(AP)

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

PISCATAWAY —Here are some quick hits from Monday's practice, the final one at Rutgers before the team departs for the Quick Lane Bowl in Detroit:

Head coach Kyle Flood said he will release an injury report before Tuesday's practice. Flood deferred to the report when asked last week about specific players' status.

Quarterback Gary Nova is anxious to see how the spring's quarterback competition plays out. "I know the guys in that room are very competitive," Nova said. "They're all very talented. Coach  Flood is going to have a tough decision on his hands. Whoever he picks, I'm sure they're going to do a good job."

Lorenzo Waters said he sees few freshman qualities in redshirting safety Kiy Hester, who could be his heir apparent in the secondary. "He's definitely aggressive, not only on the field but in his approach to the game," Waters said. "He's definitely grabbed me a few times, just going over certain things. I like his work ethic and I like the way he's attacked these practices." ...

Defensive tackle Darius Hamilton said North Carolina's quick pace affects how Rutgers gets adjusted at the line of scrimmage with its defensive calls. "It can cause chaos," Hamilton said. "If you're not mentally prepared or know what you're doing, it can cause chaos. The biggest thing we're going to have to do is communicate." The Tar Heels ran 919 plays this season to Rutgers' 784. ...

Rutgers understands North Carolina's coaching turnover before bowl

President Robert L. Barchi attended practice and addressed the team afterward. "I think it means a lot to our program that Dr. Barchi would take some time out of his day to come down and watch a little bit of practice," head coach Flood said. "I know as an ex-college football player he enjoys that part of it." Barchi played in college at Georgetown.