Quotables
Greg Schiano on Joe Martinek’s progress at fullback:
“Joe is good. Joe can be really good if he will let it fly. That’s one of the things that comes with experience. Joe’s smart, he gets on the right guy, Joe’s tough, he’s going to fight you to the end…Brian (Leonard) was the same way. When Brian made the move initially, he was on the right guy but didn’t explode him and then as he got more experience and more sure of himself, it was bombs away. I anticipate that happening with Joe.”
Greg Schiano on Ka’Lial Glaud playing defensive end:
“There are some things he gets himself tangled up, it’s just a matter of not having done it enough. But hopefully again this week will help him.”
Kenneth Kirksey on watching film:
“I actually like watching film, that way I can get to see how to do the right thing. (Justin) Francis, he’s a good role model to follow. He does the right thing.”
Betim Bujari on what he has come away with his year:
“I realized that if you practice hard then the games actually going to be easier. If you get a good look, if you’re playing hard in practice, the game, everyone expects it to be so much harder but it’s the same thing pretty much, maybe even a little easier.”
Gary Nova on developing as a quarterback:
“I think when I got to high school I really started to develop it when I started to learn how to play quarterback properly. After that, I just would go out and do my job.”
Fat Cat Top 5
Top 5 NJ HS prospect performances in week one
5. Nadir Barnwell (Piscataway)
4. Ricky Jeune (St. Joe’s Montvale)
3. Rashad Kinlaw (Absegami)
2. Steve Longa (Saddle Brook)
1. Khalif Herbin (Montclair)
The Numbers Game
10 rushing first downs for RU this season
9 yard average on 3 catches for D.C. Jefferson
8 former Scarlet Knights started last week in the NFL
7 Big East teams in action this weekend
6 combined catches for Rutgers RB’s and TE’s last week against UNC
5 weeks until RU hoops first practice
4 career 100-yard receiving games for Mohamed Sanu
3 Knights with 8 or more tackles last week vs. UNC (Greene, Ryan, Merrell)
2 Big East teams ranked in the AP Top 25 (WVU, USF)
1 FBS team has more TFLs than Rutgers
Bobby’s Crystal Ball
Savon Huggins will have a breakout game next week vs. Ohio
Kevin Snyder will be a starter by mid-season
Recruiting tidbits
Elijah Shumate (Don Bosco)
Rutgers remains right in the running for Bosco defensive back Elijah Shumate who continues to hold Rutgers in high regard. Part of the reason for that involves the Hafley factor as RU’s secondary coach continues to prove his worth on the recruiting front.
"Rutgers is recruiting me hard,” said Shumate. “Coach Hafley, I love Coach Hafley. I talk to him every day. Rutgers is high on my list. Hopefully I will get there to see a game before the season is over. Rutgers is definitely recruiting me hard. They will stay on my list until the end. I will definitely continue to talk to Coach Hafley."
Last week during Bosco’s 35-7 drubbing of Mission Viejo (Calif.), there were some RU representation on the Bosco sidelines. Former RU quarterback Mike Teel and current RU backup quarterback Gary Nova looked on as their alma mater maintained it’s No. 1 national ranking.
Steve Longa (Saddle Brook)
The RU commit shredded Hasbrouck Heights last week with 113 yards rushing on 8 carries and 4 touchdowns, which included a 47-yard TD reception. Longa is now up to 215 pounds and credited his off-season work ethic with his opening game domination.
“I just hard work day in and day out. I’m not taking anything lightly,” Longa said.
Longa also had 10 tackles from his linebacker position and attributed his time spent at running back to helping him pout on defense.
"It helps me a lot cause when I’m on defense I know what the running back is thinking when he runs the ball, so it makes it easier on me.”
Longa also worked on making adjustments at the linebacker position like reading his keys better and being more disciplined.
"I did but I didn’t play like i should’ve,” he noted. “I kind of went back to my old habits which is not good. I just have to keep working at it.”
Rashaad Williams (Valley Forge)
Once claiming he would end up at Rutgers, the speedy running back is spending this season prepping at Valley Forge Military Academy. In an opening season win vs. Virginia Lions, Williams scored on a 22-yard run and a 60-yard pass. Williams then eclipsed the 200-yard rushing mark in a week two loss to Loyola Blakefield. This weekend, the challenge will be just as great when Valley Forge takes on Our Lady of Good Counsel. Williams maintained that he is keeping his options open as to where he will move on to next season, presuming he gets his grades in order.
Michael Giacone (St. Peter’s Prep)
Giacone’s Prep squad had a tough opener in a week one 41-43 loss to Montclair in which he hauled in one reception.
"It was tough mainly cause we knew we could of played so much better,” he said. “But we rebound quick and its back at it this week and continue on our way to the ring."
The day after that loss, Giacone had the chance to watch his future team as Rutgers dropped its first game of the year to North Carolina.
"I think they looked good,” said Giacone. “They must clean up the little mistakes but I know coach Schiano and the rest of the staff are on it and going to keep building to a successful season"
This week, the test will be just as tough for Giacone and the Marauders when they face standout junior Ricky Jeune and St. Joe’s (Montvale).
"We got a chip on our shoulder but feeling good just got to go out and do what we do best and come out in top,” said Giacone.
Aubrey Lewis (Montclair)
Last year’s torn ACL is still keeping Lewis out of action. However, the running back could still have a promising future. He has already been offered the opportunity to walk on at Rutgers but a decision has yet to be made. Nevertheless, it is very early for such an offer.
Zayd Issah (Central Dauphin) 2013
The talented 6-foot-3, 205 pound athlete has taken a liking to Rutgers and is looking to get up for a visit some time soon and may be in attendance for the Knights’ next home game vs. Ohio on September 24th. Issah appears to be closing in on offers and Rutgers is among the interested schools who could soon toss one his way.
Top NJ High School games
Piscataway @ South Brunswick
Last week, South Brunswick upset Sayreville and will face even a stiffer test when it hosts Piscataway and super junior Nadir Barnwell. The Chiefs also feature standout junior Kyle LaPorte and hard-hitting, tough running senior Tevin Shaw. Senior Jevon Tyree is also one to keep an eye for South Brunswick.
Don Bosco @ Manatee (FL)
Bosco has rolled over an opponent from California (Mission Viejo) and now it is time to bring the pain to Florida. With a stacked lineup that includes one star after another, a convincing win looks inevitable and will further solidify Bosco’s place as the No. 1 team in the country.
St. Joe’s (Montvale) @ St. Peter’s Prep
The Marauders will look to rebound from a tough 43-41 loss to Montclair with a home date against St. Joe’s. It will be no easy task and even though Prep features more D1 recruits, it should be a level playing field as Montvale head coach Tony Karcich always has his team ready to play.
Absegami @ Holy Spirit
Top junior quarterback Rashad Kinlaw will have his hands full against a stacked Spirit defense led by UNC commit Dan Mastromatteo. In what will be a likely win for Spirit, Kinlaw will have the opportunity to showcase his talents and establish himself as a top 10 caliber recruit in the class of 2013.
This post was edited on 9/16 2:47 AM by Bobby Deren
Greg Schiano on Joe Martinek’s progress at fullback:
“Joe is good. Joe can be really good if he will let it fly. That’s one of the things that comes with experience. Joe’s smart, he gets on the right guy, Joe’s tough, he’s going to fight you to the end…Brian (Leonard) was the same way. When Brian made the move initially, he was on the right guy but didn’t explode him and then as he got more experience and more sure of himself, it was bombs away. I anticipate that happening with Joe.”
Greg Schiano on Ka’Lial Glaud playing defensive end:
“There are some things he gets himself tangled up, it’s just a matter of not having done it enough. But hopefully again this week will help him.”
Kenneth Kirksey on watching film:
“I actually like watching film, that way I can get to see how to do the right thing. (Justin) Francis, he’s a good role model to follow. He does the right thing.”
Betim Bujari on what he has come away with his year:
“I realized that if you practice hard then the games actually going to be easier. If you get a good look, if you’re playing hard in practice, the game, everyone expects it to be so much harder but it’s the same thing pretty much, maybe even a little easier.”
Gary Nova on developing as a quarterback:
“I think when I got to high school I really started to develop it when I started to learn how to play quarterback properly. After that, I just would go out and do my job.”
Fat Cat Top 5
Top 5 NJ HS prospect performances in week one
5. Nadir Barnwell (Piscataway)
4. Ricky Jeune (St. Joe’s Montvale)
3. Rashad Kinlaw (Absegami)
2. Steve Longa (Saddle Brook)
1. Khalif Herbin (Montclair)
The Numbers Game
10 rushing first downs for RU this season
9 yard average on 3 catches for D.C. Jefferson
8 former Scarlet Knights started last week in the NFL
7 Big East teams in action this weekend
6 combined catches for Rutgers RB’s and TE’s last week against UNC
5 weeks until RU hoops first practice
4 career 100-yard receiving games for Mohamed Sanu
3 Knights with 8 or more tackles last week vs. UNC (Greene, Ryan, Merrell)
2 Big East teams ranked in the AP Top 25 (WVU, USF)
1 FBS team has more TFLs than Rutgers
Bobby’s Crystal Ball
Savon Huggins will have a breakout game next week vs. Ohio
Kevin Snyder will be a starter by mid-season
Recruiting tidbits
Elijah Shumate (Don Bosco)
Rutgers remains right in the running for Bosco defensive back Elijah Shumate who continues to hold Rutgers in high regard. Part of the reason for that involves the Hafley factor as RU’s secondary coach continues to prove his worth on the recruiting front.
"Rutgers is recruiting me hard,” said Shumate. “Coach Hafley, I love Coach Hafley. I talk to him every day. Rutgers is high on my list. Hopefully I will get there to see a game before the season is over. Rutgers is definitely recruiting me hard. They will stay on my list until the end. I will definitely continue to talk to Coach Hafley."
Last week during Bosco’s 35-7 drubbing of Mission Viejo (Calif.), there were some RU representation on the Bosco sidelines. Former RU quarterback Mike Teel and current RU backup quarterback Gary Nova looked on as their alma mater maintained it’s No. 1 national ranking.
Steve Longa (Saddle Brook)
The RU commit shredded Hasbrouck Heights last week with 113 yards rushing on 8 carries and 4 touchdowns, which included a 47-yard TD reception. Longa is now up to 215 pounds and credited his off-season work ethic with his opening game domination.
“I just hard work day in and day out. I’m not taking anything lightly,” Longa said.
Longa also had 10 tackles from his linebacker position and attributed his time spent at running back to helping him pout on defense.
"It helps me a lot cause when I’m on defense I know what the running back is thinking when he runs the ball, so it makes it easier on me.”
Longa also worked on making adjustments at the linebacker position like reading his keys better and being more disciplined.
"I did but I didn’t play like i should’ve,” he noted. “I kind of went back to my old habits which is not good. I just have to keep working at it.”
Rashaad Williams (Valley Forge)
Once claiming he would end up at Rutgers, the speedy running back is spending this season prepping at Valley Forge Military Academy. In an opening season win vs. Virginia Lions, Williams scored on a 22-yard run and a 60-yard pass. Williams then eclipsed the 200-yard rushing mark in a week two loss to Loyola Blakefield. This weekend, the challenge will be just as great when Valley Forge takes on Our Lady of Good Counsel. Williams maintained that he is keeping his options open as to where he will move on to next season, presuming he gets his grades in order.
Michael Giacone (St. Peter’s Prep)
Giacone’s Prep squad had a tough opener in a week one 41-43 loss to Montclair in which he hauled in one reception.
"It was tough mainly cause we knew we could of played so much better,” he said. “But we rebound quick and its back at it this week and continue on our way to the ring."
The day after that loss, Giacone had the chance to watch his future team as Rutgers dropped its first game of the year to North Carolina.
"I think they looked good,” said Giacone. “They must clean up the little mistakes but I know coach Schiano and the rest of the staff are on it and going to keep building to a successful season"
This week, the test will be just as tough for Giacone and the Marauders when they face standout junior Ricky Jeune and St. Joe’s (Montvale).
"We got a chip on our shoulder but feeling good just got to go out and do what we do best and come out in top,” said Giacone.
Aubrey Lewis (Montclair)
Last year’s torn ACL is still keeping Lewis out of action. However, the running back could still have a promising future. He has already been offered the opportunity to walk on at Rutgers but a decision has yet to be made. Nevertheless, it is very early for such an offer.
Zayd Issah (Central Dauphin) 2013
The talented 6-foot-3, 205 pound athlete has taken a liking to Rutgers and is looking to get up for a visit some time soon and may be in attendance for the Knights’ next home game vs. Ohio on September 24th. Issah appears to be closing in on offers and Rutgers is among the interested schools who could soon toss one his way.
Top NJ High School games
Piscataway @ South Brunswick
Last week, South Brunswick upset Sayreville and will face even a stiffer test when it hosts Piscataway and super junior Nadir Barnwell. The Chiefs also feature standout junior Kyle LaPorte and hard-hitting, tough running senior Tevin Shaw. Senior Jevon Tyree is also one to keep an eye for South Brunswick.
Don Bosco @ Manatee (FL)
Bosco has rolled over an opponent from California (Mission Viejo) and now it is time to bring the pain to Florida. With a stacked lineup that includes one star after another, a convincing win looks inevitable and will further solidify Bosco’s place as the No. 1 team in the country.
St. Joe’s (Montvale) @ St. Peter’s Prep
The Marauders will look to rebound from a tough 43-41 loss to Montclair with a home date against St. Joe’s. It will be no easy task and even though Prep features more D1 recruits, it should be a level playing field as Montvale head coach Tony Karcich always has his team ready to play.
Absegami @ Holy Spirit
Top junior quarterback Rashad Kinlaw will have his hands full against a stacked Spirit defense led by UNC commit Dan Mastromatteo. In what will be a likely win for Spirit, Kinlaw will have the opportunity to showcase his talents and establish himself as a top 10 caliber recruit in the class of 2013.
This post was edited on 9/16 2:47 AM by Bobby Deren
