Blogs > Rutgers Rundown

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

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Quentin Gause sees modest uptick as Rutgers' run 'D' struggles

(AP photo)
By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

PISCATAWAY — Two-plus weeks ago, Quentin Gause was third on the team in tackles and led Rutgers' linebackers with five tackles for loss.

After consecutive losses to Ohio State and Nebraska in which Rutgers' numbers against the run plummeted, few players have seen a dramatic uptick in game-changing plays, though Gause is now No. 2 in tackles behind Steve Longa.
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Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Big Ten running backs Corey Clement, Paul James share Glassboro bond

A photo posted by Paul James (@pjaayyy) on

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

PISCATAWAY — After arriving in a deep Wisconsin backfield, Corey Clement didn't mind the wait behind future pro James White and Heisman contender Melvin Gordon.

He had already built up that tolerance from playing side by side with Rutgers running back Paul James for two seasons at Glassboro High.
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Monday, October 27, 2014

By the numbers: Rutgers puts Chris Laviano in high-percentage looks at Nebraska

(AP photo)
By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

PISCATAWAY — On 25 second-half plays in Saturday's loss at Nebraska, Rutgers' offensive staff made a concerted effort to put backup quarterback Chris Laviano in comfortable situations.
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Rutgers' Chris Laviano the latest in Long Island quarterbacks with Ralph Friedgen

(AP photo)
By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

Rutgers' quarterback-in-training hopes to be the third Long Island protege of Ralph Friedgen to one day play in the NFL.

His first real chance to bulk his body of work could come as soon as Saturday.
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Sunday, October 26, 2014

Kyle Flood: Nothing new on injured Rutgers quarterback Gary Nova

(AP photo)
By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

Head coach Kyle Flood offered no update Sunday besides receiving a "positive report" on injured quarterback Gary Nova, who suffered a blow to his right knee a day earlier at No. 16 Nebraska.
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Thursday, October 23, 2014

Nebraska's recruiting ties to New Jersey run deep with two southern sons

Nebraska's Irving Fryar, a Mount Holly 
native. (AP photo)
By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

A question posed to Nebraska coach Bo Pelini during Tuesday's Big Ten teleconference puzzled me, and also got me to thinking.

"Coach, does Nebraska really extend its recruiting footprint now that a Big Ten team (Rutgers) is in that region of the country?"
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Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Report: Rutgers receiver Ruhann Peele arrested for simple assault

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

PISCATAWAY — Rutgers wide receiver Ruhann Peele was arrested in late August and charged with simple assault, according to a report by NJ.com.

Peele has not appeared on the field with the team since suffering an upper-body injury during training camp. His timetable to return is unknown.
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Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Rutgers backup quarterback Chris Laviano adds to small body of work

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

PISCATAWAY — It didn't happen under the circumstances he favored, but Rutgers backup quarterback Chris Laviano appeared in his second career game in Saturday's loss at No. 13 Ohio State.
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VIDEO: Rutgers AD Julie Hermann reflects on return to Nebraska, talks Kyle Flood

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

PISCATAWAY — Rutgers AD Julie Hermann met the media Tuesday to discuss the football team's trip to her native Nebraska, where she is also an alumna and volleyball letterwinner.

She is also encouraged by head coach Kyle Flood's 5-2 start.
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Monday, October 20, 2014

By the numbers: Rutgers' Andre Patton's role finally grows at Ohio State

(AP photo)
By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

PISCATAWAY — Lost in Saturday's 56-17 loss to No. 13 Ohio State was the subtle return of sophomore Andre Patton to a normal diet at wide receiver.

Relegated to Rutgers' run-heavy packages after returning from an upper-body injury that cost him the first four games, Patton played a season-high 36 snaps Saturday, second most at receiver to Leonte Carroo.
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Rutgers linebacker TJ Taylor's learning curve evens out in Big Ten

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

PISCATAWAY — Playing time hasn't come quickly for  TJ Taylor, who's backing up two-year starter Steve Longa, but the former safety is taking solace in instinctively playing like a WILL linebacker.

And the sophomore remains ready in case he's forced into action as the Big Ten season wears on.
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Thursday, October 16, 2014

Rutgers linebacker Steve Longa says he's satisfied with numbers

(For The Trentonian — John Blaine) 
By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

PISCATAWAY — The top of Rutgers' defensive stat sheet reads like you'd expect, with usual suspect Steve Longa leading the team in tackles.

But Rutgers' freshman All-America in 2013 is on pace to finish with two-thirds of his 123-tackle total from a year ago and has only 2.5 tackles for loss (two are sacks) midway through the season.
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In half a year, Andrew Turzilli goes from Kansas backup to Big Ten

(AP photo)
By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

PISCATAWAY — When Andrew Turzilli finally decided he would transfer from Kansas, it set in motion a six-month process that eventually landed him into the second-most snaps as Rutgers' No. 2 receiver.

But in mid-April — late by transfer standards — Turzilli a soon-to-be fifth-year senior, was still saddled on the second team of a program that has historically been among the worst in the power conferences.
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Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Quotable: Ohio State's Urban Meyer on Greg Schiano, Rutgers defense, more

(AP photo)
By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

PISCATAWAY — Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer held his weekly Big Ten conference call Tuesday to preview Rutgers' game Saturday in Columbus, Ohio.

Here's part of Meyer's transcript, from his relationship with Greg Schiano to Rutgers' special teams work to game-planning for Kemoko Turay.
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VIDEO: Rutgers' Dorian Miller, Chris Muller could start at Ohio State

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

PISCATAWAY — With center Betim Bujari questionable with a lower-body injury, Rutgers could see a shakeup along its offensive line when it visits No. 13 Ohio State on Saturday.

Head coach Kyle Flood said the finer details of the position add more responsibilities for a potential fill-in, either right guard Chris Muller or backup Derrick Nelson.
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Friday, October 10, 2014

Rutgers' Quanzell Lambert plays both end spots against Michigan


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

PISCATAWAY — In an effort to stabilize Rutgers' defensive line rotation, rush end Quanzell Lambert has doubled at the traditional end position the last two weeks.

Lambert was part of a three-man rotation at end against Michigan with starter Dwjany Mera and Julian Pinnix-Odrick. Mera (lower body) was listed as probable that week.
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Thursday, October 9, 2014

Despite down numbers, Rutgers' Tyler Kroft's Big Ten targets rise

(AP photo)
By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

PISCATAWAY — While Tyler Kroft's numbers are down across the board from last year, the junior tight end is at least saving his biggest days for Rutgers' Big Ten opponents.

Against Michigan, Kroft saw six targets (third on the team), his second most this season behind his seven against Penn State.
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Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Rutgers' Johnathan Aiken: 'I was screaming at the television' against Michigan

(AP photo)
By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

PISCATAWAY — Sitting in Rutgers' locker room with a one-half suspension following an ejection for targeting a week earlier, safety Johnathan Aiken was writing down notes before entering during the second half Saturday against Michigan.

That's when he actually remained under control.
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Quick hits from Tuesday's Rutgers football practice, bye week

(AP photo)
By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

PISCATAWAY — Here are some quick hits from Tuesday's practice, the first from Rutgers' bye week after Saturday's victory against Michigan:
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Monday, October 6, 2014

By the numbers: Rutgers' offense against Michigan does 180-degree turn

(AP photo)
By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

PISCATAWAY — Saturday's 26-24 victory against Michigan was yet another reminder that Rutgers will mold its game plan based on the opposing defense.
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Sunday, October 5, 2014

Inside Rutgers' game-winning blocked kick against Michigan

(AP photo)
By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

PISCATAWAY — Before Kemoko Turay could make the game-saving play that preserved Rutgers' first Big Ten victory against Michigan, Rutgers' coaching staff had to settle on a field goal block formation.

It chose "house", an alignment that pitted 6-foot-6 Turay and Carlton Agudosi two yards in front of the line of scrimmage with everyone else on the ball.
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Saturday, October 4, 2014

Rutgers linebacker LJ Liston gets ready for Michigan homecoming

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

LJ Liston recorded four tackles last week in his first career start, but odds are he's been eyeing tonight's game against Michigan far longer.
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Thursday, October 2, 2014

AUDIO: Rutgers' Darius Hamilton, TJ Taylor speak before playing Michigan

(AP photo)
By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

PISCATAWAY — Rutgers is nearly 48 hours from its second Big Ten game, this one another home night game against Michigan.

Defensive tackle Darius Hamilton expects a dangerous team after the disarray that hit Ann Arbor in the wake of the mishandling of quarterback Shane Morris's injury.
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Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Missing links: Rutgers-Michigan podcast, plus today's football stories

(AP photo)
I chatted today with Bleacher Report Michigan beat writer Adam Biggers and Sports in the Mitten about Saturday's Rutgers home game against the Wolverines (starts at 21:30 mark).
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