Rutgers 2007 Preview

Greg Schiano could have spent the offseason trying to reel in the expectations for Rutgers football. Instead, he did the opposite. Perhaps emboldened by a contract upgrade and extension through 2016 that will pay him $1.7 million annually and a No. 12 ranking in the final polls last season, the Knights’ head coach is actually embracing the BCS buzz surrounding his program.

“We have enough talent,” he says. “It’s going to be chemistry. It’s going to be work ethic. It’s going to be leadership. Hopefully, the legacy of leadership has been passed down through the program. Now it’s the next group’s turn.”

It helps that Heisman hopeful Ray Rice, who rushed for 1,794 yards and 20 touchdowns last year, is among the seven returning offensive starters from an 11–2 team.

It also helps that Rutgers will have a record eight home games this season — including the first five and seven of the first eight.

After playing for the Big East title — and a BCS berth — in the final game of the regular season last year (and losing at West Virginia in triple overtime), the Knights are looking to take the next step. On paper, this might be the most talented team in school history.

Quarterbacks
Mike Teel didn’t have a banner year statistically (2,135 yards with 12 TD passes and 13 interceptions), but there were some mitigating circumstances. One was the youth at wide receiver; Rutgers closed the season with two true freshmen in the starting lineup. The other was the offense’s reliance on the run game. But the junior did end the season with a flourish, throwing for 278 yards in the final regular-season game and 268 in the Texas Bowl — the two best yardage efforts of his career. Teel is entrenched as the starter. Michigan State transfer Domenic Natale was in line for the No. 2 spot but was forced to undergo surgery on his elbow late in the spring. He will be sidelined for the 2007 season, leaving the backup role to either Jabu Lovelace or redshirt freshman Chris Paul-Etienne.

Running Backs
Rutgers launched the first full Heisman campaign in school history at the start of the 2006 season — for senior fullback Brian Leonard. The school quickly switched its focus to Rice and his record-setting season. Rice also had a streak of seven straight games of 100 yards or more, tying the school record, and capped his season by earning MVP honors in the Texas Bowl. Explosive sophomore Kordell Young proved to be a nice change of pace spelling Rice and will probably chip away at Rice’s carries (335 last year). Jack Corcoran, who showed promise as a true freshman last year, will take over at fullback for Leonard, one of the most popular (and productive) players in school history. He will be pushed by 255-pound true freshman Jourdan Brooks. But there won’t be many carries left after Rice and Young get theirs.

Receivers
After being ravaged by injuries at wide receiver last year, Rutgers will reap the benefits this fall from having played so many youngsters. Kenny Britt and Tim Brown hinted at future stardom as true freshmen with their play during the second half of the season. Britt, tall, rangy and with big-play ability, didn’t start until midseason and then quickly emerged as one of the Big East’s best. The mite-sized Brown averaged 25.2 yards per catch and scored three touchdowns after filling in for Tiquan Underwood, who broke a bone in his leg in the regular-season finale. Underwood is back, as are Marcus Daniels and Keith Taylor, both of whom took last year off as medical redshirts. Backups Dennis Campbell, a five-game starter last year, and speedster James Townsend also return. The wide receiver depth may be needed if Rutgers can’t find a tight end to replace three-time All-Big East performer Clark Harris. Former walk-on Kevin Brock, who has yet to catch a pass, is the leading candidate to do so. Craig McGovern, a transfer from Michigan State, and fifth-year senior Chris Rudanovic, mostly a blocker, also have a chance to play.

2007 Schedule
A. 30	Buffalo	W
S. 7	Navy	W
S. 15	Norfolk State	W
S. 29	Maryland	W
O. 6	Cincinnati	W
O. 13	at Syracuse	W
O. 18	South Florida	W
O. 27	West Virginia	*
N. 3	at Connecticut	W
N. 9	at Army	W
N. 17	Pittsburgh	W
N. 29	at Louisville	*
Games in bold represent swing games. W or L indicates a projected win or loss.

Offensive Linemen
What might have been the best offensive line in school history returns three-fifths intact — and with an All-Big East tackle anchoring each side. Right tackle Jeremy Zuttah, a former guard, has started 27 games in his three years at RU, while left tackle Pedro Sosa returns for a third straight season as the starter. Mike Fladell is back at left guard as well. But there’s uncertainty at center and right guard. The coaching staff hopes Parade All-American Anthony Davis, who spurned Ohio State for Rutgers, can fill the void at guard as a true freshman before eventually sliding over to tackle in 2008. Davis may have to shed some weight from his 6'6", 350-pound frame to have an immediate impact, however. Ryan Blaszczyk, unused thus far in his career, is the leading candidate at center. If Blaszczyk isn’t the answer, Schiano may try the versatile Zuttah. And if Davis makes a seamless transition to college, this unit could pave the way for a 2,000-yard season by Rice. The line allowed the fewest sacks in the nation last year — eight in 298 pass attempts.

Defensive Linemen
Tackle Eric Foster, the first Rutgers defensive player ever to earn first-team All-America honors, will captain the unit for the second straight season. Finding someone to complement him, as Ramel Meekins did last year, is one of the major concerns for a unit that finished No. 4 nationally in total defense. The ends are set with Jamaal Westerman and rising sophomore star George Johnson, a backup last year. Westerman tied for the team lead in sacks with eight (the Knights had 41 overall); Johnson appears to have the makeup and mindset to be a disruptive force as a starter. Rutgers proved last year that size was less of an issue than many expected along the defensive front, but developing depth is a concern. True freshmen Wayne Thomas, Alex Silvestro, Justin Francis and Matthew Hardison will have a chance to be in the mix immediately.

Linebackers
The task of replacing four-year starter Devraun Thompson in the middle and three-year starter Quintero Frierson will initially fall to Chris Quaye and Kevin Malast, respectively. Brandon Renkart, impressive in his first year as the strong-side starter, is the only returnee on the unit with significant playing time. Sophomores Blair Bines and Ryan D’Imperio, both big, physical linebackers, will push Quaye and Malast for time. They made their mark on special teams a year ago. Schiano will also look to a couple of true freshmen as possible answers — Manny Abreu and Antonio Lowery. Abreu, a 6'3", 220-pounder with speed and athleticism, was the top-rated linebacker in New Jersey last year. Lowery enrolled in January so he could participate in spring ball.

Defensive Backs
Try to find a better safety tandem in the Big East — or anywhere in college football — than Ron Girault and Courtney Greene. Girault, entering his fourth year as a starter, is constantly around the ball. Greene, a junior who will start for the third straight season, is arguably the team’s biggest hitter. They combined for seven interceptions and were both second-team All-Big East selections. Rising star Jason McCourty returns as a starter at one of the corners and will work opposite twin brother Devin, a reserve last year who has been elevated to a starting role. After two years of off-field problems, Anthony Miller appears poised to make an impact as well.

Specialists
Jeremy Ito, who holds the school record for field goals made (57), enters his senior year as one of the nation’s best. He was solid in his first season handling kickoffs as well, producing 29 touchbacks from 77 kicks. Schiano went to the junior college ranks to find a punter to replace four-year starter Joe Radigan, making Teddy Dellaganna a late addition to the recruiting class. Brown, Townsend and Campbell will share the returns.

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