PISCATAWAY — Here's some early reaction to Rutgers' second-to-last practice before leaving for Seattle on Tuesday: 

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By Tyler Barto

Twitter: @Tyler_Barto

tbarto@trentonian.com

PISCATAWAY — Logan Lister calls Texas "everybody territory", but until his commitment any idea of a recruiting footprint for Rutgers in the Lone Star State was foreign.

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A Tuesday report from the Detroit Free Press says new Detroit Lions head coach Jim Caldwell, pictured, could hire Rutgers offensive coordinator Ron Prince. (AP file photo)

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

Rutgers offensive coordinator Ron Prince could be in line to join new head coach Jim Caldwell's staff with the Detroit Lions, according to the Detroit Free Press.
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By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

Kyle Flood said Sunday that Rutgers isn't equipped right now to run the ball effectively within a traditional offense. It led to Rutgers using the most zone-read principles to date Saturday in a 28-17 loss at Connecticut.
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By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

EAST HARTFORD, Conn. — Chas Dodd said Saturday he's most comfortable out of the shotgun, and that's probably why 60 of Rutgers' 67 plays in a 28-17 loss at Connecticut came out of the formation.
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Quarterback Gary Nova's completion percentage dipped this season to 57.2 percent with sub-50 percent efforts in two of Rutgers' last three outings. (AP photo)

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

Lost in Rutgers' 52-17 loss Saturday to Cincinnati was an offense that again failed to find its footing.
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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

Head coach Kyle Flood said Wednesday he gives Rutgers' coordinators flexibility within the overall framework of the program.
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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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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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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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Ten of Gary Nova's 41 pass attempts Thursday night left his hand in less than two seconds. Coordinator Ron Prince's offense has been based around quick reads, Nova said. (Tyler Barto)

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

Gary Nova recorded 41 pass attempts against Fresno State, the fourth most of his career. I timed how long each throw took from the snap to release.

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