PISCATAWAY, NJ - Rutgers University head football coach Greg Schiano announced today that Union, NJ standout Pete Tverdov has signed an institutional letter to attend Rutgers and join the football team. He will be a member of the 2005 squad, which reports for preseason camp on August 7.

Tverdov was a three-year starter at Union High School under head coach Marc Crisofi, seeing time at middle linebacker and tight end during his junior and senior seasons. A two-time All-League and All-County selection, Tverdov was an All-Group 4 pick following his senior season in 2004, when he led Union County with 121 tackles, including 41 tackles-for-loss, and averaged better than 14 yards per catch.

Tverdov also wrestled for Union as a junior and senior and recently won the 2005 Strong Man competition, held at Bergen Catholic on July 23. He played one season at Union with Darnell Stapleton, who will join the Scarlet Knights as well.

'We are thrilled to have Pete join our program,' said head coach Greg Schiano. 'He is another outstanding New Jersey player and will be a great addition for us on defense heading into the season.'

The Rutgers football team opens its 2005 season on September 3 when it travels to the University of Illinois. The game is set for Noon and will be televised nationally on ESPN2. The Scarlet Knights begin their home schedule against Villanova on September 10, the first of six games at Rutgers Stadium.