 1,128
3. Mike Teel (2005-present) 1,105
Career Completions
1. Ryan Hart (2002-05) 735
2. Mike Teel (2005-present) 639
Career Yards of Total Offense
1. Mike Teel (2005-present) 8,852
2. Ryan Hart (2002-05) 8,149
 |
GREENE |
Consistent Courtney
Since he arrived on campus as a freshman in 2005, Courtney Greene has started at free safety for the Scarlet Knights. The New Rochelle, N.Y., native, has started a school-record 50 consecutive games and is fourth in Rutgers history with 382 career tackles.
Career Tackle Leaders
1. Tyronne Stowe (1983-86) 533
2. Jim Dumont (1979-83) 448
3. Brian Sheridan (1993-97) 389
4. Courtney Greene (2005-present) 382
No. 3 Nationally in APR
The Rutgers football team was ranked No. 3 in the nation in the Academic Progress Rate according to the latest APR figures released by the NCAA. The Scarlet Knights have a four-year APR score of 977, which covers the academic years of 2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06 and 2006-07.
The top five Football Bowl Subdivision schools in terms of APR are Stanford (986), Navy (979), Rutgers (977), Duke (977) and Air Force (976). For the second consecutive year, Rutgers football has the best APR mark of any state university in the nation.
The Rutgers football team was one of only six Football Bowl Subdivision programs to be ranked in the top 10 percent in the APR scores. Rutgers is the lone state university on the list and the only institution to have its football team ranked in the top 10 percent of the APR and to have won a bowl game last season.
Rutgers in the NFL
As of Dec. 17, 17 former Scarlet Knights are on NFL rosters, including the captains of the previous two Super Bowl winners - Shaun O’Hara with the New York Giants and Gary Brackett of the Indianapolis Colts. Of the 16 players currently in the NFL from Rutgers, 16 were coached by Greg Schiano at Rutgers.
Gary Brackett (1999-02) Indianapolis
Mike Fladell (2003-07) N.Y. Giants
Eric Foster (2003-07) Indianapolis
Gary Gibson (2001-04) Carolina
Clark Harris (2003-06) Houston
Nate Jones (2000-03) Miami
Brian Leonard (2003-06) St. Louis
Ryan Neill (2001-02, 04-05) Buffalo
Shaun O’Hara (1997-99) N.Y. Giants
Joe Porter (2003-06) Green Bay
Brandon Renkart (2003-06) N.Y. Jets
Ray Rice (2005-07) Baltimore
Derrick Roberson (2003-06) Baltimore
L.J. Smith (1999-02) Philadelphia
Darnell Stapleton (2005-06) Pittsburgh
Cameron Stephenson (2004-06) Jacksonville
Jeremy Zuttah (2004-07) Tampa Bay
|
