newjerseynewsroom.com

BY MIKE VORKUNOV

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

RUTGERS NOTEBOOK

Exactly 16 months after Tom Savage committed to Rutgers, he received his first opportunity to don the uniform in live competition. Well at least, the red practice uniforms. And what has he been waiting so eagerly for all these days.

"I just wanted to feel what it felt like to be hit by a Division-1 player," Savage said after Rutgers' first scrimmage of the pre-season. "I got that out of the way early."

On his very first play, halfway through the scrimmage, Savage tried rolling away from pressure and ended up being sacked by Antwan Lowery.

Not the best way to start a game, but Savage didn't mind.

The rest of his first drive wasn't any better though. He had to deal with two bad snaps, one over his head, and a delay of game penalty. When he did drop back to pass, Savage was 1/3 for 11 yards.

Still Savage saw benefit from a less than perfect first time out.

"I think it just got the jitters out of everyone," Savage said. "And it makes a great learning experience because adversity is going to come in the game and you just keep going, keep learning."

Leading four drives Savage finished the scrimmage 6/12 for 77 yards and one interception.

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Savage may have been the most anticipated freshman to play, but De'Antwan Williams was the most impressive.

The running back from Woodbridge, Va. didn't get his first carry until the eighth drive, then made a rousing first impression. He broke off four and six yard runs to help get the Rutgers red team offense to the one-yard line. To end the drive he pulled off an impressive cutback and dragged a defender into the endzone.

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Rutgers named its captains for the 2009 story. To no one's surprise seniors Ryan D'Imperio, Ryan Blaszczyk and Devin McCourty received the honors.

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Tony Trahan made the play of the scrimmage. The walk-on freshman from Texas caught a pass from Savage in traffic, while holding off one defender. The play resulted in a 25-yard gain.

After the scrimmage even Savage was impressed by what he was a part of.

"He was just open and I threw it out in front of him and he just made a great catch," Savage said.

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In the dog days of summer morning practices are sometimes welcome because it's a good chance to beat the sweltering heat. Well no such luck Tuesday for Rutgers.

When the scrimmage began it was 94 degrees, but it got as high as 103. The humidity ranged from 68-75 percent according to coach Greg Schiano.

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Wide receiver Julian Hayes was the most productive offensive player. He caught four balls for 102 yards, three from Jabu Lovelace. Twice he made plays that resulted in over 30 yards.

"Julian is getting better," Schiano said. "Consistency is going to be the key."

Lovelace was impressed by Hayes' ubiquity.

"He was all over the field," Lovelace said.

Follow Mike Vorkunov on Twitter for more Rutgers football news at Mike_Vorkunov

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