(AP photo)

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

Before I get to the hard numbers, some notes from Rutgers' third game of the season:

-Offensive coordinator Ralph Friedgen expanded the use of a shotgun formation with tight end Tyler Kroft flexed out as a receiver. On several occasions, Rutgers ran a zone-read play where quarterback Gary Nova scanned the front before dumping off to Kroft sitting in the zone.

-When Rutgers has a big drive, Friedgen will turn to run-based formations. Example: On Rutgers' only touchdown drive against Penn State, Rutgers ran some form of the I-formation on six of 10 plays. When it tried to hold off Penn State one last time? Four of five plays from the I.

Offense notes from Friedgen's debut at Washington State

-For the first time, Rutgers showcased an empty set debuting a package with Michael Burton, Leonte Carroo, Paul James, John Tsimis and Andrew Turzilli. The result? An interception.

Now to Rutgers' unofficial formation count against Penn State:

-I-formation: 15 plays
-shotgun with 11 personnel: 12 plays
-off-I formation: nine plays
-shotgun with 11 personnel, Kroft flexed: eight plays
-11 personnel: six plays
-trips with base personnel: four plays
-12 personnel: two plays
-shotgun with 20 personnel: two plays
-shotgun empty: one play
-trips: one play

Rutgers' unofficial snap chart for skill-position players:

Player	Carroo	Kroft	James	Tsimis	Burton	Grant	Turzilli	Peoples	Flanagan
Snaps	61	58	45	34	32	29	28	16	2

And last, Rutgers' unofficial target chart in the passing game:

Player	Carroo	Kroft	Grant	James	Tsimis	Burton
Targets	11	7	4	3	3	1