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Article IndexDate: Friday, Nov. 27
Kickoff: 11 a.m.
Site: Louisville, Ky.
Stadium: Papa John's Cardinal Stadium
Surface: FieldTurf
Capacity: 42,000
Rankings: Rutgers (Not Ranked); Louisville (Not Ranked)
Series Record: Rutgers leads, 6-2
Last Meeting: Rutgers 63, Louisville 14
BROADCAST INFORMATION
TV: ESPN2 (Eric Collins, Play-by-Play and Brock Huard, Color Analyst)
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 122; XM Channel 143
Student Radio: WRSU 88.7 FM
Television Replay: SNY (Saturday, Nov. 28 - 6 a.m./4 p.m.)
THE GAME
Rutgers (7-3, 2-3 in Big East) looks to get back in the win column this week as the Scarlet Knights travel to Louisville (4-7, 1-5 in Big East ) for a Friday morning ESPN2 telecast. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. from Papa John's Cardinal Stadium in Louisville.
Rutgers lost for just the third time in its last 18 games with a 31-13 setback at Syracuse on Nov. 21. The loss snapped a four-game winning streak vs. the Orange.
The Cardinals lost 34-22 last week at USF. Louisville has played well all season at home, going 4-1 at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium.
ESPN2 will broadcast the game in HD to a national audience with Eric Collins and Brock Huard on the call.
The Rutgers Radio Network has pre-game coverage at 10 a.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-Louisville Series
Rutgers leads the all-time series 6-2, but the Scarlet Knights have not won at Louisville since a 41-0 shutout on Nov. 1, 1986. The series vs. the Cardinals began in 1976 with a 34-0 shutout victory by the Scarlet Knights.
In Big East play, the series is tied at two with each team winning both of their home games. In last season's 63-14 Rutgers victory, Mike Teel set a school record with 447 yards passing and seven touchdowns.
Did You Know?
Rutgers has allowed the sixth-fewest trips into the red zone nationally this season with 21 ... Nebraska leads the nation with the fewest amount of red zone drives on defense with 18 ... Rutgers ranks first in the BIG EAST and 13th nationally in third-down efficiency defense (32.8%) ... Rutgers is second in the BIG EAST and 19th nationally in fewest yards penalized per game (43.8) ... Rutgers is fifth nationally in turnovers gained (29) ... the Scarlet Knights have yielded just 15.7 first downs per game, the 11th-best figure nationally and tops in the BIG EAST ... Rutgers' opponents have averaged just 5.05 yards per punt return, the best figure in the BIG EAST and 21st in the Football Bowl Subdivision ... Tim Brown leads all active players in the nation with a career average of 19.7 yards per reception ... Teddy Dellaganna is ranked first in the BIG EAST and 17th nationally among active players with a 42.0 career average yards per punt. Dellaganna ranks first in school history with the 42.0 career average yards per punt.
Finding the End Zone Three Different Ways
Mohamed Sanu has thrown a touchdown pass, caught a touchdown pass and rushed for a touchdown in 2009. He is the first Scarlet Knight to do so since Bruce Presley turned the trifecta in 1993.
Early Wakeup Call
For the second time in school history, Rutgers will play a game that begins before 12 noon Friday at Louisville. The last time Rutgers played a game that kicked off before noon was Thanksgiving Day in 2004 vs. Connecticut. The 10 am kickoff vs. the Huskies was televised by ESPN2 as the Huskies slipped past RU, 41-35.
Second Half Defense
Rutgers has allowed a total of 35 points in the second half of play over the last seven games. Opponents have averaged just 5.0 points per game in the final 30 minutes of action over the last seven games.
Only Connecticut (14 points) has scored more than a touchdown vs. the Scarlet Knight defense in the final 30 minutes of play over the streak.
Following a Loss
Rutgers looks to go 3-0 after a loss this season with a victory Friday at Louisville. Since 2006, the Scarlet Knights are 8-5 following a loss.
Playing on a Short Week
Rutgers is 4-1 since 2006 and 4-4 overall under Greg Schiano when playing on a short week. The Scarlet Knights are 1-1 this season when playing with less than a week to prepare for an opponent. Rutgers downed Howard with four days to prepare and lost to Pittsburgh with five days of preparation time.
Block Party
Rutgers has blocked six kicks in 2009, which ties the most blocks in a season during the nine-year Greg Schiano era. Three other Schiano coached teams at Rutgers also blocked six kicks in a season.
Devin McCourty leads Rutgers and the Big East with three blocked kicks on the season. Joe Lefeged is second on the squad with two blocks - a blocked field goal and punt - at Syracuse.
Blocked Kicks in a Season
2009 — 6
2008 — 4
2007 —3
2006 —5
2005 —6
2004 —5
2003 —6
2002 —6
2001 —1
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. He is second nationally in winning percentage as a starter, trailing only USC's Matt Barkley (7-2).
Savage ranks first nationally among all true freshmen quarterbacks in touchdown to interception ratio: 5:2.
Savage is also Rutgers' single-season record holder for a true freshman quarterback in the following categories:
- Winning percentage as starter: 6-2 (.750)
- Wins as a starter: 6
- Touchdown passes: 10
- Passing Yards: 1,601
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 7-3.
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.
Protecting the Pigskin
Rutgers is +27 in turnover differential over its last 17 games (14-3). The Scarlet Knights have gained 29 turnovers this season, including at least one in nine of the 10 games.
Rutgers leads the nation in turnover differential (1.90).
In 2009, Rutgers is +19 in turnover differential (29 turnovers, 10 giveaways).
Over the last 17 games, Rutgers has gained a total of 46 turnovers.
14-3
Rutgers has won 14 of its last 17 games, dating back to the 2008 season. The Scarlet Knights are 6-1 on the road during the streak.
Over the last 17 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.
