SMU head coach June Jones, who has also coached in the NFL and USFL, says the Mustangs' matchup with Rutgers features two noticeably different systems. (AP Photo)

By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

Rutgers' first conference game in the American couldn't be more appropriate: an opponent with so few ties to the Northeast its last result against a team from the region was in 1989.
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By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

Cornerback Gareef Glashen will miss the next two games because of personal reasons, leaving Rutgers with only four scholarship corners with experience this week against SMU.
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Brandon Coleman's four catches are his least production in a three-game span since he became a full-time starter a year ago. (AP Photo)

By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

Quint Kessenich, an ESPN sideline reporter, touched on a conversation he shared with Razorbacks defensive coordinator Chris Ash last Saturday about Rutgers' Brandon Coleman during the teams' 3:30 p.m. telecast.
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By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

PISCATAWAY — That wide stance Gary Nova has under center, one where his right foot is planted and his left dropped noticeably back? It's called a staggered stance, and Rutgers' junior quarterback uses it on purpose.
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By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

In his first public appearance since suffering a lower-leg injury Saturday against Arkansas, Paul James said Thursday that team doctors will reevaluate him after the team's second bye week.
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By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

Savon Huggins said Wednesday he is still more comfortable in a zone running scheme as Rutgers gradually shifts into more gap running concepts.
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In Rutgers' three games against FBS opponents, Savon Huggins, pictured, is averaging 3 yards less after contact than starter Paul James. (AP Photo) 

By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

With Paul James out until at least after Rutgers' Oct. 10 matchup at No. 7 Louisville, the Scarlet Knights aren't only losing the nation's second-leading rusher. They're also saying goodbye to yardage they haven't had to account for.
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Brandon Coleman hauls in a late pass Saturday from Gary Nova. Coordinator Ron Prince's run-pass ratio against Arkansas was 41-to-59. (AP Photo)

By Tyler Barto

Twitter: @Tyler_Barto

tbarto@trentonian.com

Outside of Rutgers' opener Aug. 29 at Fresno State, Saturday was the best opportunity to gauge coordinator Ron Prince as a play caller. 

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Paul James left Saturday's game against Arkansas in the second half and did not return. (AP Photo)

By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

Head coach Kyle Flood said Paul James suffered a lower-leg injury Saturday against Arkansas and will be out at least through Oct. 10 at Louisville.
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Gary Nova's fourth-and-12 touchdown to Leonte Carroo on Saturday was his second this season on fourth down. (AP Photo)

By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

PISCATAWAY — Gary Nova's fourth-and-12 touchdown to Leonte Carroo against Arkansas on Saturday was his second to Carroo this season on fourth down.

Nova said Saturday that Rutgers tried to exploit the matchup earlier in the game, and offensive coordinator Ron Prince tried it again with Rutgers trailing, 24-14, with 10 minutes left.
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By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

With linebacker Jamal Merrell out until at least Rutgers' Oct. 5 game at SMU, Kevin Snyder will remain a busy man. 
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Head coach Kyle Flood said he leaves an availability decision on quarterback Gary Nova to Rutgers' medical personnel. (AP Photo)

By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

Jamil Merrell estimates he played 10-12 snaps Saturday against Eastern Michigan, his first game of the season. Merrell suffered a foot injury Aug. 10 in the team's first scrimmage.
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Arkansas' Brett Bielema (AP Photo)

By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

Arkansas head coach Bret Bielema held his weekly SEC conference call Wednesday in anticipation of Rutgers' first game at home against an SEC opponent.

Our story for print is linked, but here's part of Bielema's transcript:
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A kidney injury kept Jamal Merrell, right, from attending Saturday's game against Eastern Michigan. Twin brother Jamil Merrell talked to him Sunday night. (AP Photo)

By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

A mysterious kidney injury sidelined Jamal Merrell in Rutgers' game Saturday against Eastern Michigan, but twin brother Jamil Merrell said Monday his condition is improving.
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By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

Head coach Kyle Flood said Sunday that the team's best players will play special teams, regardless of position. Paul James, Rutgers' most indispensable piece with quarterback Gary Nova concussed, is no exception.
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Kyle Flood's defense enjoyed its best pass rush in nearly two years Saturday against Eastern Michigan, but lingering tackling issues remain. (AP Photo)

By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

Jamil Merrell admits he was sore following Saturday's game against Eastern Michigan, but it was one of few residual effects of his presence that were negative.
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By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

Despite leading the nation in rushing yards, Paul James will likely remain on special teams, head coach Kyle Flood said Sunday.
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By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

Ruhann Peele is two games in to his first college season. He has proven a quick study.

Part 1

Ruhann Peele lined up in the slot, ran a quick slant pattern and suddenly found himself inside the end zone. The redshirt freshman's first career touchdown came as quick as the 8-yard route Peele drew up.
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Davon Jacobs (29) is a former defensive back playing linebacker in Rutgers' 30 package. It has been vulnerable to long runs up the middle. (AP Photo)

By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

David Milewski has endured three operations in Piscataway. Rutgers' staff could now ask him to drop surgically repaired knees coverage in certain sets.
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By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

Head coach Kyle Flood said Wednesday he gives Rutgers' coordinators flexibility within the overall framework of the program.
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Rutgers' defense hasn't relied solely on redshirt freshman Steve Longa to identify personnel and make defensive calls. (AP Photo)

By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

Defensive coordinator Dave Cohen cautioned against lofty comparisons for Steve Longa during the team's Aug. 10 media day, saying, "He's not going to be Steve Beauharnais his first game. That was a work of art for four years."
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By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

When Kaleb Johnson talks about Rutgers' rushing success through two games, he can't help but think back to 2011. 
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Isaac Holmes (72) and the Rutgers' defensive line have adopted a weekly evaluation of toughness through index cards. (AP Photo)

By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

A training camp idea has morphed into a defensive line mantra.

With inspiration from Lil' Wayne, Marcus Thompson schemed to make sure Rutgers' front four maintained toughness throughout the season. 
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Kyle Flood said Monday that cornerback Lew Toler could impact Rutgers' game plan with his evaluation of Eastern Michigan's personnel. (Tyler Barto/ file photo) 

By Tyler Barto

Twitter: @Tyler_Barto

tbarto@trentonian.com

PISCATAWAY — Head coach Kyle Flood said Monday that Rutgers' defensive coaches will likely ask Lew Toler about Eastern Michigan's personnel but little else for Saturday's game.

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Paul James and the running game factored heavily into Rutgers' Week 2 gameplan. (Tyler Barto)

By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

As details of Rutgers' offensive coordinator search emerged in late-January, Kyle Flood held several constants. One of them, he said, would be that his second play-caller in as many years would build his offense around the team's playmakers.
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Bishop McNamara's field, now named after NFL alum Tyoka Jackson, served as the site of an important 2009 meeting between Brandon Coleman's Mustangs and Lorenzo Waters' DeMatha. (Tyler Barto)

By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

Part 1 — Part 2

FORESTVILLE, Md. — The only play Brandon Coleman remembers is the one he most wants to forget.
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Bryce Bevill, now in student-athlete development at Maryland, was Brandon Coleman's coach at Bishop McNamara. When Coleman mulls the NFL, Bevill will be involved. (Tyler Barto)

By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

Part 1 — Part 3

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — The remnants of Coleman’s legend are now rooted in a small corner office at Maryland’s football facility in College Park.
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Brandon Coleman (17) and Lorenzo Waters, both Rutgers starters, grew up minutes from each other in Accokeek, Md. (AP Photo)

By Tyler Barto

Twitter: @Tyler_Barto

tbarto@trentonian.com

Part 2 — Part 3

FORESTVILLE, Md.  — Indian Head Highway stretches for 20 miles along Maryland’s southern border, hugging the Potomac River to its left.

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Linebacker Jamal Merrell says the pass-coverage role he played at Fresno State will remain throughout the season. (AP Photo)

By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

Jamal Merrell says the pass-coverage role he adopted Aug. 29 at Fresno State is here to stay.

The fifth-year senior often lined up outside the far hash mark, serving as a de-facto nickel cornerback. While most teams will not stretch the line of scrimmage as much as Fresno State, Merrell expects a similar game plan from coordinator Dave Cohen.
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By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

TERMINOLOGY TALK

As part of an ongoing series, The Trentonian will take an in-depth look into certain concepts with Rutgers' schemes and explain them through the eyes of the players.

Part 4 focuses on the reads required of quarterback Gary Nova in Ron Prince's offense.
Nova on Rutgers' read philosophies:
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By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

Paul James didn't know where to sit Monday morning, his first meeting with the media during a typical luncheon setup at the team's Hale Center facility.

It won't take him long to remember if he can duplicate his 22-carry, 182-yard stat line.
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Teddy Bridgewater and Louisville put the conference on notice with a dominant win Sunday against Ohio. (AP Photo)

By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

In case you missed it, a recap of what happened around the American this weekend:
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A lower-body injury sidelined Jamil Merrell in Rutgers' Week 1 loss at Fresno State. (Tyler Barto)

By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

Kyle Flood's weekly injury report lists Jamil Merrell's status (foot) for Saturday's home opener against Norfolk State as a game-time decision.
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