<p align="center"><span class="headlinemediumblack">Norfolk State (1-0) at 13/13 Rutgers (2-0, 0-0 BIG EAST)</span> Date: September 15, 2007 Kickoff Time: 3:30 p.m. Site: Piscataway, N.J. Stadium: Rutgers Stadium (42,000) Rankings: Rutgers (No. 13 Associated Press; No. 13, USA Today/Coaches) Norfolk State (Not Ranked) </p> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="120" class="medgraybgd" align="center"> <tbody><tr> <td class="mini" width="116"> GAME NOTES</td> </tr> </tbody></table> Television:MSG - ESPN Regional (John Rooke, Play-by-Play; John Gregory, Color) Radio: The Rutgers Radio Network can be heard on WOR (AM-710), WCTC (AM-1450) and WENJ (AM-1450) with Chris Carlin (Play-by-Play), former Rutgers TE Tim Pernetti (Color) and Anthony Fuccilli (Sideline) on the call. Rutgers’ student station, WRSU (FM-88.7), will also broadcast the game. The game can also be heard on the Internet at www.scarletknights.com, the official athletics website of Rutgers University. </p> <hr size="1" noshade="noshade" /> Rutgers welcomes Norfolk State to Piscataway for Homecoming 2007 on Saturday, Sept. 15 at Rutgers Stadium. The 13th-ranked Scarlet Knights are 2-0 to open the season after impressive victories over Buffalo (38-3) and Navy (41-24) last Friday night on ESPN. The Spartans (1-0) began the 2007 season with a 33-7 win over Virginia State Sept. 1.</p> The Rutgers-Norfolk State game will be televised by MSG with kickoff scheduled for 3:30 p.m.</p> MSG televised Rutgers’ first game of the season vs. Buffalo, which drew a rating of 0.71 in New York. It marked the highest-rated BIG EAST college football game on MSG in at least five years.</p> RU’s New Rushing King Junior Heisman Trophy candidate Ray Rice set a new Rutgers career rushing record on his second carry vs. Navy, rushing for 19 yards to set the record. He finished the game with 175 yards on 37 carries to bring his career total to 3,273 yards on 592 carries. Rice surpassed Terrell Willis’ mark of 3,114 yards set during the 1993-1995 seasons. </p> TV Time For the 26th consecutive game, Rutgers will appear on television this week vs. Norfolk State. The Scarlet Knights have appeared on television in 37 of their last 38 games, including 13 national television appearances last season.</p> Homecoming Streak The Scarlet Knights are in search of their fourth consecutive victory on Homecoming. All-time, Rutgers is 48-25-1 on Homecoming. Under head coach Greg Schiano, Rutgers is 5-1 on Homecoming. </p> Schiano’s Homecoming Games at RU Date Opponent Result 9/16/06 Ohio W, 24-7 10/29/05 Navy W, 31-21 10/16/04 Temple W, 16-6 10/18/03 Pittsburgh L, 42-32 9/14/02 Army W, 44-0 10/20/01 Navy W, 23-17 </p> Poll Position Rutgers moved up three spots in the USA Today/Coaches Top 25 to No. 13 this week. In the Associated Press Top 25, the Scarlet Knights advanced two spots to No. 13. Dating back to last season, Rutgers has been ranked in 15 consecutive polls, the longest stretch in school history.</p> Offensive Fireworks Continue For the fifth straight game, Rutgers scored 30 or more points last week in the 41-24 win over Navy. It marks the longest streak of consecutive 30-point games for Rutgers since 1975.</p> Over the five-game streak, Rutgers is averaging 466.6 yards per game and 38.6 points per contest. All-time, RU is 18-9 under Schiano when scoring 30 or more points. </p> Active Home Winning Streak Leaders Rutgers has won nine straight games at home, which is the sixth-longest active streak in the NCAA. The Scarlet Knights have six games remaining at home this season, with all of the games already sold-out. </p> NCAA Longest Home Wining Streaks Team Home Streak 1. USC 34 2. Louisville 20 3. Florida 17 4. LSU 14 5. Boston College 13 6. Rutgers 9 </p> Nine Straight The Scarlet Knights have won nine straight home games (school-record at the “new” Rutgers Stadium), with their last loss coming at home on November 5, 2005 vs. USF.</p> During the nine-game winning streak, Rutgers has averaged 36.2 points per game, including three straight games of 30 points or more. On defense, Rutgers has yielded just 10.5 points per game during the streak.</p> The nine-game home winning streak is the longest for the Scarlet Knights on-campus since a 20-game streak from Nov. 16, 1974-Nov. 25, 1978. Rutgers won 20 straight games at the “Old Rutgers Stadium” during that time span. The overall winning streak during that time period was 24 games, including four wins during the streak that took place at Giants Stadium. </p> Rutgers 500 Rutgers posted the second-best total offense yardage game of the Greg Schiano era with 563 yards of total offense in the 2007 season-opener vs. Buffalo. The Scarlet Knights collected 235 yards on the ground and 328 yards through the air vs. the Bulls. </p> Top Total Offense Games of the Schiano Era Date Opponent Total Offense 11/26/05 Cincinnati 574 8/30/07 Buffalo 563 10/20/01 Navy 533 12/27/05 vs. Arizona State 532 9/3/05 at Illinois 517 10/18/03 Pittsburgh 516 10/22/05 at Connecticut 508 </p> <table border="0" width="75" class="imagepad" align="right"> <tbody><tr> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>UNDERWOOD</td> </tr> </tbody></table> Tiquan Terrific Junior WR Tiquan Underwood had one of the best receiving days in BIG EAST history August 30 vs. Buffalo. The Lawrenceville, N.J., set a new school single-game record with 248 receiving yards. He surpassed Jack Emmer's 13-catch, 237-yard performance on Nov. 16, 1966 at Holy Cross. </p> He leads the BIG EAST in receiving yards and receptions per game and ranks second nationally in receiving yards per game with 176.</p> After finishing the 2006 season with 23 receptions for 290 yards and four touchdowns, he has started the 2007 season with 16 receptions for 352 yards and two touchdowns in two games.</p> Underwood set career-highs in receptions (10), yards (248) and longest reception (66) vs. Buffalo. He hauled in a 65-yard pass for his first touchdown of the contest in the first quarter and a 66-yard TD reception in the second quarter against the Bulls. </p> Underwood's 248 yards were the second most in a game in BIG EAST history. Virginia Tech's Ernest Wilford had 279 receiving yards against Syracuse in 2002. </p> Tallying Up the Tackles Four Scarlet Knights recorded double-digit tackles in the 41-24 victory over Navy. Junior OLB Kevin Malast (13), senior DT Eric Foster (13), sophomore MLB Damaso Munoz (12) each recorded career-high tackle totals while senior SS Ron Girault chipped in with 10 stops. </p> <table border="0" width="75" class="imagepad" align="right"> <tbody><tr> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>MALAST</td> </tr> </tbody></table> Meet Mr. Malast Kevin Malast leads Rutgers and is tied for the BIG EAST lead with 11.5 tackles per game. In two games this season, he has 23 tackles from his outside linebacker position. </p> 10-20 Rutgers has the nation’s 10th-ranked total offense (519.5 yards per game) and the country’s 20th-ranked defense (262.0 yards per game).</p> The Scarlet Knights are ranked in 11 different top-25 team statistical categories, including fourth in the NCAA in passing efficiency and fifth in pass defense. </p> See Ray Run Ray Rice is the first player in Rutgers history to record at least two streaks of five consecutive games or more with 100 yards. He holds the school record for consecutive 100-yard games with “JJ” Jennings with seven. In addition, Rice currently has rushed for 100 yards in five straight games, which is tied for the second-best streak in school history.</p> Over his last five games, Rice is averaging 153 yards per game and has scored nine touchdowns. </p> Rice is among the active career leaders in NCAA history in several categories, including rushing yards, rushing touchdowns and yards per game. </p> Bowl Subdivision Active Career Rushing Leaders Player Games Yards 1. Mike Hart, Michigan 35 3,994 2. Ray Rice, Rutgers 27 3,273</p> Bowl Subdivision Active Career Rushing Yards Per Game Leaders Player Games Yards Per Game 1. Steve Slaton, West Virginia 25 125.1 2. Ray Rice, Rutgers 27 121.2 </p> Bowl Subdivision Active Career Rushing Attempts Leaders Player Games Attempts 1. Mike Hart, Michigan 35 798 2. Kalvin McRae, Ohio 38 653 3. Yvenson Bernard, Oregon State 36 646 4. Ray Rice, Rutgers 27 592 </p> Bowl Subdivision Active Career Rushing Attempts Per Game Leaders Player Games Attempts Per Game 1. P.J. Hill, Wisconsin 15 24.1 2. Mike Hart, Michigan 35 22.8 3. Ray Rice, Rutgers 27 21.9 </p> Bowl Subdivision Active Career Rushing Touchdown Leaders Player Games Touchdowns 1. Steve Slaton, West Virginia 25 38 2. Jorvorskie Lane, Texas A&M 26 33 3. Ian Johnson, Boise State 28 32 4. Kalvin McRae, Ohio 38 31 5. Ray Rice, Rutgers 27 30 5. Mike Hart, Michigan 35 30 </p> <table border="0" width="75" class="imagepad" align="right"> <tbody><tr> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>RICE</td> </tr> </tbody></table> Among the Nation’s Best Rice quickly developed into one of the top running backs in the nation last season and put himself into contention for the Heisman Trophy, finishing seventh in the voting. Rice, who rushed for 1,120 yards as a true freshman in 2005 - the fifth-best mark among true freshmen backs in the nation that year - recorded 10 100-yard games in 2006, including three 200-yard performances. Even more impressive, in 27 career games, Rice has 17 100-yard performances.</p> No. 1 in Rutgers Single-Season History Rice eclipsed a 33 year-old record as he became Rutgers’ all-time single-season rushing leader on a 13-yard carry in the second quarter of the Cincinnati game (Nov. 18) last season. Rice broke JJ Jennings’ record of 1,353 yards set in 1973 in 11 games. Rice set the new record in just 10 games in 2006.</p> Rutgers Single-Season Rushing Leaders Player Yards Year 1. Ray Rice 1,794 2006 2. JJ Jennings 1,353 1973 </p> Rutgers Single-Season Rushing Touchdown Leaders Player Touchdowns Year 1. JJ Jennings 21 1973 2. Ray Rice 20 2006 </p> Getting Better as the Game Goes On Rice has saved his best football for the biggest games of in the fourth quarter of play and overtime. Rice rushed for 487 yards on 82 carries in the fourth quarter and overtime in 2006, including four touchdowns. He averaged 5.9 yards per carry in the fourth quarter of play and recorded six runs of 20-yards or longer in the final period.</p> In 2007, he has only played in one game during the fourth quarter, rushing nine times for 27 yards and a touchdown vs. Navy. </p> Rice’s Top Fourth Quarter Rushing Totals Opponent Att.-Yards-TD Long Run at Pitt (W, 20-10) 14-116-1 63 at #15 WVU 14-76-1 27@ #3 L’ville (W, 28-25) 10-75-0 20 at USF (W, 22-20) 9-72-1 44 @ Three-OT game </p> Back-to-Back 1,000-Yard Seasons Rice became just the third player in Rutgers history to record back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons with his 225-yard game at Pitt last year. Rice finished the 2005 campaign with 1,120 yards and 1,794 yards in 2006.</p> Only Terrell Willis (1993-94) and JJ Jennings (1972-73) have also recorded consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. </p> Rutgers Career Rushing Leaders Player Yards Year(s) 1. Ray Rice 3,273 2005-present 2. Terrell Willis 3,114 1993-95 </p> Rutgers 200-Yard Rushing Games Player Att.-Yds.-TD Opponent (Date) 1. Terrell Willis 35-232-2 Temple (11/12/94) 2. JJ Jennings 30-230-2 UMass (10/6/73) 3. Ray Rice 39-225-1 at Pittsburgh (10/21/06) 4. Terrell Willis 37-221-4 at Army (10/16/93) 5. Ray Rice 27-217-0 at UConn (10/22/05) 6. JJ Jennings 40-214-1 Colgate (11/25/72) 7. Terrell Willis 35-207-2 Navy (9/16/95) 8. Curt Edwards 37-205-1 William & Mary (10/18/75) 9. Ray Rice 35-202-2 at South Florida (9/29/06) 10. Ray Rice 31-201-3 at North Carolina (9/2/06) </p> Consecutive 100-Yard Games at Rutgers Player Number of Games Year(s) 1. JJ Jennings 7 Nov. 25, 1972-Nov. 7, 1973 Ray Rice 7 Nov. 26, 2005-Oct. 14, 2006 3. Ray Rice* 5 Nov. 25, 2006-present * Tied with three others </p> Career 100-Yard Rushing Leaders at Rutgers Player Number of Games Year(s) 1. JJ Jennings 19 1971-73 2. Ray Rice 17 2005-present </p> The 3,000 Club Rice became the second player in Rutgers history to reach the 3,000-yard plateau with his 184-yard performance in the win over Buffalo on Aug. 30. Rice is now tied for fifth in BIG EAST history with 17 career 100-yard games with current West Virginia RB Steve Slaton. Rice is also seventh in BIG EAST history in career rushing yards (3,273). </p> BIG EAST Career Rushing Leaders Player School Years Yards 1. Avon Cobourne West Virginia 1999-02 5,039 2. Amos Zereoue West Virginia 1996-98 3,907 3. Derrick Knight Boston College 2000-03 3,725 4. Mike Cloud Boston College 1995-98 3,597 5. Kevin Jones Virginia Tech 2001-03 3,475 6. Walter Reyes Syracuse 2001-04 3,424 7. Ray Rice Rutgers 2005-present 3,273 8. Tanardo Sharps Temple 1999-02 3,269 9. Steve Slaton West Virginia 2005-present 3,127 10. Terrell Willis Rutgers 1993-95 3,114 </p> Schiano’s Recruiting Proves Fruitful Since taking over as head coach on December 1, 2000, Greg Schiano has introduced seven recruiting classes at Rutgers, with 151 new players seeing action under his watch. Below is a breakdown of the classes by year and state: </p> 2001 21 members 7 Fla., 13 N.J., 1 Mo. 2002 22 members 10 Fla., 9 N.J., 1 N.H., 1 Ontario, 1 N.Y. 2003 23 members 7 Fla., 10 N.J., 1 Calif., 1 Minn., 2 Ct., 1 N.Y., 1 Pa. 2004 19 members 4 Fla., 11 N.J., 1 Calif., 1 Ontario, 1 N.Y. 2005 22 members 5 Fla., 10 N.J., 5 N.Y., 1 Pa., 1 Quebec 2006 23 members 6 Fla., 9 N.J., 4, N.Y., 3 Pa., 1 Mass. 2007 21 members 5 Fla., 10 N.J., 1 Del., 2 Pa., 1 N.C., 2 Md. Totals 151 members 44 Fla., 72 N.J., 12 N.Y., 7 Pa., 1 Mass., 1 Minn., </p> 1 Mo.,1 N.H., 3 Calif., 2 Ct., 3 Canada, 1 Del., 1 N.C., 2 Md.) </p> Big-Play Offense Rutgers recorded five plays of 25 yards or longer in the victory over Buffalo. Ray Rice recorded runs of 41 and 34 yards for a pair of touchdowns while Tiquan Underwood scored on a 66-yard and 65-yard touchdown receptions from Mike Teel. Sophomore KR/RB Kordell Young also posted Rutgers’ longest kickoff return since 2005 with a 56-yard kickoff return to start the 2007 season. Rice had just four rushes of 30 yards or longer in 2006.</p> In all, Rutgers has totaled eight plays of 25 yards or more in 2007. 25-Yard Plus Plays in 2007 Date Opponent Yards Type Player(s) 8/30 Buffalo 66 Pass T. Underwood from M. Teel* 8/30 Buffalo 65 Pass T. Underwood from M. Teel* 8/30 Buffalo 56 Kickoff Return K. Young 9/7 Navy 53 Pass K. Britt from M. Teel* 8/30 Buffalo 41 Rush R. Rice* 8/30 Buffalo 34 Rush R. Rice* 9/7 Navy 30 Pass K. Britt from M. Teel 9/7 Navy 25 Kickoff Return T. Brown * Touchdown scored on play </p> <table border="0" width="75" class="imagepad" align="right"> <tbody><tr> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>FOSTER</td> </tr> </tbody></table> All-American Foster Anchors the Defense Senior DT Eric Foster - Rutgers’ first defensive first-team All-American since 1976 - returns in 2007 as one of the nation’s best at his position.</p> The Homestead, Fla., native posted a career-high 13 tackles in the Sept. 7 victory over Navy. </p> Teel Continues Winning Ways Junior QB Mike Teel enters his second full season as the starter at Rutgers with a sparkling 15-3 record as the Scarlet Knights’ starting quarterback.</p> In his career as a starting quarterback on the high school and college level, Teel is 38-3 behind center. </p> <table border="0" width="75" class="imagepad" align="right"> <tbody><tr> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>TEEL</td> </tr> </tbody></table> Settling in Under Center Mike Teel has started the 2007 season the same way he ended 2006 - as one of the most productive quarterbacks in the nation.</p> Teel started the season with his best game of career statistically, going 16-for-23 passing for a career-high 328 yards and two touchdowns. He ranks fourth nationally in passing efficiency (second in the BIG EAST) and 20th in the NCAA in total offense (second in the BIG EAST).</p> Over Teel’s past five games, he is 75-of-111 for 1,286 yards with 10 touchdowns and one interception. He is averaging 257.2 yards per game during the streak and is completing 67.5 percent of his passes. </p> Not in a Rush Since head coach Greg Schiano took over as defensive coordinator for the Scarlet Knights, Rutgers’ defense has limited the opposition to less than 100 yards rushing 12 times, including three games with negative yards rushing.</p> Seven times during Schiano’s tenure as defensive coordinator, the Rutgers defense has yielded less than 200 yards of total offense to an opponent. </p> Red Zone Success Rutgers is a perfect 7-for-7 in the red zone this season, scoring four touchdowns and three field goals. The Scarlet Knights have limited the opposition to five scores in eight red zone opportunities (three touchdowns, two field goals). </p> 2007 Captains Named Three seniors - OT Jeremy Zuttah, DT Eric Foster and LB Brandon Renkart - along with junior QB Mike Teel were named the 2007 Rutgers’ captains during preseason camp. Captains were determined in a team-wide vote during training camp. </p> Plenty of Experience Returns Up Front The offensive line for Rutgers in 2006 allowed just eight sacks - the fewest total in the nation - in addition to laying key blocks for the nation’s second-leading rusher in Ray Rice.</p> Three starters return in 2007 up front for Rutgers, including left tackle Pedro Sosa and right tackle Jeremy Zuttah. Sosa, a 2006 BIG EAST Second Team performer, has started 27 consecutive games at left tackle for the Scarlet Knights. He allowed just one sack in 2006. </p> Zuttah, a 2006 BIG EAST First Team selection, has started 17 consecutive games on the offensive line.</p> Senior LG Mike Fladell also returns up front. The New York native started all 13 games last season.</p> The three players have combined for 70 starts during their careers “On the Banks.” </p> Five Games and Counting The Rutgers offensive line has not allowed a sack of QB Mike Teel in five consecutive games dating back to last season. The last time a Rutgers QB was sacked was Nov. 18, 2006 at Cincinnati. Teel was sacked just eight times last season, the fewest amount in the nation. </p> From the Sunshine State to New Jersey Head coach Greg Schiano has taken full advantage of his ties to Florida as the Scarlet Knights have 18 Florida native on their roster. Schiano, a former defensive coordinator at Miami, has had great success in recruiting the Sunshine State. </p> The “Chop Shop” A school-record crowd of 44,111 witnessed the biggest victory in school history as Rutgers topped third-ranked Louisville 28-25 on Nov. 9, 2006. The Scarlet Knights posted five of the top 10 crowds in school history last season and established a single-season attendance record. RU averaged 41,112 fans per game in 2006 - the best total in school history.</p> Currently, around 6,400 fans are on the waiting list for season tickets. The Scarlet Knights have sold-out all of their home games already in 2007.</p> Rutgers has played in front of four consecutive sell-out crowds, the longest stretch in school history.</p> The third-largest crowd in Rutgers Stadium history witnessed the 41-24 victory over Navy on Sept. 7. </p> Top Crowds in Rutgers Stadium History Game Attendance Date 1. #14 RU 28, #3 Louisville 25 44,111 (11/9/06) 2. #15 RU 38, Syracuse 7 43,791 (11/25/06) 3. #15 Rutgers 44, Navy 21 43,514 (9/7/07) 4. #16 RU 38, Buffalo 3 43,091 (8/30/07) 5. RU 19, Michigan St. 14 42,612 (9/4/04) 6. RU 31, Navy 21 41,716 (10/29/05) 7. Texas 38, RU 21 41,511 (9/11/99) 8. West Virginia 35, RU 30 41,232 (10/30/04) 9. RU 24, Ohio 7 41,102 (9/16/06) 10. RU 24, UConn 13 41,077 (10/29/06) </p> <table border="0" width="75" class="imagepad" align="right"> <tbody><tr> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>ITO</td> </tr> </tbody></table> Ito on Target Senior PK Jeremy Ito became Rutgers’ all-time leader in scoring and field goals in 2006 to cap off one of the best seasons in school history by a place-kicker. Ito, who hit two game-winning field goals vs. USF and Louisville, was a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award in 2006.</p> In 2007, Ito was named a Preseason All-American by Playboy Magazine. </p> This season, Ito is 3-for-5 in field goals and a perfect 10-for-10 on PATs.</p> Below is a list of where Ito ranks in Rutgers and BIG EAST history in several kicking categories: Category (Total) RU BIG EAST Career Field Goals (60) 1 2 PATs (119) 1 10 Scoring (299) 1 6 </p> <table border="0" width="75" class="imagepad" align="right"> <tbody><tr> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> </tr> </tbody></table> NFL Impact on the Sidelines Head coach Greg Schiano headlines a list of seven coaching staff members who have either played or coached in the NFL. Included in the list are two strength and conditioning coaches, Jay Butler and Chris Hewitt, as well as four assistant coaches. </p> Greg Schiano Chicago Bears Defensive Backs Coach (1996-98)</p> Jay Butler New York Giants-Free Agent (1991)</p> Chris Demarest Washington Redskins-Free Agent (1988)</p> Cary Godette Miami Dolphins-D-line Coach (1995-96) Carolina Panthers-OLB Coach (1994-95) Dallas Cowboys-D-line Coach (1990-91)</p> John McNulty Dallas Cowboys-WR Coach (2003) Jacksonville Jaguars-WR Coach (2000-02) Jacksonville Jaguars-Quality Control (1998-2000)</p> Craig Ver Steeg Chicago Bears-Assistant Coach (1996-97)</p> Chris Hewitt New Orleans Saints-Strong Safety (1997-2000) New Orleans Saints-Special Teams Coach (2001) </p> Looking at the Depth Chart On the current depth chart, 19 of Rutgers’ 22 starters are natives of New York or New Jersey. All 11 starters on offense are from the region, including nine from the Garden State.</p> With just 11 scholarship seniors on the roster, Rutgers’ depth chart features 21 freshmen or sophomores among the top 44 players on offense and defense. </p> Three Picks Sink Navy Navy QB Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada entered the Rutgers game with one interception in 56 career attempts, but had three interceptions in 12 attempts. It was the first time Navy threw three interceptions in a game since Nov. 11, 2000 vs. Tulane. </p> The three-interception game for Rutgers was the first since Oct. 4, 2003 vs. Virginia Tech. </p> True Freshmen on the Field Ten true freshmen have earned playing time for the Scarlet Knights in 2007: LB Manny Abreu (Union City, N.J.) CB Brandon Bing (Wyncote, Pa.) RG Anthony Davis (Piscataway, N.J.) DE Justin Francis (Miramar, Fla.) DE Jonathan Freeny (Margate, Fla.) DB Joe Lefeged (Germantown, Md.) LB Antonio Lowery (Miami, Fla.) DB Colin McEvoy (Hillsdale, N.J.) RB Mason Robinson (Somerville, N.J.) DE Alex Silvestro (Gibbstown, N.J.)</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (JCB)</div><div class='quotemain'>Mason Robinson getting some touches now. Second teamers looking pretty good.</div></p> And as I say this, he breaks off a nice run. Backfield of the future - Young, Brooks, and Robinson. Very nice!</p> </p>
