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RUTGERS FOOTBALL BOWL GUIDE True Freshmen in 2011 In 2011, 10 true freshmen have seen the field for the Scarlet Knights. The lone starters of the group have been right tackle Kaleb Johnson and quarterback Gary Nova. DB Johnathan Aiken DT Kenneth Kirksey RB Savon Huggins QB Gary Nova DE Myles Jackson WR Miles Shuler OT Kaleb Johnson LB Kevin Snyder CB Tejay Johnson DT Daryl Stephenson Under Pressure Rutgers has put the pressure on the opposition in 2011 as the Scarlet Knights rank tied for 17th nationally in sacks per game (2.7) and tied for 16th in tacklesfor-loss per game (7.3). Rutgers set a season-high with nine sacks in the seasonopener vs. North Carolina Central. Pressure a Calling Card of a Schiano Defense Greg Schiano called the defensive plays for Rutgers from 2005-07 and in 2011. One constant from each of those seasons has been RU’s ability to generate tackles behind the line of scrimmage and sacks. Below is a breakdown of RU’s per game averages of TFLs and sacks along with the national ranking in each category. Year 2011 2007 2006 2005
Sacks per game (Rank) 2.7 (T-17) 3.15 (12) 3.15 (5) 3.83 (T-2)
TFLs per game (Rank) 7.3 (T-16) 7.23 (T-20) 7.92 (T-5) 8.92 (5)
First State’s Finest Duron Harmon is one of four Delaware natives in the starting lineup for Rutgers in 2011 and is having a terrific season. In his first year as a starter, Harmon leads RU with five interceptions - which places him in a tie for 11th nationally and second in the BIG EAST. Harmon’s fifth INT of the season came during USF’s first possession of overtime. On the ensuing possession for RU, San San Te drilled a game-winning 37-yard field goal. Tough to Score in the Red Zone Rutgers is tied for fourth nationally in red zone defense in 2011. The Scarlet Knights have yielded 27 scores in 39 opportunities, including just 18 touchdowns.
NCAA Red Zone Defensive Leaders School Red Zone Drives Red Zone Scores TDs Allowed 1. Alabama 17 10 6 2. Houston 48 32 28 3. Virginia Tech 37 25 20 4. Rutgers 39 27 18 Michigan 35 24 20
Score Pct. 59.0 67.0 68.0 69.0 69.0
Defense Wins Championships Rutgers leads the BIG EAST in six defensive categories and ranks in the top 20 in eight different national defensive statistics. The Scarlet Knights lead the BIG EAST in total defense, pass defense, scoring defense, pass efficiency defense, red zone defense and opponent first downs. Nationally, the RU defense ranks 13th in total defense, sixth in pass efficiency defense, 12th in scoring defense, 10th in pass defense, tied for 17th in sacks, tied for 16th in tackles-for-loss, tied for fourth in red zone defense and fourth in first downs allowed. Man in the Middle Steve Beauharnais has been the quarterback of the nation’s ninth-best scoring defense. Now in his second season as the starter at middle linebacker, Beauharnais is second on the team in tackles (71) and sacks (5.0). He is tied for fourth in the BIG EAST with 1.3 tackles-for-loss per game. Finishing with a Winning BIG EAST Record With the 20-3 victory over Cincinnati, Rutgers clinched its fifth winning record in 21 seasons of BIG EAST play. Four of the five winning seasons have come during the Greg Schiano era in Piscataway. Winning Seasons in BIG EAST Play Season Record (Conference Finish) 1992 4-2 (Third) 2005 4-2 (Third) 2006 5-2 (T-Second) 2008 5-2 (T-Second) 2011 4-3 (T-Fourth)
Head Coach Doug Graber Greg Schiano Greg Schiano Greg Schiano Greg Schiano