EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the 23rd in a series of previews on West Virginia and Marshall football opponents.
Date with West Virginia: Saturday, Dec. 4, TBA (ESPN/ABC)
Site: Mountaineer Field (60,000, FieldTurf), Morgantown
Coach: Greg Schiano (10th year, 55-55)
Checking them out
Perhaps it is a byproduct of being situated in the New York media market, but doesn't it seem that Rutgers has pretty much failed to live up to its lofty expectations more often than not in recent years? True, the Scarlet Knights have made huge improvements from being a perennial doormat to a perennial contender, but since that magical 11-win season in 2006 Greg Schiano's teams have been very good (8-5, 8-5 and 9-4 with four straight bowl victories), but they're also a combined 11-9 in the Big East during that time (including two 3-4 years). Shoot, last year Rutgers was out of the Big East race by Labor Day's 47-15 pounding at the hands of Cincinnati.
Well, here we are again, another Rutgers team with promise. True, there were significant losses on both sides of the ball, but heralded quarterback Tom Savage and wide receiver/Wildcat QB Mohamed Sanu return for their sophomore seasons and running back Joe Martinek showed flashes with a near-1,000-yard season. The offensive line was awful at times, though, and three starters must be replaced there. That line included first-round NFL draft pick Anthony Davis and still was 111th in the country in sacks allowed.
The defense has a lot of potential. A group that ranked 18th in the country in total defense, 16th in points allowed, 15th in stopping the run, fourth in sacks and first in tackles for loss has potentially the best group of linemen in the Big East. Two linebackers must be replaced, but there is talent there waiting. The biggest loss will probably be NFL draft pick Devin McCourty.
All-conference candidates
Offense: WR Mohamed Sanu, QB Tom Savage, RB Joe Martinek
Defense: DE Jonathan Freeny, SS Joe Lefeged, DE Alex Silvestro
Notes
Two years ago, Rutgers was so bad at the start of the season that it took all fall to overcome a 1-5 start. Last season there was that embarrassing rout at the hands of Cincinnati. This season it looks like the Scarlet Knights have a chance at a much better start with Norfolk State, Florida International and Tulane as three of the first four opponents, along with home games against North Carolina and Connecticut and a game with Army at the new stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. But the end of the schedule includes trips to Pitt, South Florida, Cincinnati and WVU.
2010 Rutgers schedule
Date Opponent 2009
Article Preview
This article is available only to our premium digital content subscribers.
WVU opponent preview: Game 12, Rutgers
EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the 23rd in a series of previews on West Virginia and Marshall football opponents.
Date with West Virginia: Saturday, Dec. 4, TBA (ESPN/ABC)
Site: Mountaineer Field (60,000, FieldTurf), Morgantown
Coach: Greg Schiano (10th year, 55-55)
Checking them out
Perhaps it is a byproduct of being situated in the New York media market, but doesn't it seem that Rutgers has pretty much failed to live up to its lofty expectations more often than not in recent years? True, the Scarlet Knights have made huge improvements from being a perennial doormat to a perennial contender, but since that magical 11-win season in 2006 Greg Schiano's teams have been very good (8-5, 8-5 and 9-4 with four straight bowl victories), but they're also a combined 11-9 in the Big East during that time (including two 3-4 years). Shoot, last year Rutgers was out of the Big East race by Labor Day's 47-15 pounding at the hands of Cincinnati.
Well, here we are again, another Rutgers team with promise. True, there were significant losses on both sides of the ball, but heralded quarterback Tom Savage and wide receiver/Wildcat QB Mohamed Sanu return for their sophomore seasons and running back Joe Martinek showed flashes with a near-1,000-yard season. The offensive line was awful at times, though, and three starters must be replaced there. That line included first-round NFL draft pick Anthony Davis and still was 111th in the country in sacks allowed.
The defense has a lot of potential. A group that ranked 18th in the country in total defense, 16th in points allowed, 15th in stopping the run, fourth in sacks and first in tackles for loss has potentially the best group of linemen in the Big East. Two linebackers must be replaced, but there is talent there waiting. The biggest loss will probably be NFL draft pick Devin McCourty.
All-conference candidates
Offense: WR Mohamed Sanu, QB Tom Savage, RB Joe Martinek
Defense: DE Jonathan Freeny, SS Joe Lefeged, DE Alex Silvestro
Notes
Two years ago, Rutgers was so bad at the start of the season that it took all fall to overcome a 1-5 start. Last season there was that embarrassing rout at the hands of Cincinnati. This season it looks like the Scarlet Knights have a chance at a much better start with Norfolk State, Florida International and Tulane as three of the first four opponents, along with home games against North Carolina and Connecticut and a game with Army at the new stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. But the end of the schedule includes trips to Pitt, South Florida, Cincinnati and WVU.
Click here to sign up for a one month subscription.
1 Month Online + Print Delivery
$31.99
Click here to sign up for our Premium subscription package.
EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the 23rd in a series of previews on West Virginia and Marshall football opponents.
Date with West Virginia: Saturday, Dec. 4, TBA (ESPN/ABC)
Site: Mountaineer Field (60,000, FieldTurf), Morgantown
Coach: Greg Schiano (10th year, 55-55)
Checking them out
Perhaps it is a byproduct of being situated in the New York media market, but doesn't it seem that Rutgers has pretty much failed to live up to its lofty expectations more often than not in recent years? True, the Scarlet Knights have made huge improvements from being a perennial doormat to a perennial contender, but since that magical 11-win season in 2006 Greg Schiano's teams have been very good (8-5, 8-5 and 9-4 with four straight bowl victories), but they're also a combined 11-9 in the Big East during that time (including two 3-4 years). Shoot, last year Rutgers was out of the Big East race by Labor Day's 47-15 pounding at the hands of Cincinnati.
Well, here we are again, another Rutgers team with promise. True, there were significant losses on both sides of the ball, but heralded quarterback Tom Savage and wide receiver/Wildcat QB Mohamed Sanu return for their sophomore seasons and running back Joe Martinek showed flashes with a near-1,000-yard season. The offensive line was awful at times, though, and three starters must be replaced there. That line included first-round NFL draft pick Anthony Davis and still was 111th in the country in sacks allowed.
The defense has a lot of potential. A group that ranked 18th in the country in total defense, 16th in points allowed, 15th in stopping the run, fourth in sacks and first in tackles for loss has potentially the best group of linemen in the Big East. Two linebackers must be replaced, but there is talent there waiting. The biggest loss will probably be NFL draft pick Devin McCourty.
All-conference candidates
Offense: WR Mohamed Sanu, QB Tom Savage, RB Joe Martinek
Defense: DE Jonathan Freeny, SS Joe Lefeged, DE Alex Silvestro
Notes
Two years ago, Rutgers was so bad at the start of the season that it took all fall to overcome a 1-5 start. Last season there was that embarrassing rout at the hands of Cincinnati. This season it looks like the Scarlet Knights have a chance at a much better start with Norfolk State, Florida International and Tulane as three of the first four opponents, along with home games against North Carolina and Connecticut and a game with Army at the new stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. But the end of the schedule includes trips to Pitt, South Florida, Cincinnati and WVU.
2010 Rutgers schedule
Date Opponent 2009
Sept. 2 Norfolk State (Thu.) DNP
Sept. 11 at Florida International W 23-15
Sept. 25 North Carolina DNP
Oct. 2 Tulane DNP
Oct. 8 Connecticut* (Fri.) W 28-24
Oct. 16 vs. Army W 27-10
Oct. 23 at Pitt* L 17-24
Nov. 3 at South Florida* (Wed.) W 31-0
Nov. 13 Syracuse* L 13-31
Nov. 20 at Cincinnati* L 15-47
Nov. 26 Louisville* (Fri.) W 34-14
Dec. 4 at West Virginia* L 21-24
*Big East Conference games
2009 record: 9-4 overall, 3-4 Big East (Won 45-24 over Central Florida in St. Petersburg Bowl)
Dropped: Texas Southern (W 42-0), Maryland (W 34-13), Howard (W 45-7)
Article Preview
This article is available only to our premium digital content subscribers.
WVU opponent preview: Game 12, Rutgers
EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the 23rd in a series of previews on West Virginia and Marshall football opponents.
Date with West Virginia: Saturday, Dec. 4, TBA (ESPN/ABC)
Site: Mountaineer Field (60,000, FieldTurf), Morgantown
Coach: Greg Schiano (10th year, 55-55)
Checking them out
Perhaps it is a byproduct of being situated in the New York media market, but doesn't it seem that Rutgers has pretty much failed to live up to its lofty expectations more often than not in recent years? True, the Scarlet Knights have made huge improvements from being a perennial doormat to a perennial contender, but since that magical 11-win season in 2006 Greg Schiano's teams have been very good (8-5, 8-5 and 9-4 with four straight bowl victories), but they're also a combined 11-9 in the Big East during that time (including two 3-4 years). Shoot, last year Rutgers was out of the Big East race by Labor Day's 47-15 pounding at the hands of Cincinnati.
Well, here we are again, another Rutgers team with promise. True, there were significant losses on both sides of the ball, but heralded quarterback Tom Savage and wide receiver/Wildcat QB Mohamed Sanu return for their sophomore seasons and running back Joe Martinek showed flashes with a near-1,000-yard season. The offensive line was awful at times, though, and three starters must be replaced there. That line included first-round NFL draft pick Anthony Davis and still was 111th in the country in sacks allowed.
The defense has a lot of potential. A group that ranked 18th in the country in total defense, 16th in points allowed, 15th in stopping the run, fourth in sacks and first in tackles for loss has potentially the best group of linemen in the Big East. Two linebackers must be replaced, but there is talent there waiting. The biggest loss will probably be NFL draft pick Devin McCourty.
All-conference candidates
Offense: WR Mohamed Sanu, QB Tom Savage, RB Joe Martinek
Defense: DE Jonathan Freeny, SS Joe Lefeged, DE Alex Silvestro
Notes
Two years ago, Rutgers was so bad at the start of the season that it took all fall to overcome a 1-5 start. Last season there was that embarrassing rout at the hands of Cincinnati. This season it looks like the Scarlet Knights have a chance at a much better start with Norfolk State, Florida International and Tulane as three of the first four opponents, along with home games against North Carolina and Connecticut and a game with Army at the new stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. But the end of the schedule includes trips to Pitt, South Florida, Cincinnati and WVU.
