Senior LB Ryan D'Imperio is interviewed by local media at BIG EAST Media Day.

NEWPORT, R.I.   – Rutgers head football coach Greg Schiano along with seniors Ryan Blaszczyk (Medford Lakes, N.J.), Ryan D’Imperio (Sewell, N.J.) and Devin McCourty (Nanuet, N.Y.) represented the Scarlet Knights Tuesday at BIG EAST Football Media Day at the Hotel Viking in Newport, R.I.

Schiano and the players met with both the electronic and print media for nearly three hours as the league officially begins the 2009 football season.

The Scarlet Knights report to camp August 10 and hit the practice fields for the first time on August 11.

Rutgers was picked to finish fifth in the BIG EAST’s annual preseason media poll. If the results of the conference’s annual preseason media poll are any indication, no one can really be sure what to expect with regard to the 2009 BIG EAST title. In a poll that saw four different teams earn multiple first-place votes and the top five teams separated by just 35 points, the Scarlet Knights were slated in the No. 5 spot.

Rutgers was chosen fifth in the poll with 126 points, just four points behind USF. Schiano’s Scarlet Knights will have to replace impact players at quarterback and wide receiver, but All-BIG EAST tackle Anthony Davis (Piscataway, N.J.) leads a veteran offensive line that should rank among the nation’s best in 2009.

The Scarlet Knights closed out the 2008 season with seven consecutive victories, including a 29-23 win over NC State in the PapaJohns.com Bowl. The Scarlet Knights have appeared in four consecutive bowls and have won three straight bowl championships.

The seven-game win streak is tied for the fourth longest active streak in the nation.

Rutgers opens the 2009 season Monday, Sept. 7 vs. Cincinnati at Rutgers Stadium. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. on ESPN.

2009 BIG EAST FOOTBALL PRESEASON MEDIA POLL

Rank    Team                        Pts.
1.         Pittsburgh (8)           161
2.         West Virginia (5)      151
3.         Cincinnati (8)           144
4.         USF (3)                  130
5.         Rutgers                 126
6.         Connecticut              74
7.         Louisville                  51
8.         Syracuse                   27

First Place Votes in Parentheses