USF (6-2) at RUTGERS (6-2)
Thursday, November 12 7:30 p.m.
Rutgers Stadium Piscataway, N.J.
Rankings: Rutgers (RV-AP, RV-Coaches) USF (RV-AP, RV-Coaches, #25 BCS)
Series Record: Rutgers leads, 3-1
Last Meeting: Rutgers 49, USF 16
Television: ESPN Chris Fowler, Play-by-Play; Craig James, Color Analyst; Jesse Palmer, Color Analyst; Erin Andrews, Sideline Reporter
SNY : Rutgers Rush Hour (60-minute replay) Friday, Nov. 13 - 6 a.m., 9 a.m., 6:30 p.m.; Full-Game Replay
Friday, Nov. 13 - 1 p.m.
Internet: ESPN360.com
Radio: Rutgers Football Radio Network
Affiliates: WOR 710-AM (New York City); WPHT 1210-AM (Philadelphia/South Jersey); WCTC 1450-AM (Central Jersey)
Live Statistics: ScarletKnights.com
Student Radio: WRSU 88.7 FM
Satellite Radio: Satellite Radio: Sirius ; XM
BIG EAST/ISP National Radio: John Rooke (Play-by-Play) and Peter Brock (Color Analyst)
Rutgers looks for its 14th victory over its last 16 games as the Scarlet Knights host USF Thursday, November 12 in primetime on ESPN.
Thursday’s game on ESPN will be available in HD as Chris Fowler (play-by-play), Craig James (color analyst), Jesse Palmer (color analyst) and Erin Andrews (sidelines) have the call.
The Rutgers Radio Network has pre-game coverage at 6:30 p.m. Chris Carlin, Ray Lucas and Anthony Fucilli will call the action on WOR-710 AM in New York City, WCTC-1450 AM in Central Jersey and WPEN-1210 AM in Philadelphia and South Jersey.
The Rutgers radio feed is also available nationally on satellite radio. The channel listings will be announced Monday.
Inside the Rutgers-USF Series
Rutgers is 3-1 all-time vs. USF and has won three consecutive games vs. the Bulls. Last season, Rutgers stopped USF 49-16 in Tampa. The last time the two teams met in Piscataway, ESPN’s Thursday night crew was on hand as the Scarlet Knights defeated the second-ranked Bulls, 30-27.
Rutgers has 11 players on its roster from the Sunshine State, including the following starters: WR Tim Brown (Miami), TE D.C. Jefferson (Winter Haven), LB Antonio Lowery (Miami), LB Damaso Munoz (Miami) and CB David Rowe (Cocoa).
Rowe’s older brother James, was a pitcher on USF’s baseball team from 2005-07.
Thursday Night Football in Piscataway
For the fourth consecutive year, ESPN will broadcast a Thursday night primetime game from Piscataway in 2009.
Over the last three years, Rutgers has delivered tremendous ratings and two victories over top-three ranked teams on ESPN’s Thursday night broadcast.
In 2006, No. 15 Rutgers defeated No. 3 Louisville 28-25 in a battle of unbeatens. The game drew a rating of 5.03 nationally and 8.15 in New York City, the highest-ever rating for an ESPN college sporting event in the New York television market.
In 2007, the Scarlet Knights stopped No. 2 USF 30-27 on ESPN’s Thursday night broadcast. The game’s rating of 3.39 tied for the highest ESPN Thursday night rating of the year.
Since 2005, Rutgers is 6-3 in night games at Rutgers Stadium on ESPN or ESPN2.
Coming of Age
For a program that lost six players from last season’s team that are on active NFL rosters in 2009, Rutgers has started the season 6-2.
The Scarlet Knights have 20 players on their current two-deep roster with two or more years of eligibility remaining, including eight freshmen. Two true freshmen are in the starting lineup in QB Tom Savage and WR Mohamed Sanu.
Rutgers has just 12 scholarship seniors on the 2009 roster.
The Birthplace of College Football
Rutgers is playing its 140th year of college football and the ninth under head coach Greg Schiano in 2009. The Scarlet Knights hosted the first game in college football history on Nov. 6, 1869 with a 6-4 victory over Princeton at College Field.
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SAVAGE
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Savage Among True Freshmen QB Leaders
Tom Savage is one of nine true freshman QBs to serve as the primary starter in the Football Bowl Subdivision. He leads all true freshmen quarterbacks nationally in touchdown-to-interception ratio, is tied for third in touchdown passes, third in passing yards per game and fourth in passing yards.
2009 True freshman QB starters (sorted by passing yards)
1. Matt Barkley - Southern California
GP C-A-I Pct. Yards TD Long Avg./G
7 118-199-6 59.3 1,727 9 60 246.7
2. Spencer Keith – Kent State
GP C-A-I Pct. Yards TD Long Avg./G
8 120-204-8 58.8 1,538 11 58 192.2
3. Tate Forcier - Michigan
GP C-A-I Pct. Yards TD Long Avg./G
9 107-193-5 55.4 1,424 9 76 158.2
4. Tom Savage – Rutgers
GP C-A-I Pct. Yards TD Long Avg./G
7 94-168-1 56.0 1,341 8 81 191.6
5. Austyn Carta-Samuels - Wyoming
GP C-A-I Pct. Yards TD Long Avg./G
8 127-219-3 58.0 1,178 6 54 147.2
6. Nick Florence – Baylor
GP C-A-I Pct. Yards TD Long Avg./G
6 84-147-4 57.1 942 2 44 157.0
7. Jeff Tuel - Washington State
GP C-A-I Pct. Yards TD Long Avg./G
5 66-111-5 59.5 766 6 99 153.2
8. Patrick Nicely – Akron
GP C-A-I Pct. Yards TD Long Avg./G
4 53-109-2 48.6 613 1 46 153.2
9. Trent Steelman – Army
GP C-A-I Pct. Yards TD Long Avg./G
8 27-55-1 49.1 282 2 30 35.2
Protecting the Pigskin
Rutgers is +26 in turnover differential over its last 15 games (13-2). The Scarlet Knights have gained 25 turnovers this season, including at least one in every game. In total, Rutgers has forced a turnover in 14 straight games.
Rutgers leads the nation in turnover differential (2.25).
In 2009, Rutgers is +18 in turnover differential (25 turnovers, 7 giveaways).
Over the last 15 games, Rutgers has gained a total of 42 turnovers.
13-2
Rutgers has won 13 of its last 15 games, dating back to the 2008 season. The Scarlet Knights are 6-0 on the road during the streak.
Over the last 15 games, Rutgers has held seven opponents to under 300 yards of total offense, including a low of 126 yards of total offense vs. Texas Southern.
November Success “On the Banks”
Rutgers has won six consecutive home games in the month of November. The Scarlet Knights last loss at home in November was vs. USF in 2005 when the Bulls stopped the Scarlet Knights 45-31 on Nov. 5, 2005. Rutgers committed six turnovers in the 2005 loss vs. the Bulls.
Home Success in November (since 2005)
Date Opponent Result
11/22/08 Army W, 30-3
11/8/08 Syracuse W, 35-17
11/17/07 Pittsburgh W, 20-16
11/25/06 Syracuse W, 38-7
11/9/06 #3/4 Louisville W, 28-25
11/26/05 Cincinnati W, 44-9
11/5/05 USF L, 45-31
The Turnover Story
Rutgers has turned the ball over just seven times through eight games, including four turnovers over the previous seven games. During Greg Schiano’s nine-year tenure, the seven turnovers are the fewest amount for Rutgers through eight games.
Defensively, the Scarlet Knights have gained 25 turnovers through eight games. The 25 turnovers already rank as the third-highest season total under Schiano.
Turnovers During the Schiano Era
Year Season Total Through 8 Games
2009 - 7
2008 20 12
2007 25 17
2006 20 15
2005 23 12
2004 35 26
2003 29 20
2002 38 23
2001 42 35
Turnovers Gained During the Schiano Era
Year Season Total Through 8 Games
2009 - 25
2008 21 6
2007 19 10
2006 31 21
2005 20 16
2004 28 20
2003 23 20
2002 25 14
2001 20 15
A Continuing Trend
Rutgers is on track to allow under four yards per rush for the fourth time in five seasons. While three games remain in the season, Rutgers’ opponents have averaged just 3.3 yards per rush on 256 attempts through eight games.
Against the Run Under Schiano
Year Attempts Yards Yards Per Carry
2009 256 854 3.3
2008 469 1,763 3.8
2007 513 2,076 4.0
2006 447 1,313 2.9
2005 483 1,596 3.3
2004 460 1,960 4.3
2003 462 1,957 4.2
2002 525 2,484 4.7
2001 473 2,535 5.4
National Leader in Turnover Margin
Rutgers leads the nation in turnover margin (+2.25) per game. The Scarlet Knights have gained 14 fumbles and 11 interceptions in 2009.
NCAA Turnover Margin Leaders
Team Fumbles Gained Interceptions Gained Total Turnover Margin
1. Rutgers 14 11 25 2.25
2. Air Force 13 11 24 2.00
3. Cincinnati 3 14 17 1.63
4. Notre Dame 6 11 17 1.38
5. Boise State 6 13 19 1.25
5. Northern Ill. 10 6 16 1.25
5. Texas 10 16 26 1.25
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BROWN
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Downtown to Brown
Tim Brown is one of the nation’s top wide receivers in 2009. The Miami native is eighth nationally with 101.4 receiving yards per game. He is the only player in the nation to rank in the top 10 nationally in receiving yards per game and average over 20 yards per reception (21.9).
Only four players in the nation rank in the top 50 in receiving yards per game and average over 20 yards per reception, led by Brown.
Brown is averaging a staggering 47.8 yards per touchdown reception in 2009 over his five scoring plays.
For his career, Brown’s 16 career touchdowns have averaged 42.3 yards per reception.
What Can Brown Do for You?
Tim Brown has continued to get better and better as his career has progressed at Rutgers. The senior WR leads the team with 37 receptions for 811 yards in 2009. Brown also leads RU in yards per reception (21.9) and receiving yards per game (101.4).
Tim Brown Year-by-Year
Year GP Rec. Yards Avg. TD Yards Per Game
2006 10 8 202 25.2 3 20.2
2007 12 24 340 14.2 2 28.3
2008 13 27 565 20.9 6 43.5
2009 8 37 811 21.9 5 101.4
Touchdown Brown
Tim Brown is tied for third in school history with 16 career touchdown receptions. He is also eighth in RU history with 1,918 career receiving yards.
Labeled the “most dangerous deep threat in the BIG EAST” by Lindy’s, Brown is second in school history with eight career 100-yard receiving games.
In 2009, 29 of Brown’s 37 receptions have resulted in a first down or touchdown. On third downs, 14 of his 17 receptions have moved the chains.
Rutgers Career 100-Yard Receiving Game Leaders
1. Kenny Britt (2006-08) 14
2. Tim Brown (2006-present) 8
3. Tres Moses (2001-05) 7
3. Marco Battaglia (1992-95) 7
5. Tiquan Underwood (2005-08) 6
Rutgers Career Receiving Yardage Leaders
1. Kenny Britt (2006-08) 3,043
2. Tres Moses (2001-05) 2,522
3. Andrew Baker (1981-84) 2,268
4. Marco Battaglia (1992-95) 2,221
5. Jim Guarantano (1989-92) 2,065
6. Clark Harris (2003-06) 2,015
7. Tiquan Underwood (2005-08) 1,931
8. Tim Brown (2006-present) 1,918
Rutgers Career Receiving Touchdown Leaders
1. Kenny Britt (2006-08) 17
1. Chris Brantley (1990-93) 17
3. Tim Brown (2006-present) 16
3. Marco Battaglia (1992-95) 16
3. Tiquan Underwood (2005-08) 16
3. Marco Battaglia (1992-95) 16
Game #100 is in the Win Column
Greg Schiano became the fourth coach in 140 years of Rutgers football to coach at least 100 games for the Scarlet Knights. John Bateman guided the Scarlet Knights for 13 seasons and has coached the most games in school history - 124.
Schiano’s 100th game was a 23-15 victory over Florida International. The game was also the first for Schiano vs. a former assistant in Mario Cristobal of FIU. Cristobal served on Schiano’s staff at Rutgers from 2001-03.
Schiano won his 50th game at Rutgers in impressive fashion in a 42-0 shutout of Texas Southern Oct. 10. Schiano is one of five coaches in school history to win 50 or more games.
Rutgers Head Coaches with 100 Games
Head Coach Record Years at RU Games
John Bateman 73-51 1960-72 124
Frank Burns 78-43-1 1973-83 122
Harvey Harman 74-44-2 1938-41. 46-55 120
Greg Schiano 52-53 2001-present 105
Inside the 100
Greg Schiano has had a remarkable turnaround during his tenure at Rutgers. After starting 15-35 overall in his first 50 games, Schiano is 37-18 in his last 55 games, including four consecutive bowls for the Scarlet Knights.
Overall BIG EAST
Games 1-50 15-35 4-24
Games 51-100 33-17 16-12
Games 101- 3-1 1-1
Total 52-53 21-37
Shutout in Four Straight Seasons
Rutgers is one of two teams in the nation to record a shutout in each of the last four seasons. In 2006, Rutgers blanked Illinois and Navy. In 2007, Norfolk State was shutout and Morgan State was held scoreless in 2008. In 2009, Rutgers shutout Texas Southern 42-0.
Rutgers - (2006: Illinois and Navy; 2007: Norfolk State; 2008: Morgan State; 2009: Texas Southern)
Boise State - (2006: Sacramento State; 2007: New Mexico State and Utah State; 2008: New Mexico State; 2009: Miami, Ohio)
Savage Era Begins in Impressive Fashion
Tom Savage was the fifth quarterback in school history to start as a true freshman for the Scarlet Knights and became just the second true freshman QB to win a game for the Scarlet Knights in RU’s 45-7 win over Howard. He joined Ryan Hart (2002/4 starts), Ryan Cubit (2001/11 starts), Mike McMahon (1997/5 starts) and Jacque LaPrairie (1981/1 start) as the only true freshmen to start at quarterback in school history for Rutgers.
True Freshman Quarterbacks During the Schiano Era
Greg Schiano has played three true freshmen at quarterback during his tenure as head coach - Tom Savage in 2009, Ryan Cubit in 2001 and Ryan Hart in 2002.
Savage made his Scarlet Knight debut vs. Cincinnati in the season-opener. The true freshman was 15-of-23 passing for 135 yards and a touchdown vs. the Bearcats.
Savage, a four-year letterwinner and three-year starter at quarterback for head coach Dan Algeo at Cardinal O’Hara High School, was rated as the No. 3 pro style quarterback in the nation by Tom Lemming -MaxPreps.com and the No. 8 pro style quarterback nationally by SuperPrep Magazine.
Record-Setting First Start for Savage
Tom Savage finished the Howard game 8-for-13 for 223 yards and two touchdowns. Savage set a Rutgers school record for yards per completion by a true freshman QB with 27.8 yards per completion. He broke the single-game record set by Ryan Cubit vs. Navy in 2001, when Cubit passed for an average of 25.1 yards per completion vs. the Mids (13-of-20, 327 yards).
The 223 yards passing was the fifth-best single-game total in school history by a true freshman.
In Rare Company
Tom Savage is one five players who have earned time at quarterback as true freshmen for the Scarlet Knights. Savage is 5-1 as a starter, the most victories by a true freshman QB in school history.
True Freshman QB W-L Record as Starting QB
Quarterback, Year Overall Record BIG EAST Record
Tom Savage, 2009 5-1 1-1
Ryan Hart, 2002 0-4 0-3
Ryan Cubit, 2001 2-9 0-7
Mike McMahon, 1997 0-5 0-3
Jacque LaPrairie, 1981 0-1
Strong Performance in BIG EAST Opener
Tom Savage recorded career-highs in completions (23), attempts (39) and passing yards (248) in his first career BIG EAST start Oct. 16 vs. Pitt. Savage’s 248 yards passing were the second-highest total by a true freshman QB in school history in a BIG EAST game. Mike McMahon holds the school record for single-game passing yards vs. a BIG EAST opponent with 269 yards vs. Pitt in 1997.
Key Production on Third and Fourth Down
Tom Savage has performed best under pressure this season when passing on third and fourth down. Below is a breakdown of Savage’s statistics on third and fourth down:
Third Down
Comp. Att. Pct. First Downs TD
39 64 60% 22 0
Fourth Down
Comp. Att. Pct. First Downs TD
5 6 83% 4 2
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SANU
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Sensational Start for Sanu
Mohamed Sanu became the first true freshman to start at wide receiver for the Scarlet Knights in his first game in the Greg Schiano era. Sanu is also the only player on the current roster to start as a true freshman in his first game as a Scarlet Knight.
Sanu caught the most passes by a true freshman WR in his first career start at Rutgers with 10 receptions for 101 yards vs. Cincinnati.
Sanu is just the fourth true freshman to start at wide receiver for Rutgers since Greg Schiano became head coach in 2001.
Sanu is second on the team in receptions (32) and receiving yards (291).
Balanced Ground Attack
Rutgers has four players on the 2009 roster with 100-yard games in their career, including three different 100-yard rushers this season.
It is the first time since the 2002 season that Rutgers has had a 100-yard rushing performance by three different running backs in the same season.
Joe Martinek, Jourdan Brooks, De’Antwan Williams and Kordell Young have each posted 100-yard games during their career. Martinek, Brooks and Williams have surpassed the century mark this season.
Rutgers is 5-0 this season when a player rushes for 100 yards in a game.
100-Yard Rushers on 2009 Roster
Player Opponent Att. Yards TD
Jourdan Brooks Howard (‘09) 17 124 3
Jourdan Brooks at Navy (‘08) 22 134 2
Jourdan Brooks Louisville (‘08) 11 124 1
Joe Martinek FIU (‘09) 23 121 0
Joe Martinek at Maryland (‘09) 19 147 2
Joe Martinek at Army (‘09) 25 147 2
De’Antwan Williams Texas Southern (‘09) 19 132 1
Kordell Young Syracuse (‘08) 29- 143 1
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MARTNEK
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Back-to-Back
Sophomore running back Joe Martinek became the first Scarlet Knight since Ray Rice in 2007 to rush for 100 yards in two consecutive games. Martinek went over the century mark for the first time in his career with 121 yards vs. Florida International. He eclipsed his career-high with 147 yards rushing, including 130 in the fourth quarter, including two touchdowns in the 34-13 victory over Maryland.
Martinek continued his fourth quarter heroics with nine rushes for 82 yards and a touchdown at Army en route to 147 yards in the Rutgers win.
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 his first eight seasons at the helm of the program, Schiano has guided Rutgers to four consecutive 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 3-2 in postseason play.
The “Chop Shop”
A school-record crowd was in attendance on Labor Day as the Scarlet Knights opened the season vs. Cincinnati.
Over the last three years, Rutgers is 18-7 at home. Since taking over as head coach in 2001, Greg Schiano’s teams are 31-26 at Rutgers Stadium.
Top Crowds in Rutgers Stadium History
1. Cincinnati 47, Rutgers 15 (9/7/09) 53,737
2. Pitt 24, Rutgers 17 50,296
3. Rutgers 42, Texas So. 0 (10/10/09) 50,169
4. Rutgers 23, FIU 15 (9/19/09) 45,273
5. Rutgers 30, #2 USF 27 (10/18/07) 44,267
Three Freshmen On ESPNU Top 150 List
Rutgers was the only school in the BIG EAST to have three of the nation’s top 150 recruits on the ESPNU150 Class of 2009. Freshman CB Darrell Givens was rated as the nation’s No. 61 recruit, Tom Savage was rated No. 125 and freshman DT Antwan Lowery was No. 134 on the top 150 list nationally.
2009 Recruiting Class Ranked Among Nation’s Top 25
Rutgers 2009 recruiting class was ranked as the best in the BIG EAST and the No. 21 class nationally according to ESPN’s Scouts, Inc.
Nine members of that recruiting class have played as true freshmen for the Scarlet Knights in 2009:
Steve Beauharnais, LB (Saddle Brook, N.J.)
Ka’Lial Glaud, LB (Atco, N.J.)
Duron Harmon, DB (Magnolia, Del.)
Mark Harrison, WR (Stratford, Conn.)
Quron Pratt, WR (Palmyra, N.J.)
Mohamed Sanu, WR (South Brunswick, N.J.)
Tom Savage, QB (Springfield, Pa.)
Tony Trahan, TE (Coppell, Texas)
De’Antwan Williams, RB (Woodbridge, Va.)
2009 First Time Starters
A total of 15 Scarlet Knights have made their debut in the starting lineup in 2009. Eight of the 15 are freshmen, including four true freshmen:
Player, Year, Position
Brandon Bing, Jr., CB
Marcus Cooper, R-Fr., WR
Mark Harrison, Fr., WR
D.C. Jefferson, R-Fr., TE
Eric LeGrand, So., DT
Antonio Lowery, Jr., WLB
Domenic Natale, 5th-Sr., QB
Charlie Noonan, R-Jr., DT
David Rowe, So., CB
Mohamed Sanu, Fr., WR
Tom Savage, Fr., QB
Desmond Stapleton, R-Fr., OL
Tony Trahan, Fr., TE
Scott Vallone, R-Fr., DT
Desmond Wynn, R-So., OG
From Defense to Offense
Rutgers has scored a defensive touchdown in three games in 2009.
With the first-quarter interception return for a touchdown by David Rowe vs. Texas Southern, Rutgers has four defensive touchdowns in seven games this season – the most since 2006, when RU posted four defensive touchdowns in 13 games.
The Scarlet Knights have six starters on defense who have scored touchdowns in their career. Senior CB Devin McCourty leads the way with two touchdowns.
Devin McCourty 2 INT TD returns
Ryan D’Imperio 1 INT TD return
George Johnson 1 Fumble TD return
Joe Lefeged 1 Fumble TD return
Antonio Lowery 1 INT return
David Rowe 1 INT TD return
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McCOURTY
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Finding His Home at DT - and on Special Teams
Sophomore defensive tackle Eric LeGrand has come into his own this season for the Scarlet Knights. After playing defensive end, defensive tackle and fullback as a true freshman in 2008, LeGrand has been one of the team’s top defensive linemen in 2009 with 21 tackles, including 4.5 TFLs.
A versatile athlete, he also leads the team with 10 tackles on kickoff coverage in 2009 for the Scarlet Knights.
The Complete Player
Devin McCourty is one of the nation’s premier cornerbacks and one of - if not the best - special team’s standouts nationally. McCourty is one of two players in the country to block a punt and return a kickoff for a touchdown in 2009.
He has blocked five career kicks and scored three touchdowns (two interception returns and one kickoff return).
At cornerback, he leads Rutgers with 47 tackles. For his career, he has 205 tackles, 22 pass breakups and six interceptions.
In the win over Connecticut, McCourty played a staggering 111 plays. McCourty was at cornerback for all 86 plays. He logged 25 plays on special teams, where he’s part of the punt coverage, punt return, kickoff coverage and kickoff return teams.
