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Article Index
Date: Saturday, Nov. 21
Kickoff: 3:32 p.m.
Site: Syracuse, N.Y.
Stadium: Carrier Dome
Series Record: Syracuse leads 28-10-1
Last Meeting: Rutgers 35, Syracuse 17
BROADCAST INFORMATION
TV: None
Internet Broadcast: ESPN360.com
Radio: Rutgers Football Radio Network
Affiliates: WOR 710-AM (New York City);
WPHT 1210-AM (Philadelphia/South Jersey);
WCTC 1450-AM (Central Jersey)
Satellite Radio: Sirius Channel 158
Student Radio: WRSU 88.7 FM
THE GAME
Rutgers (7-2, 2-2 Big East), ranked No. 25 in this week's Associated Press Top 25 poll, looks for its 15th victory over its last 17 games as the Scarlet Knights travel to Syracuse (3-7, 0-5 Big East) for a Big East Conference game vs. the Orange. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. with live coverage on the Internet at ESPN360.com.
Rutgers moved into the AP Top 25 and became bowl-eligible for the fifth consecutive season with a 31-0 victory over then 23rd-ranked USF Thursday night in Piscataway.
The Rutgers Radio Network has pre-game coverage at 2:30 p.m. Chris Carlin, Ray Lucas and Anthony Fucilli will call the action on WOR-710 AM in New York City, WCTC-1450 AM in Central Jersey and WPEN-1210 AM in Philadelphia and South Jersey.
Inside the Rutgers-Syracuse Series
Despite trailing the all-time series 28-10-1 to Syracuse, Rutgers has won four consecutive games vs. the Orange in impressive fashion. Over the current four-game winning streak vs. the Orange, Rutgers has outscored Syracuse 142-47. In addition, the Scarlet Knights have scored 30 or more points vs. Syracuse in five straight games.
The four-game winning streak is the longest for Rutgers in the series that began in 1914.
With a win Saturday, Rutgers would have earned its first three-game winning streak in the Carrier Dome. Overall, the Scarlet Knights have won five of the previous six games vs. Syracuse.
Coming of Age
For a program that lost six players from last season's team that are on active NFL rosters in 2009, Rutgers has started the season 7-2.
The Scarlet Knights have 20 players on their current two-deep roster with two or more years of eligibility remaining, including eight freshmen. Two true freshmen are in the starting lineup in QB Tom Savage and WR Mohamed Sanu.
Rutgers has just 12 scholarship seniors on the 2009 roster.
Best Start Since 2006
Rutgers is off to its best start since 2006 and has the opportunity to record 10 wins in a season for just the third time in 140 years of football "On the Banks." The Scarlet Knights were 9-0 after nine games in 2006 en route to an 11-2 season.
Rutgers has started the season with seven or more wins in its first nine games 17 times in school history.
New York State of Mind
Rutgers has won nine consecutive games vs. teams from the State of New York.
During the nine-game winning streak, Rutgers has outscored the Empire State opponents 295-72. Rutgers has scored at least 31 points in seven of the nine games, while only allowing double-figures in points in three games.
Rutgers has 15 New York natives on its roster, the most players from any state other than New Jersey on the team. Two starters for the Scarlet Knight defense hail from the Empire State — Nanuet's Devin McCourty and Central Islip's Scott Vallone.
Three members of the Rutgers coaching staff have direct ties to New York. Assistant head coach/co-offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Kyle Flood is a native of Bayside, played collegiately at Iona and coached at C.W. Post and Hofstra.
Co-defensive coordinator/secondary coach Ed Pinkham served for 10 seasons on the staff at Colgate in Hamilton, N.Y. from 1996-2007.
Linebackers coach Bob Fraser also coached the linebacking unit at Colgate from 1998-05.
Defensive line coach Gary Emanuel coached the defensive line at Syracuse from 1991-93 as well.
Savage Among True Freshmen QB Leaders
Tom Savage is one of nine true freshmen quarterbacks to serve as the primary starter in the Football Bowl Subdivision.
Savage ranks first nationally among all true freshmen quarterbacks in:
- Winning percentage as starter: 6-1 (.857)
- Passing Efficiency: 134.82
- Touchdown to interception ratio: 5:1
Savage is also Rutgers' single-season record holder for a true freshman quarterback in the following categories:
- Winning percentage as starter: 6-1 (.857)
- Wins as a starter: 6
- Touchdown passes: 10
- Passing Yards: 1,535
Protecting the Pigskin
Rutgers is +29 in turnover differential over its last 16 games (14-2). The Scarlet Knights have gained 29 turnovers this season, including at least one in every game. In total, Rutgers has forced a turnover in 15 straight games.
Rutgers leads the nation in turnover differential (2.33).
In 2009, Rutgers is +21 in turnover differential (29 turnovers, 8 giveaways).
Over the last 16 games, Rutgers has gained a total of 46 turnovers.
14-2
Rutgers has won 14 of its last 16 games, dating back to the 2008 season. The Scarlet Knights are 6-0 on the road during the streak.
Over the last 16 games, Rutgers has held eight opponents to under 300 yards of total offense, including a low of 126 yards of total offense vs. Texas Southern. The Scarlet Knights held USF to seven first downs and shutout the Bulls for the first time in the school's history in a regular season game. The seven first downs for USF were also a program low.
Unfriendly Visitors on the Road
Rutgers has the chance to finish with its fifth undefeated season in school history on the road with wins at Syracuse and Louisville to close out the 2009 road schedule for the Scarlet Knights. Rutgers has won six consecutive games away from Rutgers Stadium, dating back to last season.
Rutgers' last loss on the road was a 13-10 setback to Cincinnati on Oct. 11, 2008.
