Scouting RU: Offense

The Bulls defense will be facing a very balanced Rutgers offense that will pound the ball in the run game and will use accurate passing to move the ball and sustain drives.  The defense with Coach Cosh calling the shots will have to be at their best to get the Knights off the field and not allow them to control the clock.

The Knights return just 6 starters to the starting lineup, but lost Mohamed Sanu to the NFL draft and their coach Greg Schaino who instilled the disciplined football RU has been known for.  The Knights however and loaded and have not missed a beat. 

At the quarterback position is sophomore Gary Nova (6-2 230-pounds).  Nova, winning the job over junior Chas Dodd, completed 116 passes out of 227 attempts for 1553 yards including 11 touchdowns and 9 interceptions.  So far this season, Nova has completed 26 of 47 pass attempts for 288 yards, including 3 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Rutgers is really relying on their running game to get the offense moving and not putting a huge burden on Nova so far.  Nova is a smart quarterback that moves in the pocket well, but is not a major running threat and is better sitting back and delivering the ball down the field.  Chas Dodd (6-0 200-pounds) completed 139 passes out 245 attempts for 1574 yards including 10 touchdowns and 7 interceptions.  Dodd is an experienced veteran, so could come in at anytime, but does not move as well as Nova can. 

At running back is sophomore Jawan Jamison (5-8 200-pounds) that carried the ball 231 times last year for 897 yards and 9 touchdowns.  So far this season he has 28 carries for 228 yards (7.9 per carry) and one touchdown.  He is the go-to back and the defense front 4 will be seeing a lot of him (has also caught 3 passes for 66 yards so have to watch him coming out of the backfield).  Sophomore Savon Huggins (6-0 200-pounds) is behind him and carried the rock 56 times last season for 146 yards and 5 touchdowns.    He has carried 24 times for 70 yards and a touchdown.  After the game against Tulane, Huggins was a bit banged up and his status for the game against USF is questionable.  Jeremy Deering, the talented wide receiver, is moving back to running back after playing last year at wide receiver.  So far, Deering has not played a down as he recovers from an ankle sprain and could be limited in this game. At fullback is sophomore Michael Burton (6-0 230-pounds) who had 10 carries for 48 yards last season.  He has 2 carries for 9 yards this season. Behind him is sophomore Sam Bergen (6-0 235-pounds) and redshirt freshman Paul Canevari (5-11 220-pounds) who will help block for Nova and the running backs. 

At wide receiver is Brandon Coleman (6-6 220-pounds) who caught 17 passes for 552 yards and 6 touchdowns and will try to be the big replacement for Mohamed Sanu. So far this season he has 4 receptions for 89 yards and 3 touchdowns grabs.  Behind him is senior Tim Wright (6-3 220-pounds) who caught 11 passes for 147 yards and 2 touchdowns. He has 5 receptions for 46 yards. Jeremy Deering  (6-2 210-pounds) caught 4 passes for 65 yards and ran the ball 47 times for 169 yards, he is a pass catching threat even with his move back to running back).  At the over receiver position is senior Mark Harrison (6-3 235-pounds) who caught 14 passes for 274 yards and 2 touchdowns in 2011. He has 8 receptions for 38 yards. Behind him is junior Quron Pratt (6-0 180-pounds) who caught 32 passes for 327 yards and a touchdown (has 1 grab for 6 yards so far).  Behind him is sophomore Miles Shuler (5-10 170-pounds) who was featured in a few running plays last season, carrying the ball 6 times for 46 yards.  At tight end is senior D.C. Jefferson (6-6 258-pounds) who caught 12 passes for 118 yards. He has 3 for 37 yards so far this season Behind him is junior Paul Carrezola (6-2 240-pounds) who caught 4 passes for 35 yards and a touchdown last season (Carrezola has been limited to injury and may be held back for this game).  Overall, the skill players are strong, including Coleman and his size.  The USF secondary will have to be at their best and blanket the receivers, making the windows Nova can throw into small. 

On the offensive line is sophomore left tackle Kaleb Johnson (6-4 298-pounds) and behind him is junior Andre Civil (6-3 278-pounds). Civil got the start against Tulane, but was helped off the field and could be out for the game vs. USF, which is a huge blow to their line. At left guard is junior Antwan Lowery (6-4 301-pounds) with junior David Osei (6-4 290-pounds) behind him.  At center is sophomore Betim Bjari (6-4 295-pounds) with junior Dallas Hendrikson (6-2 295-pounds) behind him. Bjari was also helped off the field and according to Coach Flood, he could also be out for the game. At right guard is sophomore Taj Alexander (6-4 290-pounds) and junior Matt McBride (6-7 320-pounds) behind him.  Finally, at right tackle is senior RJ Dill (6-7 315-pounds) and senior Devon Watkins (6-7 320-pounds) behind him.  Overall, the RU line is very strong and will make pass rushing a bit hard.  With the USF speed rush, they will have to be at their best to get to Nova and get him flustered during the game.

Overall, Rutgers is still the same, running, using the line to create gaps and using the quarterback to take a few shots late in the game.  The fate of the game will be decided by the Bulls front 7 and how they can stop the run and get pressure on Nova.