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

PISCATAWAY — Show me the money.

That's the message Jim Harbaugh sent to Michigan in early December, and it paid off Monday when ESPN reported the two sides were close to a deal that would pay the San Francisco 49ers head coach near $48 million through six years.
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(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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(AP photo)

Sunday's Rutgers media day is giving way to Monday's first full scrimmage at noon at High Point Solutions Stadium. Head coach Kyle Flood will closely monitor the team's backup quarterback competition.
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Dwindling numbers at running back have coerced Desmon Peoples's progression this spring. (AP file photo)

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

Another one bites the dust.

Rutgers' injury report, released Tuesday, lists Justin Goodwin as out with a lower-body injury after he left Saturday's scrimmage prematurely.
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OFFENSE

Quarterback: Gary Nova OR Mike Bimonte/Blake Rankin/Chris Laviano/Devin Ray

Running back: Paul James (Savon Huggins injured ― shoulder)

Fullback: Michael Burton

Tight end: Tyler Kroft

Wide receiver (X position): Leonte Carroo

Wide receiver (Y position): Ruhann Peele

Offensive line (LT to RT): Keith Lumpkin, Kaleb Johnson, Betim Bujari, Chris Muller, Taj Alexander

DEFENSE

End: Djwany Mera

Nose tackle: Kenneth Kirksey

Three technique: Darius Hamilton

'R' end: Quanzell Lambert

Strongside linebacker: Quentin Gause

Middle linebacker: Kevin Snyder

Weakside linebacker: Steve Longa

Cornerbacks: Gareef Glashen, Anthony Cioffi

Strong safety: Lorenzo Waters

Free safety: Johnathan Aiken OR Delon Stephenson

INJURY REPORT

Out: Mezo Cooper (knee), Huggins (shoulder)

Limited: James (shoulder), Kroft (shoulder), Lambert (shoulder), Longa (lower body), Milewski (lower body), tight end Logan Lister (ankle), linebacker L.J. Liston (hamstring)

REACTION

Injuries to Huggins and James leave Rutgers pretty slim in the backfield, but Goodwin is plenty capable in a heavier role. ... No fifth-year transfers mean the Scarlet Knights' secondary remains largely unproven. ... There is little in the way of depth outside of Rutgers' top-three linebackers. ... One of the team's younger receivers (Carlton Agudosi, Janarion Grant, Andre Patton, etc.) must step up.

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

PISCATAWAY — The backfield Paul James returned to Wednesday looks awfully different from the one he left Sept. 21 with a lower-leg injury.

True freshman Justin Goodwin has emerged as an every-down back. Junior Savon Huggins appeared serviceable last week on passing downs. James, Rutgers' leading rusher, said he wanted to return last week against Temple, but team medical personnel had other ideas.
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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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In Rutgers' three games against FBS opponents, Savon Huggins, pictured, is averaging 3 yards less after contact than starter Paul James. (AP Photo) 

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

With Paul James out until at least after Rutgers' Oct. 10 matchup at No. 7 Louisville, the Scarlet Knights aren't only losing the nation's second-leading rusher. They're also saying goodbye to yardage they haven't had to account for.
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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

Savon Huggins hasn't taken a second-team snap during training camp, but Rutgers' unclear backfield makes for an interesting case study. Entering Saturday night's final team scrimmage, carries remain available.
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Gary Nova made quick work of his debut in Ron Prince's offense, recording only two incompletions in three different team periods in Saturday's first team scrimmage. (AP File Photo)

By Tyler Barto

Twitter: Tyler_Barto

tbarto@trentonian.com

PISCATAWAY — The few outside observers allowed inside Saturday for Rutgers’ first scrimmage saw an offense Saturday that scrapped its conservative roots.

Gary Nova handled all three of the team’s practice settings — traditional down-and-distance, red zone, two-minute drill — with ease, connecting with six different receivers.

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Savon Huggins has the undisputed starter role he's yearned for. A third offensive coordinator and new run scheme join him. (AP Photo)

By Tyler Barto
Twitter: Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

Two days remain until the start of Rutgers training camp. This top-20 countdown will run infrequently, documenting who's got the most to prove in 2013.
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Desmon Peoples' emergence coincides with a philosophy shift with how Rutgers runs the ball in 2013. (AP Photo)

By Tyler Barto
Twitter: Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

Less than a month remains until the start of Rutgers training camp. This top-20 countdown will run infrequently, documenting who's got the most to prove in 2013.
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By Tyler Barto

Twitter: @Tyler_Barto

tbarto@trentonian.com

PISCATAWAY — Armed with a stricter diet, a new run-blocking scheme and a No. 1 spot on Rutgers' depth chart, Savon Huggins spoke to the media Wednesday for the first time in nearly two months.

The Trentonian's story for print Thursday is up now, but here's more from Huggins, the state's top recruit in 2011:

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