2009 Preview Stories, Raphielle Johnson, Rutgers News, Uncategorized

2009 BIG EAST FOOTBALL PREVIEW: RUTGERS

BCS-bound? The Scarlet Knights have a shot

By Raphielle Johnson

The Scarlet Knights enter 2009 as one of the five teams thought to have an even chance at winning the Big East title. Every team has its definitive strengths that can go a long way towards earning a BCS berth, but each also has a significant weakness that if not addressed could cost them a title. For Rutgers the questions come at quarterback and wide receiver. Greg Schiano’s team has a schedule that lends itself to self-discovery after the season opener with Cincinnati; they’ll likely be favored in each of the following four games. The defense will be solid, and the same is expected of the offensive line and running backs. Here’s the unit-by-unit preview of the 2009 Rutgers Scarlet Knights.

Offense

What’s the correct answer to the quarterback quandary: Domenic Natale or Tom Savage? Both? With just over a week to go before they open the season the Rutgers coaching staff still hasn’t decided which signal-caller will take the first snap. Natale’s the familiar face, having been a backup to Mike Teel last season. Domenic transferred back to his state university in 2006 following two years at Michigan State, and his experience will come via familiarity with the system of offensive co-coordinators Kyle Flood and Kirk Ciarrocca.

Savage is the highly-touted freshman who’s shot up the depth chart despite not taking part in spring drills. Ranked as one of the nation’s best pro-style quarterbacks by many of the recruiting services, Savage has the body (6-5, 225) and arm to hold the starting job for the next four years. Rest assured the freshman will play; rarely does a coaching staff not redshirt a true freshman if he isn’t going to get every opportunity to play. Fifth-year senior Jabu Lovelace will once again be in the role of “change of pace” quarterback, so look for him to run plays out of Rutgers’ “wildcat” formation.

The running backs look solid heading into 2009; the top four rushers from 2008 all return. Kordell Young (554 yards, 5 rushing TDs in 2008) may be the most talent of the quartet but he’s had injury issues throughout his career. Joe Martinek (404 yards, 4 rushing TDs) and Jourdan Brooks (516 yards, 6 rushing TDs) will also figure into the rotation, and they’ll both add a little more power to counteract Young’s speed. Blocking for them will be the dependable senior Jack Corcoran, who is also a solid option in the passing game.

Wide receiver will also undergo an overhaul with the losses of three of their top four pass catchers: Kenny Britt, Tiquan Underwood and tight end Kevin Brock. Tim Brown (27 receptions, 565 yards and 6 TDs) is the team’s leading returning receiver and the logical candidate to become the number one target for Natale and/or Savage. Mason Robinson, who was a running back in 2008, makes the move over to wide receiver and will look to separate himself from a number of options. Freshmen Mohamed Sanu and Marcus Cooper (redshirt) also stand to earn playing time, as does senior Julian Hayes. The tight end position will likely be manned by Shamar Graves or Fabian Ruiz, with the move of DC Jefferson from quarterback to tight end providing depth to a previously shallow position in regards to numbers.

The offensive line will be the strength of the Rutgers offense, and it’s a unit that could be the best in the Big East. Junior Anthony Davis anchors the unit that returns all five starters at left tackle, and he looked far more motivated in fall camp after residing in Coach Schiano’s dog house due to conditioning issues. Ryan Blaszczyk will start a third consecutive season at center while Chris Ruch and Kevin Haslam are the likely starters at the guard spots. Art Forst, who started eight games at right guard in 2008, kicks out to right tackle, flipping positions with Haslam. The line had depth and flexibility; if there’s also chemistry they’ll have a very successful season.

Defense

The Scarlet Knights return two starters on the defensive line in ends George Johnson and Alex Silvestro. While Johnson was an end last season Silvestro makes the move out from defensive tackle, where he started thirteen games in 2008. The departed Jamal Westerman led Rutgers with six sacks and the team had twenty-nine, so they’ll need the returning players to step up their production. Jonathan Freeny, who saw time in every game last season, will also be in the running for playing time as will senior Sorie Bayoh. At tackle Blair Bines and Eric LeGrand, both converted linebackers, saw time last season. Charlie Noonan and Scott Vallone are also in the running, but look for Bines to be one of the two starters inside.

The linebacking corps should be strong this season, led by senior middle linebacker Ryan D’Imperio. D’Imperio was second on the team in 2008 in tackles (93), tackles for loss (12.5) and sacks (5.0). He’ll be leaned upon heavily due to the graduation of leading tackler Kevin Malast. Classmate Damaso Muñoz played well enough in spring drills to sew up the strongside position and sophomore Manny Abreu will be a player to watch on the weakside. Abreu had to beat out some solid competition in winning the job, so if he or any other starter goes down or doesn’t perform Antonio Lowery and Jim Dumont can earn repetitions. Marvin Booker and Edmond Laryea will also be in the running for playing time in 2009.

The secondary will have to deal with the losses of Courtney Greene and Jason McCourty they will have experience. Senior Devin McCourty will once again start at one cornerback position with Brandon Bing and Brandon Jones fighting it out to start on the opposite side. Safeties Joe Lefeged and Zaire Kitchen are two players you do not want to get hit by. Kitchen forced three fumbles in 2008 while Lefeged was Rutgers’ fourth-leading tackler. Patrick Kivlehan, David Rowe and Khaseem Greene will add depth to the secondary while also having the opportunity to contribute on special teams.

Special Teams

Rutgers should perform quite well in this department, and the kicking game improved as the season progressed. Despite a rough outing in the season opener San San Te finished 2008 12-of-17 on field goals and 45-of-48 on extra points. He’ll be backed up by redshirt freshman Tyler Thomas, who likely won’t see action unless Te happens to get injured or be ineffective. The punting duties will once again be handled by redshirt junior Teddy Dellaganna, who averaged forty-one yards per punt last season. Mason Robinson and Tim Brown will likely handle the kick return duties while Robinson and Devin McCourty are likely candidates to return punts.

Schedule/Prediction

Rutgers has taken its fair share of criticism for their 2009 football schedule, with cynics noting how soft the non-conference slate is. With two FCS opponents it could definitely use some “meat on its bones”, but to harp on its softness is to ignore this fact: that very same schedule is what gives Greg Schiano’s team its best shot since 2006 at a BCS berth. Opening a season with a conference game (Cincinnati on Labor Day) is never preferred, but Rutgers hosts all four of the other Big East title contenders.

Their toughest non-conference game is at Maryland on September 26th, and although the Terrapins took care of business at Rutgers last season the 2009 version isn’t expected to be as good as they were last season. Visits from Howard, Florida International and Texas Southern should be handled, as should a trip to Army in October. If the Scarlet Knights can get through the defending Big East champion Bearcats in the opener they should be 5-0 when Pitt visits on October 16th. A win there and all of a sudden a run similar to 2006’s 8-0 start is well within the realm of possibility.

A conservative number of wins would be eight, provided either Natale or Savage provides a solid answer at quarterback. The lack of experience at quarterback and wide receiver (guys have played, but to lose playmakers like Kenny Britt and Tiquan Underwood can’t be overlooked) lent itself to the media pegging the Scarlet Knights in the fifth position in the preseason media poll. Rutgers looks solid in just about every other position and the kicking game should be improved in 2009. A Big East championship is well within the realm of possibility in 2009.

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