2006 Statistics

This will continue to be a grinding offense that methodically moves the ball so as to keep opposing offenses off the field. With a QB like Mike Teel, big chunks classically come via the run setting up the pass. The junior has the physical tools and can heave the rock far, but is not the aerial technician who can win the game at will with his arm. What Teel does is manage the game and his team well for the eventual win. It is much easier with the likes of first-team all-Big East RB Ray Rice slicing through holes and demanding LBs attention. The nation’s third leading rusher in ’06, the preseason All-American’s continued production is critical for this team to remain a powerhouse. Many will point to the departure of fullback and team leader Brian Leonard as the reason Rutgers may fall back to mediocrity. Those people don’t know about sophomore Jack Corcoran. If anyone can replace the unsung impact of Leonard, it is Corcoran, a gritty former two-way player (LB-FB) who also was the prep state 215 lb. wrestling champ. The holes will be opened for Rice, but can Corcoran also prove he has the soft hands of the team’s now-departed captain and top snarler? Replacing the team’s second-leading catcher – TE Clark Harris – will be just as important for the stealth of the receivers. Spreading Teel’s efforts amongst all possible targets keeps any/all ball-carrying Knights isolated against chasing defenders, a key to Rutgers recent surge. Receivers Britt and Underwood use their size to overmatch often-distracted DBs, and Campbell embraces his roll underneath. All three, and their backups, block downfield well. All-conference senior tackles Jeremy Zuttah (first team) and Pedro Sosa (second team) are possibly the nation’s best outside pair and assure Rutgers again finishes near the top for sacks allowed (only eight allowed in ’06 to lead I-A). New faces inside will be led by senior guard Mike Fladell, and along with replacing Leonard, re-bolstering the line’s interior will be vital for keeping the Boys from New Brunswick in the top 25.

This defense quietly finished as the nation’s No.4 total defense, and enough of the DL’s and secondary’s cores come back to think that they can again be a feared group. Senior Eric Foster led the team in both tackles-for-loss (14) and passes broken-up (four) from his tackle slot, and his all-conference prowess is vital as there is little experience inside besides his. Junior DE Jamaal Westerman tied for the team lead in sacks (eight), but is big and disciplined enough to secure the outside in running downs. The rest of the front seven is rather undetermined besides LB Brandon Renkart. This area will be where head coach and defensive coordinator Greg Schiano is measured most – this past year’s recruiting class is rather defensive laden and some of the newbies will surely have to chip in up front if Rutgers is to again measure up on this side of the ball. Deep, undeveloped pools of bigman talent exist there in north New Jersey, though speed exists more than size. Schiano has done a great job in the past of elevating unheralded recruits to unimaginable heights, and this 2006 Coach of the Year (Big East; national - Walter Camp, FWAA/Eddie Robinson, Home Depot, Liberty Mutual) is a great enough motivator that people in Morristown and Hoboken will soon make household names out of his choices. Safeties Ron Girault and Courtney Greene are equally good in both run support and deep coverage, while twins Jason (jr.) and Devin McCourty (soph.) should be integral in the mix – Jason as a starting corner and Devin as a nickel safety. Greene, Girault and the entire secondary will be another reason the Knights can hang with Louisville and West Virginia atop the conference standings.