09/01/10 - (QB) - Tom Savage, So, 6-5, 230 Amazingly enough, Rutgers has what passes for an experienced quarterback in the Big East. Tom Savage may be just a true sophomore, but after starting 2009 as a true freshman he has the most career starts of any signal-caller in the conference. Starting this week against Norfolk State, we'll see what he can do with the training wheels off. The offense was very vanilla a year ago, since Savage was learning the playbook as he was running the team. It also needed to be simplified to keep Savage healthy, since he held onto the ball as long as humanly possible and got banged up by some big hits as a result. Now he's a year older and wiser, with what looks like a better backfield. The questions come at wideout and offensive line. The wideouts sometimes seem like an embarrassment of riches as far as their talent is concerned, but all besides Mohamed Sanu are inexperienced and some will need to step up to keep everyone from keying on Sanu. And the offensive line is revamped from a year ago, and it remains to be seen how fast it gels. But don't be surprised if the star of the show in the early weeks of the season is the defense. It was a bastion of aggressiveness a year ago, finishing second in the country in turnover margin and fourth in sacks, and even with the losses to graduation it looks to be one of the best units in the country. Norfolk State marks the first test in what the Rutgers faithful hope is the year the Scarlet Knights finally emerge to make a major bowl game. That's a tall order, but both sides of the ball should be able to be confident of their goals after the opener against what will likely be a very overmatched lower-division squad.
09/01/10 - (DT) - Scott Vallone, rSo, 6-3, 270 KEYS TO THE GAME: Take the game seriously. Rutgers is too talented to lose to Norfolk State if it brings its A-game, and the Scarlet Knights have tended to dominate their traditional nonconference cupcake. The coaching staff is reminding everyone that this is a huge game for the visitors, and that the Scarlet Knights will have to be ready to match their intensity in order to avoid what would be a disheartening struggle. PLAYERS TO WATCH: DT Scott Vallone - Only a redshirt sophomore, Vallone already has the attention of the Big East. He was a preseason selection to the All-Big East first team, and will look to build on his explosive freshman season a year ago against a Norfolk State team that shouldn't be able to match up with him.
09/01/10 - (WR) - Mark Harrison, So, 6-3, 228 PLAYERS TO WATCH: WR Mark Harrison suffered a head injury in the team's second scrimmage, but he's back at practice and should be in the starting lineup for the season opener. He's looked very good in the preseason, and gets the first crack at showing he can succeed alongside Mohamed Sanu as a playmaker for quarterback Tom Savage.
09/01/10 - (QB) - Chas Dodd, Fr, 6-0, 198 QB Chas Dodd was listed as the backup to starter Tom Savage. Watch to see whether he plays this week -- the coaching staff was debating whether or not to redshirt him, but the lack of depth at the position could result in Dodd seeing the field in his first collegiate game.
09/01/10 - (RB) - Kordell Young, rSr, 5-09, 190 RB Kordell Young may miss the Norfolk State game for personal reasons. The senior is expected to spend the season playing mostly on third downs. Mason Robinson and Joe Martinek would fill that role in his absence.
09/01/10 - (K) - San San Te, rJr, 5-09, 180 PLAYERS TO WATCH: K San San Te - The redshirt junior struggled mightily early in camp, but has been performing better in practice lately. If he misses his first attempt or two against Norfolk State, however, that could indicate a nerve-wracking year for the special teams.
09/01/10 - (QB) - Tom Savage, So, 6-5, 230 THIS WEEK'S GAME: Norfolk State at Rutgers, Sept. 2 -- This shouldn't be a dramatic home opener, but it gives the team a chance to get its feet wet before the schedule gets tougher. The big test will be whether Tom Savage takes a hit at quarterback, and how he responds if he does. His health will be a big key to whatever success the team has this season.
09/01/10 - (OG) - Art Forst, Jr, 6-8, 310 QUOTE TO NOTE: "I think you always have to me more worried about yourself than the opponent. You have to be worried about playing with good technique. You have to be worried about being focused and the fundamentals when you get in the game plan, because a lot of times you're so enthralled at what the opponent you tend to forget to work on the simple things. So that's our approach for this game -- just as it should be for all games." -- Rutgers offensive lineman Art Forst to the Newark Star-Ledger.
09/01/10 - (CB) - Brandon Bing, Sr, 5-11, 180 SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: The defense should be able to control the line of scrimmage, and will be looking to pad its turnover margin stats. Watch the secondary, which is relatively inexperienced and has a number of key figures in expanded roles this season.
09/01/10 - (RB) - Joe Martinek, rJr, 6-0, 215 SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: Tom Savage is back at the helm for his sophomore season, and the passing game looked impressive in practice. The backfield is worth noting as well, with Jordan Thomas emerging as a fleet counterweight to Joe Martinek's driving running style.
09/01/10 - (RB) - Jordan Thomas, Fr, 6-0, 187 The season opener puts a pair of stats at odds with one another. Schiano hasn't been great in season openers, with a 5-4 record in his nine seasons. However, Rutgers has outscored its last five lower-division opponents by an aggregate 250-14. Rutgers starts the season with Joe Martinek and Jordan Thomas expected to share the carries in the backfield. Thomas, a true freshman, brings a burst of speed that compliments Martinek's power, and the team may break away from its traditional one-back sets to get both onto the field at the same time.
09/01/10 - (WR) - Jeremy Deering, Fr, 6-2, 198 Coach Greg Schiano has never been shy about playing true freshman if they are ready to contribute, and that was apparent in the depth chart for the season opener. Four true freshmen made the two-deep, with wide receiver Jeremy Deering and running back Jordan Thomas the most likely to see action against Norfolk State.
08/26/10 - (WR) - Mohamed Sanu, So, 6-2, 215 2010 PAUL HORNUNG AWARD WATCH LIST: Mohamed Sanu - Rutgers, has been named one of 48 players to the the inaugural Paul Hornung Award that will be given annually to the most versatile player in major college football. Starter at WR as freshman in 2009, also played Wildcat QB, handled punt and KO returns; 2010 pre-season All Big East as WR and punter returner; voted "Toughest Man to Bring Down" in conference...51 rec. - 639 yds. - 3 TD...62 rushes - 346 yards - 5 TD...17 punt returns - 66 yds. - 0 TD...2 kick returns - 12 yds. - 0 TD. - Louisville Sports Commission
08/24/10 - (QB) - Tom Savage, So, 6-5, 230 Rutgers quarterback Tom Savage has gone from homesick freshman to confident sophomore. In between, he won more games (eight) than any freshman quarterback in Rutgers history and earned the Scarlet Knights' offensive most valuable player award. After one season, Savage has become the key to an inexperienced offense as the Scarlet Knights pursue a sixth straight bowl berth. He said relaxing off the field has helped him on it. "I'm not really too worried about the homesick thing now," he said. "Last year I was still a kid out there. You're trying to get your feet settled in college. Now I understand all that stuff, it really helps out a lot." Savage completed 52.3 percent of his passes for 2,211 yards and 14 touchdowns with seven interceptions. His touchdown-to-interception ratio was tops among freshman in the nation. "He's critical to us," coach Greg Schiano said. "He's a leader, he's a playmaker and he's a good person to have on your team. When you have all of those things, that's pretty important." It's equally important for Savage to keep himself grounded. He's made numerous preseason All-Big East teams and is on the Maxwell Award watch list. "Tom's a levelheaded guy," Schiano said. "I think that's one of his strengths when he plays the quarterback position. He never gets too high or never gets too low. Hopefully he can take that into his off-the-field situation now. As he does better and better that exposure will only grow more and more." - AP Sports
08/18/10 - (QB) - Tom Savage, So, 6-5, 230 MOST IMPORTANT PLAYER: QB Tom Savage started as a freshman through most of 2009, except for the games where he was sidelined because of injury. That's an issue, however, since Savage holds onto the ball until the last possible second and takes a lot of hits. He suffered a concussion last September, and if that becomes an issue again as a sophomore it will fall to the untested Steve Shimko to carry the load.
08/18/10 - (WR) - Mohamed Sanu, So, 6-2, 215 BREAKOUT STAR: WR Mohamad Sanu - It's a bit of cheating to put Sanu here, as he really broke out in the second half of his freshman season, with 693 yards receiving and six touchdowns. Sanu was a revelation a year ago, and is arguably the most dangerous player returning in the Big East. He's the Scarlet Knight that other defensive coordinators have nightmares thinking about, and could be poised for an All-Big East season this fall. QUOTE TO NOTE: "There's a lot of room to grow. A lot of room to grow. You could never reach the point where you settle for what you've reached. You've got to keep pushing for more. So I think there's a lot of room for me to grow. I just now have to keep working to reach that." - Rutgers wide receiver Mohamad Sanu, in the Newark Star Ledger, on his potential.
08/18/10 - (RB) - Kordell Young, rSr, 5-09, 190 RB Kordell Young is back, but the senior is still suffering from knee issues that have cut short a promising career. He was unable to practice in the spring, and it remains to be seen how much he can contribute once play begins in September.
08/18/10 - (WR) - Mark Harrison, So, 6-3, 228 WR Mark Harrison is a player to watch early in the season. The sophomore emerged from a crowded field in the spring to earn a starting spot, and the coaching staff is excited about what he can do alongside Mohamed Sanu.
08/18/10 - (CB) - Logan Ryan, rFr, 6-0, 185 NEWCOMER TO WATCH: CB Logan Ryan, a redshirt freshman, faces a position battle with senior Brandon Bing at cornerback. Though Bing will open as the starter, Ryan looked impressive over the summer and should earn playing time. If so, he could lock himself into the secondary for years to come.
08/18/10 - (OG) - Art Forst, Jr, 6-8, 310 AREAS OF CONCERN: The offensive line is untested, with three first-time starters, one regular in a new position, and a fifth member who's spent his Rutgers career in and out of the trainer's room. Considering Tom Savage has had problems staying away from defensive pressure anyway, that's a unit that can't afford mistakes. It's also looking for someone behind Mohamed Sanu to emerge in the passing game, and for Joe Martinek or someone else to carry the ground attack.
08/18/10 - (QB) - Tom Savage, So, 6-5, 230 KEYS TO SUCCESS: The running game and the secondary, plus the health of quarterback Tom Savage. Greg Schiano is at his best when the offense pounds out chunks of yardage on the ground and the defense is putting pressure on the quarterback, and that can't happen without strength and depth at both positions. Both areas have a lot to prove before the regular season starts. Savage is a true sophomore with 11 career starts ... and also, the most experienced signal-caller in the Big East. Every other team is going with a quarterback who will open the season as the starter for the first time, though several saw action last year because of injuries.
08/16/10 - (TE) - D.C. Jefferson, rSo, 6-6, 254 2010 JOHN MACKEY AWARD PRESEASON WATCH LIST: DC Jefferson SO Rutgers, has been selected to the 2010 Preseason Watch List for the John Mackey Award. Given annually to the best collegiate tight end, the award recipient is selected by vote of the John Mackey Award Selection Committee and the 2010 John Mackey winner will be announced on December 9, 2010. - The Nassau County Sports Commission
08/12/10 - (QB) - Tom Savage, So, 6-5, 230 2010 MAXWELL AWARD WATCH LIST: Tom Savage, Rutgers, QB, So., has been selected to the watch list for the 74th annual Maxwell Award, presented to the outstanding collegiate football player in America since 1937 and is named in honor of sportswriter Robert W. "Tiny" Maxwell. - Maxwell Football Club
08/12/10 - (DE) - Jonathan Freeny, Sr, 6-3, 242 2010 TED HENDRICKS DEFENSIVE END OF THE YEAR AWARD WATCH LIST: Jonathan Freeny, Rutgers, has been named to the preseason Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year Award watch list for the 2010 college football season, presented at the conclusion of the football season to the best collegiate defensive end in the country. - Ted Hendricks Award
08/12/10 - (WR) - Tim Wright, rSo, 6-4, 215 It didn't look good - and it wasn't. Wide receiver Tim Wright, who was helped off the field on Tuesday and carted to the locker room after injuring his right knee during a seemingly mild collision with cornerback Logan Ryan on a pass across the middle, will have to undergo surgery and is out for the season, coach Greg Schiano said today following practice. The injury is a huge blow to the offense and to Wright, who was named the team's most improved player during spring practice and was the expected starter opposite Mohamed Sanu. "Not good news, Timmy is going to miss the season,'' said Schiano, who refused to elaborate on the exact extent of the injury. "He's going to need surgery on it. He'll be fine. It's going to take a while. Hopefully, we'll get him back in the spring. - Dave Hutchinson, The Star Ledger
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