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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.
CONTINUED: Rutgers at Syracuse
Undefeated Road Seasons in School History
1958 4-0
1960 5-0
1961 5-0
1976 4-0
The Turnover Story
Rutgers has turned the ball over just eight times through nine games, including five turnovers over the previous eight games. During Greg Schiano's nine-year tenure, the eight turnovers are the fewest amount for Rutgers through nine games.
Defensively, the Scarlet Knights have gained 29 turnovers through nine games. The 29 turnovers already rank as the second-highest season total under Schiano.
Turnovers During the Schiano Era
Year Season Total Through 9 Games
2009 — 8
2008 20 12
2007 25 17
2006 20 15
2005 23 12
2004 35 26
2003 29 20
2002 38 23
2001 42 35
Turnovers Gained During the Schiano Era
Year Season Total Through 9 Games
2009 — 29
2008 21 6
2007 19 10
2006 31 21
2005 20 16
2004 28 20
2003 23 20
2002 25 14
2001 20 15
National Leader in Turnover Margin
Rutgers leads the nation in turnover margin (+2.33) per game. The Scarlet Knights have gained 16 fumbles and 13 interceptions in 2009. The 16 fumbles gained are the second-highest total in the nation, trailing only Houston (17).
Downtown to Brown
Tim Brown is one of the nation's top wide receivers in 2009. The Miami native is 10th nationally with 95.6 receiving yards per game. He is the only player in the nation to rank in the top 10 nationally in receiving yards per game and average over 20 yards per reception (21.5).
Brown is averaging a staggering 44.2 yards per touchdown reception in 2009 over his six scoring plays.
For his career, Brown's 17 career touchdowns have averaged 41.3 yards per reception.
What Can Brown Do for You?
Tim Brown has continued to get better and better as his career has progressed at Rutgers. The senior WR leads the team with 40 receptions for 860 yards in 2009. Brown also leads RU in yards per reception (21.5) and receiving yards per game (95.6).
Tim Brown Year-by-Year
Year GP Rec. Yards Avg. TD YPG
2006 10 8 202 25.2 3 20.2
2007 12 24 340 14.2 2 28.3
2008 13 27 565 20.9 6 43.5
2009 9 40 860 21.5 6 95.6
Touchdown Brown
Tim Brown is tied for first in school history with 17 career touchdown receptions. He is also seventh in RU history with 1,967 career receiving yards.
Labeled the "most dangerous deep threat in the BIG EAST" by Lindy's, Brown is second in school history with eight career 100-yard receiving games.
In 2009, 31 of Brown's 40 receptions have resulted in a first down or touchdown. On third downs, 14 of his 17 receptions have moved the chains.
Rutgers Career 100-Yard Receiving Game Leaders
1. Kenny Britt (2006-08) 14
2. Tim Brown (2006-present) 8
3. Tres Moses (2001-05) 7
3. Marco Battaglia (1992-95) 7
5. Tiquan Underwood (2005-08) 6
Rutgers Career Receiving Yardage Leaders
1. Kenny Britt (2006-08) 3,043
2. Tres Moses (2001-05) 2,522
3. Andrew Baker (1981-84) 2,268
4. Marco Battaglia (1992-95) 2,221
5. Jim Guarantano (1989-92) 2,065
6. Clark Harris (2003-06) 2,015
7. Tim Brown (2006-present) 1,967
8. Tiquan Underwood (2005-08) 1,931
Rutgers Career Receiving Touchdown Leaders
1. Kenny Britt (2006-08) 17
1. Chris Brantley (1990-93) 17
1. Tim Brown (2006-present) 17
3. Marco Battaglia (1992-95) 16
3. Tiquan Underwood (2005-08) 16
3. Marco Battaglia (1992-95) 16
Sensational Start for Sanu
Mohamed Sanu became the first true freshman to start at wide receiver for the Scarlet Knights in his first game in the Greg Schiano era. Sanu is also the only player on the current roster to start as a true freshman in his first game as a Scarlet Knight.
Sanu caught the most passes by a true freshman WR in his first career start at Rutgers with 10 receptions for 101 yards vs. Cincinnati.
Sanu is just the fourth true freshman to start at wide receiver for Rutgers since Greg Schiano became head coach in 2001.
Sanu is second on the team in receptions (37) and receiving yards (396). He finished with his second 100-yard game of the season with five receptions for a career-high 105 yards in the first half vs. No. 23 USF.
Starting a Bowl Tradition
Before Greg Schiano's arrival at Rutgers, the Scarlet Knights played in one bowl game in 131 seasons of football. In his first eight seasons at the helm of the program, Schiano has guided Rutgers to four consecutive bowl games.
The Scarlet Knights are one of 31 teams to play in four consecutive bowls. Among BCS members, Rutgers is one of 21 schools to play in four straight bowl games and just one of three BIG EAST programs to play in four consecutive bowls (Rutgers, West Virginia, USF).
All-time, Rutgers is 3-2 in postseason play.
Active Backers
As with any standout defense, the linebacking unit is always a key part and the 2009 linebackers for Rutgers have played at a high level the entire season. Seniors Ryan D'Imperio and Damaso Munoz along with junior Antonio Lowery have been the three primary linebackers in every game this season.
The trio have combined for 148 tackles, four sacks, three interceptions and two touchdowns scored. Munoz is second on the team with 52 tackles while D'Imperio and Lowery are tied for third with 48 tackles.
SOURCE: RUTGERS ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
