Rutgers Football

College football news, stats, photos and more

Leading receiver hasn't practiced during bowl preparations. Full story »

Senior WR re-injured sprained ankle against West Virginia on Dec. 5 Full story »

St. Petersburg Bowl will take place in midst of Rutgers' semester-ending exam period Full story »

Converted TE Capers has risen to be a potential second-round NFL draft pick Full story »

Answering your questions about the West Virginia-Rutgers game Full story »

Get the inside scoop on the Mountaineers from team beat writer Mike Casazza of the Charleston Daily Mail Full story »

Taking your submissions for questions before Saturday's West Virginia game Full story »

Junior lost his starting job twice; he has it back now and doesn't want to give it up again. Full story »

Rutgers coach says, "He's really built something pretty spectacular there" Full story »

Get the inside scoop on the Orange from team beat writer Donnie Webb of the Syracuse Post-Standard Full story »

Get the inside scoop on the Bulls from team beat writer Greg Auman of the St. Petersburg Times Full story »

USF LB Wilson: 'A lot of hype going into the game, but they're second in the Big East in giving up sacks' Full story »

With South Florida-Rutgers game approaching on Thursday, Leavitt speaks with members of the media Full story »

While opponents, Rutgers DE George Johnson enjoys watching the skill of fellow DE George Selvie of USF Full story »

McCourty was on the field for 111 play against the Huskies Full story »

Saturday's hero Brown and fellow senior McCourty honored as players of the week by the Big East Full story »

Davis was late to a team function this week, according to team spokesman Full story »

Get the inside scoop on the Black Knights from team beat writer Sal Interdonato of the Times Herald-Record Full story »

The coach counted eight plays where the Scarlet Knights hurt themselves against Pittsburgh, rather than getting hurt by something the opponent did. Full story »

Fifth-year senior had his biggest day as a college player the last time Rutgers visited Army. Full story »

While disappointed with result against Pittsburgh, Savage still feels as if he's progressing  Full story »

Answering all of your questions about Rutgers football heading into Friday's night's game against Pittsburgh Full story »

Send Brendan Prunty your questions about the Pittsburgh game for Friday afternoon's post Full story »

Get the inside scoop on the Panthers from team beat writer Paul Zeise of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Full story »

Savage will get first true test as a starting quarterback on Friday night against Big East foe Pittsburgh Full story »

'Wildcat' offensive scheme was used sparingly by Rutgers last season and may get a second look on Friday against Pitt Full story »

Wide receiver hauled in four catches for 132 yards and two touchdowns last year against Pittsburgh Full story »

Answering all of your questions about Rutgers football heading into Saturday's game against Texas Southern Full story »

After spending seven years at Ch. 7, Scott now working as a sports physician for local sports teams including the Rutgers and Princeton football squads Full story »

Rutgers' Homecoming game against Texas Southern last tuneup before Pittsburgh next Friday night Full story »

Natale's roller-coaster season continues, with the fifth-year senior returning to a back-up role Saturday two weeks after first-ever win.  Full story »

Send Brendan Prunty your questions about the Texas Southern game for Saturday's post Full story »

The Scarlet Knights battled the elements Wednesday -- maybe in preparation for Saturday's game Full story »

Redshirt freshman DT Vallone beginning to make his presence known on Scarlet Knights' defensive line Full story »

Savage hoping to return to game action for first time since suffering concussion on Sept. 19 Full story »

It's been a wild roller-coaster ride this season for the third-year sophomore from Hopatcong. Full story »

Domenic Natale takes the majority of first team snaps in Tuesday's practice, Savage watches from sidelines Full story »

Fifth-year senior quarterback has no hearing in his right ear and lost his eardrum when he was 12 years old Full story »

Says that even though Savage is a true freshman he will 'be a really, really good quarterback' for the Scarlet Knights Full story »

With Savage still dealing with aftereffects from knockout hit nine days ago, Schiano hopeful true freshman QB can return during bye week. Full story »

The Tom Savage era has officially begun. Wednesday evening after practice, Rutgers coach Greg Schiano officially made the announcement that the true freshman from Springfield, Pa. will be the starter Saturday afternoon against Howard. "Tommy's going to be the starter," Schiano said. "Dom's going to back him up." Full story »

You simply can't say it any better or more succinctly than Rutgers coach Greg Schiano did afterwards. "Certainly not what my visions were of what today was going to be like." That would be an understatement after Rutgers laid a colossal egg on national television and in front of a packed, new-expanded Rutgers Stadium crowd, losing 47-15 to defending... Full story »

This is it. Since mounting a furious second-half comeback to win the Papajohns.com Bowl over North Carolina State last December, Rutgers football has been building to Monday -- the season-opener against none other than defending Big East champion Cincinnati. On the precipice of a new season, many of the questions surrounding the Scarlet Knights regard the offense. Who will... Full story »

Rutgers quarterback Dom Natale talks to Star-Ledger beat reporter Tom Luicci about the pressures of starting the season against Cincinnati. Continue reading this entry to view the video. Full story »

Only a few days before Rutgers' first scrimmage of training camp, the team's center -- and staple along its offensive line -- Ryan Blaszczyk said there were some things he wanted to see out of the rest of his linemates. Almost three weeks, three scrimmages and countless more hours of practice later, has he seen what he's needed to... Full story »

Rutgers defensive tackle Blair Bines and defensive end George Johnson comment on Cincinnati's quarterback Tony Pike and the challenges he presents to the Rutgers defense. Continue reading this entry to view the video Full story »

Weight gain is a relative term in football. For some it's a sign of laziness and poor discipline. For Rutgers linebacker Damaso Munoz, putting on a few pounds meant getting back to his comfort level on the field. Full story »

Every time that Kevin Haslam pushes the thought out of his head, it pops right back in courtesy of a text message or a phone call from Jeremy Zuttah. Is this Rutgers offensive line as good as the 2006 one? "I really can't compare our line to 2006," Haslam said after Wednesday's practice. "That line was obviously a great... Full story »

There have been times in the past year when the only thing Howard Barbieri could be sure of is that he's an offensive lineman. Guard? At times. Tackle? He can handle that. Emergency center? Rutgers prepared him to do that late last season. Right side? He's played there. Left side? There too. "I've actually gone the wrong way on... Full story »

Devin McCourty knows he won't have a chance to ease into his senior season. Right from the outset, when Rutgers opens against Cincinnati a week from Monday, the Knights' cornerback and captain will probably face one of his toughest challenges all year. That would be returning first-team all-Big East wide receiver Mardy Gilyard.  Full story »

Maybe it's the expectations for this Rutgers team in a wide-open Big East. Three members of ESPN's "GameDay" on Saturday picked the Knights to win the league. Or perhaps it's just the stinging memory of last year's deflating home loss to Fresno State -- also on Labor Day -- to start what was supposed to be a promising season.... Full story »

Tim Brown didn't mind the steady rain that pelted Rutgers practice Friday and he hardly noticed the dramatic drop in temperature that made the conditions almost spring-like. What did catch the senior wide receiver's eye as he lined up with the Knights' starting offense was seeing that the scout team players didn't have their usual numbers on. Instead, they... Full story »

It's the forgotten competition at Rutgers camp, obscured by the daily barrage of questions about the quarterback situation, which is usually followed by a round of inquiries about wide receiver. Manny Abreu and Antonio Lowery, waging a fierce battle to be the starting weakside linebacker, like it that way. Full story »

What's the biggest thing Greg Schiano wants to get out of Rutgers' second scrimmage on Saturday? "I think, obviously, we need to have this quarterback thing clean itself up a little bit,'' Schiano said after practice Friday. "I'm not a rooter - I'm not in this thing rooting for anybody; I just want it to clean itself up a... Full story »

Way back on the third practice field, far away from where their teammates were crashing into each other under the watchful eye of coach Greg Schiano, Teddy Dellaganna and San San Te were getting their work in, too, banging footballs all over the place for nearly three hours. "Today we were doing all our specialty stuff -- like today,... Full story »

Fellow senior Jabu Lovelace practices at wide receiver. Full story »

All it took was two series into Rutgers' first preseason scrimmage Tuesday for the worst fears about the team's uncertain quarterback situation to surface. Dom Natale, the front-runner to be the starter, brought an abrupt halt to the opening drive by losing a fumble in the red zone. Jabu Lovelace, his chief competition, took his turn a series later... Full story »

From quarterbacks to defenses to injuries -- what's the biggest concern? Full story »

The drill is not a new one for Rutgers center Ryan Blaszczyk. This will be the third first scrimmage of the summer for the Scarlet Knights senior. He knows the ropes, knows what he's on the lookout for, knows where he'll have to push and when he'll have to dial it back. But there is a different feel to... Full story »

After a three-hour practice on field turf that reached temperatures of 102 degrees on Friday, Rutgers linebacker Ryan D'Imperio walked steadily toward the locker room. "I can't move," defensive end George Johnson said, turning toward D'Imperio. "You tired? You tired?" Full story »

A better day for Anthony Davis, but not such a good one for the quarterbacks. Those were the major highlights from Rutgers' fourth day of preseason camp -- with full pads and full contact starting Saturday. First Davis, the Outland Trophy and All-American left tackle who has been demoted to second team for failing to make weight: Full story »

Charlie Noonan knew he would be seasick, so while his teammates spent the day on a fishing boat, he lounged on the beach with a book about sports psychology. He can't remember the name, but he remembers the message. "I can't think about getting hurt again," he said. The fourth-year junior at Rutgers tore the anterior cruciate ligament in... Full story »

It's only three practices so far -- two of them without even shoulder pads. But Jabu Lovelace knows he has to start slowly, stringing one practice after another after another -- especially when Rutgers starts full contact on Friday. Knowledge of the offense isn't the issue with Lovelace as he continues to battle to be the Scarlet Knights' starting... Full story »

While wearing a black bracelet with the word "F.A.M.I.L.Y." etched in white, Khaseem Greene calls his brother the enemy. And starts laughing. Full story »

Kordell Young stood off to the side as his teammates ran through 7-on-7 drills in the searing heat Tuesday afternoon in Piscataway, the chinstrap on his helmet dangling. It was the first day of training camp for the Rutgers football team, but Young, once the team's most promising running back, could only watch during team drills. Young missed all... Full story »

Coach Schiano talks quarterbacks Tom Savage and Dom Natale Rutgers football head coach, Greg Schiano, talks about quarterbacks Tom Savage and Dom Natale after a hot first day of Rutgers camp where temperatures reached close to 100 degrees on the field. Full story »

Luicci reports on the first day of Rutgers camp Star-Ledger writer Tom Luicci reports on the first day of Rutgers football camp and how the day's heat factored into the players' performance. Full story »

The Scarlet Knights opened camp on a day that saw extreme heat and humidity -- and some anger. Full story »

It didn't take long for Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano to send his first message about how serious he is when it comes to players making their prescribed weight. Anthony Davis may be on the Outland Trophy Watch List, an All-American candidate and one of the best linemen in the Big East -- but he is a second-teamer for... Full story »

Another day, another afternoon spent mostly as an observer for Marcus Witherspoon. Rutgers opened preseason camp Tuesday and Witherspoon, one of the state's most heralded high school recruits in 2007, could do little more than watch. It's a role the 6-2, 230-pound linebacker has grown accustomed to. Full story »

All the news that doesn't fit (in the paper) we still print. Spoke briefly today with AD Tim Pernetti, who stopped by to watch the first day of practice. Here's the deal on the new Rutgers Welcome Center that is being built behind the football practice fields and a Teddy Dellaganna punt from Rutgers Stadium: Full story »

In only his first true season at Rutgers, Joe Martinek is the nation's leading rusher. Well, for this week anyway. "Coach said that me and him are very similar," Martinek said Wednesday after practice. "He said, he's (like) me, but a couple of years older. I watched some film on him. We kind of do the same things, so... Full story »

You left us questions, we asked them. Read on to see how Greg Schiano responded to questions from rtabachk, josejose1 and njruknight Keep up the questions - and let us know what you think of this feature. Full story »

It's now officially game week. Rutgers worked on Fresno State for the second straight day on Sunday, with the Knights scheduled to go through what head coach Greg Schiano called a mock 90-minute game on Monday -- with jerseys but no helmets -- before taking Tuesday off. Then the preparation for next Monday's opener against the Bulldogs intensifies. "We... Full story »

You can now watch Greg Schiano's monday afternoon press conference each week. So why not ask a question? Let us know what you want to know and we'll ask for you. So what's on your mind? Leave us a question in the comment field.  Full story »

Shamar Graves can't say he was taken by surprise when Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano named him the No. 2 tight end behind Kevin Brock this week. He had a good feeling about the way he had performed in preseason camp for one reason. "Coach didn't yell at me once the whole time," said the third-year sophomore. And that... Full story »

Beginning Saturday, it's all Fresno State all the time for Rutgers. That's when the Scarlet Knights begin installing their gameplan for the opener on Sept. 1 after breaking camp on Friday. Head coach Greg Schiano spent his post-practice session with the media on Friday dealing mostly with the highs and lows of his eighth summer in Piscataway. Here is... Full story »

No one felt the frustration of Rutgers' problems in the punting game last year more than Teddy Dellaganna. After all, he was supposed to be the reason there wouldn't be any problems. That's why he was brought in from the junior college ranks in California. But Dellaganna couldn't win the job -- even though the Knights finished last in... Full story »

The scaffolding is still up. The running game is still down. It's almost as if nothing has changed from last week's first intra-squad scrimmage to the second and final one that Rutgers held on Wednesday. The most impressive performers? The construction crews. They are working feverishly -- rumor has it on Sundays as well -- to get Rutgers Stadium spruced... Full story »

So what's left for Rutgers coach Greg Schiano to determine after Wednesday's second and final intra-squad scrimmage before the Sept. 1 opener against Fresno State? In the way of starters, not much. The first-team guys on both sides of the ball have been virtually unchanged since preseason camp began. Not that there were a lot of spots available with... Full story »

Rutgers offensive coordinator John McNulty faces an interesting challenge these days beyond trying to replace the greatest running back in school history as well as three offensive line starters from a year ago. He's also trying to strike the right balance between winning now and preparing for the future at the quarterback position when the season starts on Sept.... Full story »

A day after Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano declared the competition open for the No. 2 quarterback job, Chris Paul-Etienne, now battling Jabu Lovelace for the position, said there really was no competition. Well, sort of. "To tell you the truth, I'm not really battling for the No. 2 spot. I'm not battling for any spot," Paul-Etienne said after practice... Full story »

Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano, unhappy with a practice session that featured "too many" penalties for the first time this summer, put the players through some rigorous post-practice work as the final penalty. "Guys were hitting the wall. They're tired," he said. "It's a long camp. We're hitting the wall (and) we're pushing them hard.  Full story »

Zaire Kitchen didn't mind the question at all. In fact, he laughed when it was asked. Three major knee surgeries later tend to change your outlook on things -- even when people openly wonder about your sanity for continuing to play football. So it was posed to him after Rutgers practice on Friday. You keep tearing up your knees,... Full story »

Rutgers coach Greg Schiano officially narrowed the competition for the job as the No. 2 quarterback behind Mike Teel on Thursday, making it a battle between incumbent backup Jabu Lovelace and third-year sophomore Chris Paul-Etienne. That leaves Dom Natale as the odd man out, at least for now, and practically assures that true freshmen D.C. Jefferson and Steve Shimko... Full story »

With one scrimmage down and less than three weeks before the opener against Fresno State, the quarterback pecking order at Rutgers has been established -- at least for now. That's no small thing considering there are six players competing at the position. Mike Teel, of course, is the unquestioned starter. Jabu Lovelace, for now, is his backup -- though... Full story »

Rutgers coach Greg Schiano cautioned the media not to read too much into Wednesday's first intra-squad scrimmage, but really, what fun would that be? So here are some quick impressions off the scrimmage as seen from the scaffolding-obstructed view of the press box (at least the air conditioning works):  Full story »

With Rutgers holding its first intrasquad scrimmage of the summer Wednesday morning, here's a quick look at the five positions to keep an eye on: Full story »

When Matthew Hardison sat down to weigh the pros and cons of switching from defensive line to the offensive side after Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano approached him about a move early this spring, this is what he came up with: He loved the idea that it offered a faster track to playing time. He wanted to do it... Full story »

Rutgers coach Greg Schiano said he saw pretty much what he hoped to see from the Knights' first full contact last night -- capped by an injury-free session that ended at close to 9:45. "It was good," Schiano said. "They played with a lot of emotion. They hit each other hard. (But) we've got a lot of work to... Full story »

When agents first started contacting Mike Teel after the International Bowl in January, he immediately went to Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano for advice on what to do. Schiano held up former star Brian Leonard, now in his second year with the St. Louis Rams, as the example for his star quarterback. "He told me that with my parents... Full story »

We just returned from talking with head coach Greg Schiano after the teams first full-contact practice with pads. The big question on everyone's mind was how projected starting RB Kordell Young fared in contact with his surgically repaired left knee. From the view in the press box, Young looked like he had no ill effects, cutting and moving like normal.... Full story »

Tom Savage the recruit has now officially become Tom Savage the recruiter. The talented quarterback, the biggest name in Rutgers' incoming freshman class for 2009, says he has been working on Cardinal O'Hara (Springfield, Pa.) High School teammate Corey Brown to eventually join him in Piscataway. Brown is rated as one of the top running backs in the class... Full story »

Kordell Young understands why some people are making a bit of a fuss about Saturday night's practice and what it means for the third-year sophomore who is trying to replace Ray Rice as Rutgers' starting tailback. It's the first time the Knights will be in full pads with full contact. That means it's the first time Young will expose... Full story »

Here's some more tidbits from this afternoon's practice: Full story »

A couple of quick notes midway through the first true practice of the season: Full story »

Caleb Ruch's natural strength was something that immediately separated him from Rutgers' other true freshmen offensive linemen a year ago. Now it's the stuff of legend -- at least to the folks who run the Athens Wesserunsett Valley Fair in Maine. Ruch, who will open preseason camp Tuesday as the starter at right guard for the Knights, won the... Full story »

Some came back leaner - left tackle Anthony Davis, for one, reported in at 316 pounds (after doing so at 360 last year). Others, like Mike Teel, looked sturdier.  Full story »

Scarlet wins! Scarlet wins! There's nothing to be derived from the 28-14 final score, but here are some notable stat lines from this year's Scarlet-White game and important tidbits from coach Greg Schiano's postgame press conference: Joe Martinek, RB: 13 carries, 64 yards, TD Mason Robinson, RB: 8 carries, 38 yards, TD Full story »

He may be a dark horse to get regular playing time at running back, but there's no reason Joe Martinek shouldn't at least get a look once the season starts. That was clear when he broke a 49-yard run in the second quarter of the Scarlet-White game. And while Kenny Britt and Tiquan Underwood are both creeping toward 100-yard receiving... Full story »

Here's what some potential Rutgers players (and one notable Rutgers verbal commit) had to say during halftime of the spring game, in between shaking hands, signing autographs and generally getting mobbed by fans. Tom Savage, QB (Cardinal O'Hara HS, Springfield, Pa., No. 24 recruit in 2009) "I really like the Rutgers fan base, they all know something special is in... Full story »

Ouch. Kenny Britt takes a big hit and stays on the ground for about a minute. He trots off the field on his own power with an apparent shoulder injury, but if Courtney Greene is being held out of the game, why not Britt? Lucky for Rutgers its star receiver looks OK. So does the other wideout, Tiquan Underwood, who... Full story »

Through one quarter of the Scarlet-White game at Rutgers Stadium we've learned ... not much. With Howard Barbieri at left and Marlon Romulus at left guard, it's safe to say this isn't a totally accurate representation of what we'll see come fall. But Mason Robinson's averaging 4.8 yards on his first 8 carries and Kenny Britt looks smooth on routes.... Full story »

Here's a look at the good, the bad and the ugly from spring practice on Saturday Full story »

Rutgers still has Ray Rice - he's just split into two different people. In our brief glimpses at Mason Robinson and Jourdan Brooks we saw the characteristics and qualities that made Ray Rice special. Now it's just up to the coaching staff to see how they're going to split the carries and keep defenses off balance. But life without Ray... Full story »

Unless, one of these days, either Mike Teel or Greg Schiano comes out and says that the quarterback's thumb is fully healed, it's going to be most prevalent issue for the rest of the season. It's obvious that the injury is bothering Teel, who remains upbeat in his speech even if you get the feeling that he's a little exhausted... Full story »

(And yes, we know we're using the term daily loosely) Anyway, do you want the good news or the bad news? Coach Greg Schiano said yesterday that the team came out of the West Virginia game fairly healthy, with Mike Teel avoiding a reaggravation of his thumb and suffering the usual bumps and bruises. But this morning he received news... Full story »

One interesting subtext for Thursday's showdown between Rutgers and No. 2 South Florida could be the impact on recruiting. In the laborsome grind of courting high school athletes, every little advantage can pay huge dividends. Coach Greg Schiano dismissed suggestions throughout the week that any single game can turn into a recruiting bonanza, even though he recruits heavily in the... Full story »

Must be a big game this week. Thirteen different news outlets -- including Ch. 7 in New York -- were represented at Rutgers practice yesterday in anticipation of Thursday's visit by No. 2-ranked South Florida. Some numbers, courtesy of the Rutgers athletic communications staff, to indicate how big the game is: Rutgers has issued a record 325 media credentials. Four... Full story »

With safety Ron Girault's status still in doubt for this Saturday's game against Syracuse because of an ankle injury, the depth chart shifts forward and puts other members of the secondary in positions of greater contribution. Two of those guys, Zaire Kitchen and Joe Lefeged are faced with two different obstacles - injury and youth. It was in last year's... Full story »

Even as the Rutgers defense gets less and less disruptive, the team shies away from disturbing how things have been done. Coach Greg Schiano and a number of the defensive players have expressed concern at the lack of turnovers gained. Last year, Rutgers ranked 10th in the nation by forcing 31 turnovers - through four games this year they have... Full story »

So, what's it like being the underdog again? For one, Rutgers will have to overcome a few statistical mismatches against Cincinnati this Saturday. The most notable difference, which will be highly publicized leading up to the game, is the turnover differential. The Bearcats lead the nation with 21 turnovers gained, 13 interceptions and a +2.8 turnover margin per game. Rutgers... Full story »

The bye week can make for some crazy scheduling. In terms of how he approaches practice, coach Greg Schiano treated Monday like a Tuesday, Tuesday like a Wednesday, while Wednesday and Thursday will both be Thursdays. Full story »

After the first scrimmage of fall camp, Mason Robinson figured out the biggest difference in the step up to college football. Things are much, much faster. And suddenly, so is his development. Full story »

Ray Rice and Timmy Brown know all about Kordell Young's capabilities. He was the guy who gave Rice a breather and was side-by-side with Brown on kickoff returns. After practice, they both talked about the player they're losing and the necessity of moving forward. Brown had class with Young this morning and was teasing him about having to show up... Full story »

Kevin Malast was one of a few first time starters for Rutgers' defense last week against Buffalo. He accumulated an impressive 10 tackles at the weak side linebacker position, leading the team, but the numbers may be misleading. Maybe he was late on the play and just got credit for an assist, and maybe he was playing too deep and... Full story »

At the end of practice, you can see the players running off the field in little clusters. A couple special teams players here, a few defensive linemen there. You've identified most of the players on the two-deep depth chart as they walk by, taking a quick glimpse at their body language and attitude, more out of curiosity to see how... Full story »

First off, here are some notable quotes about Rutgers from Navy coach Paul Johnson's Monday press briefing. On Mike Teel: "I'm sure he's a better player. He's had another year in the system and he had a great game against Buffalo. I'm sure he's going to be a better player. We will see how it plays out." On Rutgers defending... Full story »

Standing next to Anthony Davis can make a person feel irrelevant. At 6-foot-5, 230 pounds, and with a few months in the weight room, I might be able to convince somebody that I'm a tight end for, say, Appalachian State. But next to this guy, I look like Tim Brown, but without the speed, skill, cool handshakes and sense of... Full story »

Ray Rice's 20 touchdowns last season? Child's play. Based on the results of my ultra-accurate season prediction system, Rice appears ready to take down a seemingly unbreakable record with ease. Barry Sanders, consider yourself a marked man. Full story »

Here are some notable quotes from coach Greg Schiano's press conference this afternoon: On Preparation: "You're never ready enough. I used to get very uptight about that as a younger coach, but I realized that they (the other team) are not ready, either ... It's college kids and you have 20-odd practices to get prepared, but they've worked very hard,... Full story »

The team held a late practice to get the players adjusted to the bright stadium lights. The mood of practice felt different even without any fans in the seats, the aura of the darkness making it truly feel like primetime. Coach Greg Schiano said even after weeks of tough practices, the players still perk up when the lights are shining... Full story »

HIGHLIGHT 1: The heat and humidity played a major role at practice yesterday, with Rutgers setting an unofficial school record for water breaks to deal with the oppressive conditions. "It's probably the hottest practice I've had as a football player," quarterback Mike Teel said. Head coach Greg Schiano said the combined heat and humidity made the weather "the worst since... Full story »

HIGHLIGHT NO. 1: A two-horn signal usually marks the end of practice, but this time was different: It was also the end of preseason camp. So when the players finished running gassers at Rutgers Stadium, head coach Greg Schiano sounded the air horn as he sprinted toward midfield to await the players -- allowing it to continue to screech until... Full story »

HIGHLIGHT NO. 1: Head coach Greg Schiano, who doubles as defensive coordinator, didn't attempt to hide his enthusiasm when the first-team offense scored on the first-team defense during a goal-line drill. As soon as running back Kordell Young sliced his way into the end zone Schiano lept into the air and signal touchdown -- no doubt to the chagrin of... Full story »

HIGHLIGHT NO. 1:With Blair Bines out for perhaps six weeks after suffering a broken jaw in the morning practice, Rutgers' middle linebacker depth featured more injured players than healthy ones during a drill in which the top three players at the linebacker spots were lined up in a row. Damaso Munoz was the No. 1 middle linebacker, with Jim Dumont... Full story »

So... do you want the good news or the bad news? The good: You get to argue even more. The preseason AP Poll was released today and Rutgers comes in at No. 16, sandwiched between Tennessee and Penn State. Conference rival West Virginia, voted No. 3 behind No. 1 USC and No. 2 LSU, received one first-place vote and Louisville... Full story »

HIGHLIGHT NO. 1: Practice was delayed 45 minutes and moved from Rutgers Stadium to the Bubble when a fierce storm passed through, setting off the school's Thorguard lightning warning system. The team was on the field in the stadium preparing to start on special teams situations when head coach Greg Schiano heard the lightning warning. He then had everyone gather... Full story »

HIGHLIGHT NO. 1: It's more than just the sense of urgency at practice these days that suggests the season opener is near. The preparations going on throughout the exterior of Rutgers Stadium are offering signs as well. In the parking lot facing the main entrance, 60 new handicapped parking spaces have been clearly marked in fresh blue and white paint... Full story »

HIGHLIGHT NO. 1:With secondary coach Chris Demarest absent from practice because of a court appearance relating to domestic battery and simple assault charges, head coach Greg Schiano had the defensive backs to himself when the players broke into positional groups. Schiano. who doubles as defensive coordinator, was the secondary coach at Penn State from 1991-96 and for the Chicago Bears... Full story »

HIGHLIGHT No. 1: Remember Andres Morales? Brought in two years ago as a linebacker, he was switched to defensive end and now finds himself getting significant reps as backup fullback/H-back. Head coach Greg Schiano appears to be high on the redshirt freshman's potential at the position. "He's got a chance," Schiano said. "He's a big, athletic kid. He weighs about... Full story »

The team had an abbreviated practice in shorts today, so here's a quartet of gems from coach Greg Schiano that properly summarize the day. "I wouldn't have been so calm if it was legit." - On the "personal foul" committed by defensive tackle Eric Foster. He and a teammate were jokingly shoving each other after a play, but the referees... Full story »

Here's the best of today's scrimmage: Breakout Player: Last season, Jabu Lovelace was supposed to be the antidote at quarterback if anything went wrong. The change-of-pace that could spark the team if they were struggling. Well, very little went wrong last season and Lovelace quickly turned into Jabu Who? Full story »

Today's practice was light in preparation for tomorrow's scrimmage and ended earlier than usual, so here's an abbreviated best of the day: Run: Freshman CB Brandon Bing showed that while middle linebacker and tight end are the most pressing position battles, kick returner will be the most entertaining. He may challenge WRs Tim Brown and Dennis Campbell for fastest player... Full story »

Here's the best of the day: Run: Ray Rice returned to contact drills today and pounded through the defense on his second goal-line carry for a touchdown. He also showed good burst after the nagging hamstring injury that sidelined him the past two days, turning the corner on the right side for a touchdown on another play. The trainers limited... Full story »

Here's the best of the day: Run: Another day, still no Ray. Ray Rice sat out of contact drills again today because of a sore hamstring, but backup RB Kordell Young showed why many of his teammates believe the team wouldn't roll over and die if anything happened to the much-celebrated starter. His first few runs during drills were stopped... Full story »

After every practice we'll bring you the highlights (and occasional lowlights) of the Rutgers football team as they prepare for the regular season. Here's the best of the first day in full pads: Run: Without RB Ray Rice available to bulldoze the defense, backup QB Jabu Lovelace showed off his skills. During one play, with no open receiver, he headed... Full story »

Ray Rice did not participate in contact drills today during the team's first practice in full pads because of a hamstring injury. Although he was not in great pain, the coaches took the precautionary measure and held him out, not about to risk losing a Heisman Trophy candidate for any extended period of time during the season. Full story »

Twice? In a row? Either kicker Jeremy Ito has been spending too much time practicing his point-to-the-camera pose or there's something else going on. At the start of practice, with the team practicing field goals, defensive tackle Pete Tverdov blocked two consecutive attempts. Cleanly, too. These were full on high-fives, not some brush of the fingertip.  Full story »

Camp may be exhausting, but don't think these guys aren't ready to bust some heads. The highlight of the day (for the players at least) was an old women's roller derby game playing on one of the flat screen TVs on the third floor of the Hale Center. With every elbow to the mouth or blindside shoulder tackle, the players... Full story »

Brandon Renkart wants to hit somebody. And he's not about to wait for the season opener against Buffalo. "I'm not even that far ahead," said Renkart, looking forward to next week's practices when the players will put on pads. "When it's live, it's live." Full story »

Coach Greg Schiano praised the increased effort in today's practice but said that sloppy play is still a factor. He's getting an early start on trying to avoid the stupid stuff. He dug into some defensive linemen for forgetting to protect a potential interception before coming back to "block" him, standing in the quarterback's position. Schiano said that as the... Full story »

Greg Schiano didn't keep track of how many times he had to flip on the bullhorn to make a point yesterday, but it sure seemed to be less often than any other first day of practice since he took over as Rutgers coach in 2001. Even with the temperature on the field measuring 112 degrees by the time the... Full story »

At the first practice, things are relatively light. The weather can be draining and the sprints can be excruciating, but it's a time where coaches are trying to weed out the pretenders. Fortunately, at wide receiver, the stars made their step forward last season. Full story »

Mother nature denied coach Greg Schiano's request for a scorching hot afternoon to really test his players. A cool breeze whipping into Rutgers Stadium is making the hot air acceptable, if not enjoyable. Enjoy it freshmen, this might be one of your only breaks of the next few weeks. Full story »

Success can be burdensome. For all the success Greg Schiano's efforts as coach of Rutgers has brought to the team, extra time in the limelight can be tiring. As one of last year's most honored coaches, he gets peppered with the same questions throughout the off-season. It's a time where there is little progress outside of the recruiting world... Full story »

These aren't just veterans - Rutgers stumbled upon a group of guidance counselors. Ray Rice and Eric Foster, making their first appearance in the halls of the Hale Center, weren't rattling off the checklist of goals for the upcoming season. It's camp, and they know that any achievements they have on their minds for the season depend on the growth... Full story »

It's sweltering hot outside the Hale Center. The players are walking in and out with pained expressions - as if they don't understand that it's about to get much worse. Freshman OT Anthony Davis got his first taste of being the hometown hero, immediately swarmed by note pads and looking like a deer caught...in a swarm of journalists. Full story »