rutgers scouting report

[smazza]

Rutgers Football to Host Annual Kickoff Celebration on August 13

July 31, 2006

PISCATAWAY, NJ - The Rutgers University football team will open the 2006 season by hosting its annual Kickoff Celebration on Sunday, August 13, 2006, 5:00-7:00 p.m., at the practice field opposite Rutgers Stadium.

The Kickoff Celebration starts at 5:00 p.m. and will feature the Rutgers Kids’ Zone and performances by the Rutgers Pep Band. All fans will receive a copy of the 2006 Rutgers Football poster. Head coach Greg Schiano and members of the Scarlet Knights will be available to meet fans and sign autographs at the Kickoff Celebration from 6:00-7:00 p.m.

The Rutgers football team opens its 2006 season on September 2 when it travels to the University of North Carolina, for a 3:30 p.m. kickoff in a game that be televised nationally by ABC. The Scarlet Knights open their home schedule against Illinois on September 9. Tickets are available at the Athletic Ticket Office at the Rutgers Athletic Center (Mon.-Fri., 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.). Tickets may also be obtained by calling 1-866-445-GORU (Mon.-Fri., 8:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.) or through the Rutgers’ official athletics website, www.scarletknights.com.

[smazza]

Higher expectations await Scarlet Knights

Home News Tribune Online 07/30/06

By KEITH SARGEANT

STAFF WRITER

ksargen@eastbrun.gannett.com

Rutgers University hasn't entered a season with expectations this high since stepping up to big-time football three decades ago.

And Greg Schiano knows it.

"Certainly, our expectations are heightened," the Scarlet Knights coach said at Big East media day two weeks ago. "I wouldn't be here if they weren't. That's exciting for me and it's something as a program you have to embrace.

"If you buy into the things people are saying about us, we have a chance to do something pretty special."

Judging by the plethora of college football preview magazines, big things are expected from a Rutgers team looking to build on its first winning season since 1992 and first bowl appearance in 27 years. Ranked as high as 30 nationally (by Lindy's), the Scarlet Knights are projected to finish in the top half of the Big East by the consensus of preseason publications.

"Two straight bowl appearances for Rutgers? Believe it," writes Lindy's.

And according to CBS Sportsline.com's preview, "The Scarlet Knights just might be scratching the surface under Schiano. ... Back-to-back bowl appearances are a distinct possibility."

Having served as an assistant at national powers Miami and Penn State, Schiano knows what it's like to head into a campaign with great promise. While he embraces it, he realizes it's something he'll have to temper once preseason camp begins when players report in a week from today.

"From the day we started this thing, we tried to preach was doing the things that you can control," said Schiano, who returns 16 starters from a 7-5 squad that lost a 45-40 thriller to Arizona State in the Insight Bowl last December. "That's something we set in the foundation of our program. When you start worrying about those outside distractions, things tend to get messed up. If you stay in the process, more often than not you'll end up on the plus side."

Most preseason publications are in agreement that Rutgers possesses one of the strongest offenses in the Big East. Led by running backs Brian Leonard and Ray Rice, a duo who rushed for 1,860 yards and 16 touchdowns last season, the Scarlet Knights have plenty of holdovers from an attack that totaled the most yards (4,765) in school history last fall.

"Few teams possess as potent a backfield as the Knights," writes Street & Smith's.

"Rutgers features All-Big East caliber players at fullback (Leonard), tailback (Rice), tight end (Clark Harris) and wide receiver (Shawn Tucker)," Lindy's notes.

Harris was recently named a Mackey Award candidate and, as CBS Sportline.com points out, is "one of the top 10 tight ends in the nation."

"If Mike Teel is ready to start living up to the hype he arrived with three years ago as the most highly touted quarterback Rutgers has ever recruited," Athlon Sports writes, "the Knights' offense could make a run at the school record of 4,765 yards set last year. There's that much talent for Teel to work with in his first full year as the starter."

Yet, that's also the rub. Teel, several publications note, was erratic when he split time at quarterback last season.

"Teel has the physical tools to excel at quarterback," Lindy's writes. "But after throwing 10 interceptions in 101 attempts last year, he has to improve on his decision making."

While Street & Smith's gives Rutgers' offense four stars on a five-star rating system, the magazine pans a defense with two stars.

"Defense is a more pressing concern for Rutgers, which gave up 190 points in its final four games last year," the publication writes.

Lindy's writes "the defense is shaky," and points out "the line is an area of concern." And Athlon's statement may be the most telling of all: "Rutgers' defense isn't ready to challenge West Virginia or Louisville in the Big East race; but overall, the Knights have the look of a bowl team once again."

That's the common theme in most of the preseason publications. No longer will Rutgers players be able to complain that no one believed in them.

For the first time ever, the consensus has Rutgers having a winning season and going bowling once again.

"If you're looking for a team on the rise, this is it," Blue Ribbon Yearbook writes of the Scarlet Knights. "Don't be surprised if the Knights are playing in another bowl this year  and next. Schiano and his staff have assembled a young, athletic team with plenty of options. If it comes together just right, Rutgers could win eight or nine."

[bulls96go]

happy to play them at home

[E.T.]

And hoping for similiar results  8-)

Go BULLS !!!

[smazza]

CAMP BEGINS

Sophomore quarterback Mike Teel took time out to speak to the media after reporting to the Hale Center for Rutgers football training camp Sunday afternoon.

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GROWING INTO A STAR

PISCATAWAY  Pete Tverdov has some advice for the incoming freshmen who reported to the Rutgers football team yesterday

[smazza]

Growing into a star

Home News Tribune Online 08/7/06

By KEITH SARGEANT

STAFF WRITER

ksargen@eastbrun.gannett.com

PISCATAWAY  Pete Tverdov has some advice for the incoming freshmen who reported to the Rutgers football team yesterday.

"Just go out and have some fun," the sophomore defensive end said. "Everybody will be trying to break you down because you're a freshman, but just roll with it, work hard and believe in yourself."

Tverdov is more qualified than most to speak about the transition freshmen need to make at the collegiate level. A year ago he did it rather seamlessly despite the fact he wasn't even a member of the team three weeks before preseason camp began.

Tverdov was set to go to a Virginia prep school when Rutgers coach Greg Schiano offered him a scholarship last summer. The call came as a surprise to Tverdov considering he hadn't received much interest to play at the Division I-A level to that point.

"I guess you could say I didn't fit the mold of a college football player on signing day last year," said Tverdov, a 6-foot-4 defensive lineman who played at 215 pounds at Union High School. "But then Coach Schiano saw me in July and I had added about 25 pounds to my frame. I guess he liked what he saw and when the offer came I committed."

Schiano recalls watching Tverdov star for Union in the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group IV championship game against Piscataway two years ago and thinking he had potential.

"He had a great motor and great instincts," Schiano said, before adding, "He was a skinny rail."

Schiano also remembers a conversation he had with his coaching staff weeks before training camp was to begin.

"I talked to the guys about it and they said, "Coach, I just don't think he'll ever get big enough. What (position) does he play for us?' " Schiano recalled. "But then I saw him again when I was speaking at one of those breakfasts, I said, "I think he might get big enough.' "

"It's a good story," Schiano added. "It was strange because it was nobody (recruiting him) and he was going to prep school, and then all of a sudden it was Virginia and Rutgers recruiting him at the end. It got pretty hairy."

Tverdov said he chose Rutgers because he saw an opportunity to play right away. He did just that, playing nine games as a true freshman and recording nine tackles.

The fact that Tverdov basically went unrecruited out of high school served as motivation as much as anything else.

"I guess it's remarkable because I kept working hard toward my goals," Tverdov said. "I wasn't coming here with a big head, but I came here ready to play. I knew I could play at this level. I just didn't understand why nobody was offering me."

Schiano did, and now the coach expects the last player he signed in 2006 to be in the mix on the defensive line.

"I expect him to (play)," Schiano said. "I don't know where he'll end up. He's probably close to 250 now and he's really worked himself into pretty good shape. I think it's going to be where he fits the need best."

And that's all Tverdov, who compiles a list of short- and long-term goals, wants to hear.

"I'd like to be heavily in the d-line rotation," he said. "Hopefully get some sacks and contribute as much as possible."

[outrunner]

[smazza]

dont be so selfish

plenty of other members would like information of usf's big east foe

[outrunner]

yes, information about their football team's playing ability, not about their players adjusting to the college level.