(AP)

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

PISCATAWAY — On Friday, I reviewed the most pressing issues facing Rutgers' offense this spring and into its Big Ten encore. Now let's look at some defensive questions.
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(AP photo)

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

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — On the game-defining drive Saturday night, Maryland started with the ball at Rutgers' 45-yard line and 2:54 left.

Running back Brandon Ross rushed for a 7-yard gain on first down, then quarterback C.J. Brown kept on a zone read, bringing up a third-and-1 with Rutgers leading, 41-38.

The following are players' accounts of what happened on the final two plays and Rutgers' possession, giving Rutgers a season-ending victory and securing a bowl berth:
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(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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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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(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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Saturday night's scrimmage was a boon for Rutgers' offense, which saw two 100-yard passers and several scorers during different field periods. The countdown is on: head coach Kyle Flood said the team will start preparing Wednesday for Washington State.
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(AP photo)

Head coach Kyle Flood confirmed Wednesday what had become a foregone conclusion: quarterback Gary Nova will start a season opener the third straight season. 

After Wednesday's double session, Thursday's lone practice begins at 12:45 p.m.
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(AP photo)

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

Steve Longa finished with nearly 30 more tackles than anyone else last year at MIKE, and he already has a firm grasp of the WILL linebacker position.

Now? Rutgers' top linebacker is looking to master the entire defense.
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(Rutgers Athletics Communications)

Rutgers got its first glimpse Friday of its first-team offense in full, including receiver Leonte Carroo, who says he has no restrictions. Today's practice begins at 12:45 p.m.
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(AP photo)

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

Despite a nearly 30-tackle margin in his favor and finishing fifth in the American Athletic Conference in the stat as a redshirt freshman, Steve Longa was left off the Butkus Award preseason watch list for the nation's most outstanding linebacker.
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By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

PISCATAWAY — Rutgers' Steve Longa and Kevin Snyder officially swapped positions Tuesday, but the differences are minimal in the team's defensive framework.
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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 — Steve Longa is issuing an obvious mea culpa: he is not trying to injure his own teammates. The redshirt freshman middle linebacker has a recent habit of doing so, capped by Lorenzo Waters' high-ankle sprain Oct. 25 against Houston.
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By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

Rutgers stopped Temple and quarterback P.J. Walker, pictured, on a late fourth down Saturday. (AP photo)

PISCATAWAY — On fourth-and-inches with less than two minutes left Saturday against Temple, Rutgers' defense ran a play it hadn't shown all day.
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Rutgers' defense hasn't relied solely on redshirt freshman Steve Longa to identify personnel and make defensive calls. (AP Photo)

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

Defensive coordinator Dave Cohen cautioned against lofty comparisons for Steve Longa during the team's Aug. 10 media day, saying, "He's not going to be Steve Beauharnais his first game. That was a work of art for four years."
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Steve Longa's philosophy shift came after several blunders during a defensive meeting before a 2012 home game. (Tyler Barto)

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

Steve Longa spent the early part of the 2012 season in a trance.

Longa, eventually destined to redshirt, peered ahead and saw four more years of eligibility remaining. So when veteran Steve Beauharnais told him to enjoy every moment, Longa brushed it off.
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By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

Tuesday's practice signaled the end of Rutgers' 19-day training camp, ushering in game preparation for Fresno State in the team's Aug. 29 season opener.

The Trentonian caught up with Steve Longa, Marcus Thompson and Lorenzo Waters to re-hash their training camp memories that ranged the spectrum. The following are their stories through their own eyes.
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By Tyler Barto 
Twitter: Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

Steve Longa is staring.

He squats in a two-point stance, trying to read a developing play run during positional drills Tuesday. Three linebackers line up as a center and guards in front of him.

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Redshirt freshman Steve Longa (3) could inherit Rutgers' vacant middle linebacker spot. (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

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.

Read more »