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Devoted to the daily goings on with Rutgers football, both at High Point Solutions Stadium and behind the scenes.

Thursday, October 31, 2013

In-depth look at Rutgers' David Milewski's new role at defensive tackle



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

Despite watching over a defense that allowed 211 rushing yards last week against Houston, head coach Kyle Flood delivered lofty praise Wednesday for junior defensive end David Milewski.

"The ability to play all four (defensive line positions) is unique, but if anybody can do it David can," Flood said inside the team's media center. "He’s proven already that he deserves the opportunity."
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Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Rutgers' Gary Nova, Chas Dodd could split reps against Temple



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

PISCATAWAY — Rutgers head coach Kyle Flood said Wednesday he could envision both Gary Nova and Chas Dodd splitting reps at quarterback Saturday against Temple.

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Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Rutgers' Chas Dodd, Gary Nova face quarterback decision again as Temple nears



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

It took a season and a half, but Rutgers has mustered up a quarterback competition again between Gary Nova and backup Chas Dodd. Nova's three-interception performance Saturday against Houston was a driving force, but a culture of instability at the position is a culprit, as well.
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Sunday, October 27, 2013

Rutgers defensive issues take hit again with Nadir Barnwell's suspension



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

Nadir Barnwell's one-game suspension for violation of team rules Sunday leaves Rutgers with only two cornerbacks who have played significantly this season.

In less than three weeks, the Scarlet Knights have lost four defensive backs.
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Saturday, October 26, 2013

Lorenzo Waters' high-ankle sprain against Houston adds to Rutgers' injuries, adjustments



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

PISCATAWAY — Neither Kyle Flood nor Jamil Merrell wanted to use injuries as an excuse for Rutgers' 49-14 loss Saturday to Houston, but its depleted defense is hard to ignore.

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Friday, October 25, 2013

Rutgers' Pennsylvania players sound off on 2013 production


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

Tyler Kroft started talking about his affinity for Pennsylvania high school football Monday as fullback Michael Burton, from Long Valley, N.J., interrupts.

"P.A.?" Burton asks, before jokingly dismissing Kroft's claim.
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Thursday, October 24, 2013

Max Issaka's return from injury could alter Rutgers' defensive line outlook

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

Max Issaka practiced fully this week, leaving open the possibility the sophomore defensive end makes his first appearance of the season Saturday against Houston.

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Tuesday, October 22, 2013

VIDEO: Rutgers' Gareef Glashen, Kyle Flood anticipate Glashen's return

Gareef Glashen hasn't played in a football game in nearly a month, but the junior cornerback will likely be called upon extensively Saturday against Houston. That's how dire Rutgers' secondary complexion is right now.

You can find Wednesday's Trentonian story on Glashen and Rutgers' pass defense linked, but here's some additional video from after Tuesday's practice:
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Terminology Talk: Rutgers' Isaac Holmes breaks down "tilted" nose tackle



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 7 focuses on the assignments and schemes of Rutgers' "tilted" nose tackle.
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Monday, October 21, 2013

Knowledge in new system keys Tyler Kroft, Rutgers' mutually beneficial relationship


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

Rutgers' Tyler Kroft has 13 receptions for 215 yards and three touchdowns in the Scarlet Knights' last three games. For context, those numbers are nearly better than any equivalent stat by a Rutgers tight end in the last four seasons.
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While immediate future is unknown, Rutgers' Kyle Flood expects Paul James back in 2013

Paul James should play again this season but not necessarily Nov. 2 against Temple, head coach Kyle Flood said Monday. (AP photo)

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

PISCATAWAY — Head coach Kyle Flood said Monday that he is "confident" running back Paul James will be back at some point this season.

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Thursday, October 17, 2013

Newcomer at corner, Rutgers' Delon Stephenson could be next up



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

Less than a week ago, Delon Stephenson was a backup safety whose prospects at seeing time at cornerback were slim at best. After losing two players in five days, he could be Rutgers' best answer at filling out a rotation.

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T.J. Taylor adjusts as Rutgers adopts new model, inspired by Khaseem Greene



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

T.J. Taylor took trips in middle school to watch his cousin, Syam Rhodes, play football at Elizabeth High School. He'll attempt to make a transition seven years later that Rhodes' teammate nearly perfected in Piscataway.
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Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Rutgers' Julian Pinnix-Odrick receives advice from half brother, Dolphins' Jared Odrick



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

PISCATAWAY — As Julian Pinnix-Odrick sat in a doctor's office in the spring after tearing his ACL, he knew whom he would text first when he found out the official result.
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With high sack total, Rutgers' offensive line takes on more responsibility

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

Despite — or perhaps resulting from — Rutgers' 118th sacks allowed ranking, offensive coordinator Ron Prince has asked the Scarlet Knights' offensive line to pass protect more without help from backs or tight ends, guard Antwan Lowery said Tuesday.

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Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Ian Thomas leaves Rutgers for baseball, spreads corner depth thin



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

PISCATAWAY — Head coach Kyle Flood announced Tuesday that starting cornerback Ian Thomas has left the program to pursue a career in baseball. Flood didn't get the sense that Thomas would try to play baseball at Rutgers.

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Saturday, October 12, 2013

Previous recruiting targets affect Rutgers' current cornerback situation

Kyle Flood is dealing with a makeshift cornerback rotation, one that could've looked different based on past recruiting efforts. (AP photo)

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

Despite the presence of three players 19 years old or younger in Rutgers' cornerback rotation, head coach Kyle Flood said Thursday expectations for the group wouldn't change.
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Friday, October 11, 2013

Breaking down of Rutgers' offensive scheme in full against Louisville

Rutgers' offense featured repetitive formations and personnel groupings Thursday at Louisville, which held Rutgers to 58 plays outside of its final drive. (AP photo)

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

In terms of yardage, point production and pass protection — heck, using any metric — Rutgers' 24-10 loss Thursday night to No. 8 Louisville was its worst offensive outing of the season.
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Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Rutgers' Tejay Johnson comes full circle in second impactful meeting with Louisville



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

Tejay Johnson sounds like a football purist Tuesday after Rutgers' practice inside its team bubble. The sophomore safety almost sounds like he's lamenting the changing tides of the college football landscape toward spread offense.

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Despite Louisville's Teddy Bridgewater's poise, Rutgers won't divert from defensive philosophy



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

Head coach Kyle Flood said Monday that playing against Louisville's Teddy Bridgewater, one of the nation's most efficient quarterbacks, won't alter Rutgers' plan to force the No. 8 Cardinals into passing situations.
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Sunday, October 6, 2013

Gary Nova, Rutgers' offense show most wrinkles to date leading up to Louisville

Gary Nova threw for 283 yards, four touchdowns and one interception Saturday at SMU. His performance has given coordinator Ron Prince flexibility. (AP file photo)

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

Can you imagine Rutgers' old regime running only four plays out of a base I-formation? That's what the Scarlet Knights did Saturday at SMU, and it'll likely continue Thursday at Louisville, which is 18th in total offense nationally.
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Friday, October 4, 2013

Return of SMU running back Traylon Shead adds wrinkle to Rutgers preparation

SMU's Traylon Shead in a Texas Class 1A state title game at Cayuga High School. Shead will likely appear against Rutgers on Saturday, his first game since the season opener. (AP Photo)

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

When Rutgers lines up against SMU's offense Saturday, the Mustangs' primary rusher could be someone the Scarlet Knights' have few highlights of.

Junior Traylon Shead was cleared Tuesday after suffering knee and ankle injuries in SMU's season opener, according to The Dallas Morning News.
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Thursday, October 3, 2013

With deteriorating depth inside, Rutgers could turn to David Milewski at tackle

Head coach Kyle Flood, right, will oversee a shallow interior defensive line Saturday at SMU. David Milewski could see time at defensive tackle. (AP Photo)

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

Don't be surprised to see David Milewski, a 250-pound former linebacker, line up along the interior defensive line Saturday at SMU.
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Tuesday, October 1, 2013

SMU offense could be forced to adapt against Rutgers pass rush

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

Head coach Kyle Flood has said that as long as Rutgers' pass rush forces opposing offenses to get rid of the ball more quickly, then it has had an effect — no matter its sack total. 

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Quotable: SMU's June Jones talks Garrett Gilbert, Rutgers and NCAA firings

SMU head coach June Jones, right, says quarterback Garrett Gilbert, ninth nationally in yards per game, is growing more comfortable with Jones' run-and-shoot offense. (AP Photo)

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

June Jones, SMU's head coach and Rutgers' next opponent, spoke Monday on the American conference call. You can access the story linked, but here's what Jones said that didn't make the cut:
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