Quotables
Jawan Jamison on getting stronger as the game goes on:
"Once you get that 5-yard burst or that 10-yard burst, your confidence goes up and you get rolling. In the weight room we always go by quarters, our workouts go by the first quarter, second quarter, third quarter and fourth quarter. So we train that way all season."
Myles Nash on his thoughts on Rutgers through two games:
"I was very impressed with Rutgers but the real tests, I'm waiting to see Arkansas and USF. I'm looking forward to these games. I think they [Rutgers] are a great team but I'm looking forward to seeing them playing more competition…So far I'm very impressed with Rutgers."
Duron Harmon on the test B.J. Daniels provides for him in the secondary:
"He is a guy who likes to scramble so when I see him scrambling around I can't just run straight up. I have to be able to hold my ground and stay deep until I see him pass the line of scrimmage."
Jabrill Peppers on Paramus Catholic's 36-23 opening day win over Delbarton:
“This game was very important in terms of the season. Nobody wants to start off 0-1. Coming back from a 16-0 deficit says a lot about our team. We’re young, we’ll get better, and the sky is the limit. We have a lot of guys who can make plays. Every time I get the ball, I think touchdown. But I have our linemen and receivers to thank with the blocking they do.”
The Numbers game[/B]
10 rushes last week for redshirt frosh running back Ben Martin
9 tackles this season for Steve Beauharnais
8 returning offensive starters for USF
7 straight seasons with a shutout for RU
6th rank nationally in total defense for Rutgers
5-2 record for RU all-time against USF
4 redshirt frosh played their first game last week (Issaka, Lumpkin, Martin, Wright)
3 plays of over 50 yards this season for USF
2-7 record for Rutgers in Big East openers on the road
1 Big East team ranked in the top 25 (Louisville)
Fat Cat Top Five's
Top Five Reasons Rutgers will beat USF
5.) Steve Beauharnais will have a big game
4.) Rutgers' special teams will come up with a big play
3.) Jawan Jamison will eclipse 100 yards rushing and control the game tempo
2.) The RU defense will keep B.J. Daniels in check
1.) Gary Nova will have a solid game
Top Five Reasons Rutgers will lose to USF
5.) Rutgers will commit too many costly penalties
4.) Andre Davis will make some big downfield plays
3.) The USF defense will control the line of scrimmage
2.) The Rutgers passing game will struggle mightily
1.) B.J. Daniels will make plays out of the pocket
Bobby's Crystal Ball[/B]
Rutgers will cover the spread tonight against USF
Recruiting tidbits
On the road
This is one of two Thursday night games for the Scarlet Knights on the 2012 schedule, and while the short week could pose a challenge on the field, it will help the staff get a leg up on recruiting this weekend. Due to the Thursday game, several Rutgers assistants will have the opportunity to get on the road and see top recruits and Rutgers commits in action.
On Friday, linebackers coach Dave Cohen and defensive line coach Jim Panagos will remain in the Sunshine State to hit the recruiting trail. Cohen will travel to Cocoa High School to watch University High, led by commit Nick Internicola and major target Skai Moore. Panagos, meanwhile, will watch Lake Mary tight end Taylor Marini and his Rams teammates take on Ocoee on the road.
Up in New Jersey, defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach Robb Smith will be on hand to watch T.J. Taylor and South Brunswick take on Monroe. Scarlet Nation has also learned Rutgers will most likely be represented at the Paramus Catholic-DePaul match-up in Wayne, which features 2014 mega-recruit Jabrill Peppers, and Rutgers offerees Najee Clayton, Tyrone Washington (Paramus Catholic) and Kiy Hester (DePaul). Justin Nelson, a 2014 defensive end from DePaul, has yet to procure a Rutgers offer, but Scarlet Nation was told they have reached out to the Spartans staff about Nelson lately and Nelson has already visited campus for last month's open practice.
Meanwhile, in the Mid-Atlantic region, offensive line coach Damian Wroblewski will check out offensive tackle commit Moise LaRose and Wilde Lake (Md.) on Friday, while Scarlet Nation learned a member of the Rutgers staff is slated to be in attendance for Saturday's St. Elizabeth (Del.)-Neumann-Goretti game, featuring wide receiver Andre Patton.
DE Kemoko Turay (Barringer)
Turay's varsity football debut went well, as he recorded seven tackles and two sacks to help Barringer rout East Side 40-12. The 6-foot-5, 215-pound defensive end was "all over the field," Scarlet Nation was told.
Scarlet Nation has plans to see Turay in action within the next month.
DL Connor Morehart (Governor Mifflin, Pa.)
Morehart, whose lone offer came via Rutgers during a spring visit, made his fourth trip to Piscataway for the Howard game, and he came away impressed.
"It was awesome," Morehart said. "I brought my mom and my sister and they also loved it. My family loves the coaches and the facilities. It's a great environment; everybody is hyped up. The entrance is nuts. I love it a lot there and I plan on going to another game or two."
Before Morehart returns to Rutgers, he will visit Ohio State and Penn State the next two weeks, with a visit to West Virginia in the works for after that. He is interested in getting to know some more programs, but Rutgers has put itself in a good position thus far.
WR Saeed Blacknall (Manalapan)
A top 2014 target for the Scarlet Knights, Blacknall was at the Howard game along with his close friend, St. John Vianney WR Ish Hyman. His visit was cut short by the inclement weather, but he enjoyed himself before that.
"It was a lot of fun," he said. "I had a great time until the rain came, but overall it was still a good day."
OL Mac Storm (Northwestern Lehigh, Pa.)
Storm, a 6-foot-4, 292-pound junior offensive tackle, traveled to Rutgers for last week's home opener against Howard.
"The visit went great," he said. "I really enjoyed the game. I thought the stadium, field, and weight room were all very impressive. I enjoyed meeting the coaches as well as some of the players for Rutgers."
Storm said the staff members he spoke with asked him about how his season was going, how he was doing in school, and what he wanted to major in in college.
While Storm does not have a Rutgers offer, he is hoping to earn one after the staff sees some more of his tape.
DB John Reid (St. Joseph Prep, Pa.)
The sophomore from Philly is already being billed as one of the Northeast's top recruits in the class of 2015 and started varsity as a true freshman. He now holds a total of five offers.
"I picked up Central Florida, Colorado and Maryland this year and I had Rutgers and Boston College last year," Reid said. "I did a Rutgers team camp and we also did the Rutgers passing camp this year but I did the Temple camp by myself. I've been learning a lot of new stuff from the college coaches at the camps and even some of the players I see. I always find myself picking up something. I'd like to hear from some of the SEC schools and schools on the East Coast. I just want to have as many options as I can when my senior year comes around."
Reid also talked about location playing an importance in where he ultimate winds up going to college.
"I'm not too sure because I'm a kid, so one day I'll say that I want to go far away from home for college and then the next day I want to stay home. I try not to think about it too much right now because I'm going back and forth about it right now."
DE Melvin Keihn (Gilman,Md.)
The junior was part of a Gilman team that defeated Don Bosco last weekend, helping bring an end to the Ironmen's 46-game winning streak.
"Our main goal was to execute and have fun," Keihn said. "Make a mistake, get out and get right back in there. We had the game from two seasons ago in our mind and we just had to get them back."
Keihn is starting to garner D1 interest including some from Rutgers.
"I've gotten some mail from Rutgers but I haven't had any chance to reach back to the coaches yet. I've haven't had a chance to research too many schools but I'll get there soon. I want to be an engineer so education is number one for me right now."
OG Sam Mustipher (Good Counsel, Md.)
The class of 2014 offensive lineman is fielding heavy interest from Ohio State, Clemson and Maryland while Penn State offered last week. He also holds a Rutgers offer and is now holding steady at nine offers.
"I've been in touch with Coach Damien (Wroblewski) from Rutgers often and our relationship is great," he said. "We talk all the time and he messages me all the time. He wished me luck this weekend even though we played a Jersey team because he knows how good they are."
Mustipher and his Good Counsel squad edged out St. Joe's Montvale by a final of 14-10 this past Saturday.
"It was a tough battle and I want to give St. Joe's credit because they balled hard," Mustipher said. "They started off fast but we finished off strong."
WR Brian Lemelle (Bishop McDevitt, Pa.)
Lemelle's season has started off slowly with only five catches for 73 yards with no touchdowns as he has become the focal point of the opposition coming off of a 93-catch, 1,600-yard, 15-touchdown junior season. His Crusaders are 2-0 with victories over neighbor rivals Harrisburg and Central Dauphin. Lemelle has informed Scarlet Nation that he currently is considering Iowa, West Virgina, Virginia, Cincinnati, Boston College and Purdue with only an unofficial visit to WVU made this summer.
Rutgers' interest in Lemelle has waned in recent weeks but Lemelle informed Scarlet Nation that he is still interested in the Scarlet Knights and would be open to hearing more from them. With limited slots in the current recruiting class and Andre Patton emerging as the top available target at the WR position, Lemelle seems unlikely to end up signing with Rutgers at this time. But should things change with Patton, Lemelle remains a viable option.
Where are they now?
One-time Rutgers commit Chevelle Buie has found himself back on the football field. Buie wasn't able to make it to the world of Division 1 football out of Cocoa High School in Cocoa, Fla., but he has resumed his career at Mesabi Range junior college in the small town of Virginia, Minnesota. In his first game this season, Buie had an 80-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
Hoops Note
Rutgers hosted its first major official visitor of the fall last weekend in Silver Springs (Md.) Sidwell Friends wing Josh Hart. Hart, who has already visited Villanova and Penn State, said the trip exceeded expectations.
"It was a great visit. I couldn't really ask for more," said Hart. "Everything they showed me about the school really left me with a better impression than I had coming in."
Hart had the opportunity to tour the campus, speak with the coaching and academic support staffs and meet some of the current Scarlet Knights. All in all, Rutgers left itself in good position following the weekend.
"All five schools--Rutgers, Villanova, Penn State, Xavier and Miami (Fla,)--have a shot at me, but Rutgers is definitely standing out," said Hart. "I wouldn't say they are my top school but they are definitely in my top three."
Hart told Scarlet Nation he would ideally like to make a decision by the middle of October, but would wait beyond that if he felt it was needed.
This post was edited on 9/13 12:52 AM by Bobby Deren
Jawan Jamison on getting stronger as the game goes on:
"Once you get that 5-yard burst or that 10-yard burst, your confidence goes up and you get rolling. In the weight room we always go by quarters, our workouts go by the first quarter, second quarter, third quarter and fourth quarter. So we train that way all season."
Myles Nash on his thoughts on Rutgers through two games:
"I was very impressed with Rutgers but the real tests, I'm waiting to see Arkansas and USF. I'm looking forward to these games. I think they [Rutgers] are a great team but I'm looking forward to seeing them playing more competition…So far I'm very impressed with Rutgers."
Duron Harmon on the test B.J. Daniels provides for him in the secondary:
"He is a guy who likes to scramble so when I see him scrambling around I can't just run straight up. I have to be able to hold my ground and stay deep until I see him pass the line of scrimmage."
Jabrill Peppers on Paramus Catholic's 36-23 opening day win over Delbarton:
“This game was very important in terms of the season. Nobody wants to start off 0-1. Coming back from a 16-0 deficit says a lot about our team. We’re young, we’ll get better, and the sky is the limit. We have a lot of guys who can make plays. Every time I get the ball, I think touchdown. But I have our linemen and receivers to thank with the blocking they do.”
The Numbers game[/B]
10 rushes last week for redshirt frosh running back Ben Martin
9 tackles this season for Steve Beauharnais
8 returning offensive starters for USF
7 straight seasons with a shutout for RU
6th rank nationally in total defense for Rutgers
5-2 record for RU all-time against USF
4 redshirt frosh played their first game last week (Issaka, Lumpkin, Martin, Wright)
3 plays of over 50 yards this season for USF
2-7 record for Rutgers in Big East openers on the road
1 Big East team ranked in the top 25 (Louisville)
Fat Cat Top Five's
Top Five Reasons Rutgers will beat USF
5.) Steve Beauharnais will have a big game
4.) Rutgers' special teams will come up with a big play
3.) Jawan Jamison will eclipse 100 yards rushing and control the game tempo
2.) The RU defense will keep B.J. Daniels in check
1.) Gary Nova will have a solid game
Top Five Reasons Rutgers will lose to USF
5.) Rutgers will commit too many costly penalties
4.) Andre Davis will make some big downfield plays
3.) The USF defense will control the line of scrimmage
2.) The Rutgers passing game will struggle mightily
1.) B.J. Daniels will make plays out of the pocket
Bobby's Crystal Ball[/B]
Rutgers will cover the spread tonight against USF
Recruiting tidbits
On the road
This is one of two Thursday night games for the Scarlet Knights on the 2012 schedule, and while the short week could pose a challenge on the field, it will help the staff get a leg up on recruiting this weekend. Due to the Thursday game, several Rutgers assistants will have the opportunity to get on the road and see top recruits and Rutgers commits in action.
On Friday, linebackers coach Dave Cohen and defensive line coach Jim Panagos will remain in the Sunshine State to hit the recruiting trail. Cohen will travel to Cocoa High School to watch University High, led by commit Nick Internicola and major target Skai Moore. Panagos, meanwhile, will watch Lake Mary tight end Taylor Marini and his Rams teammates take on Ocoee on the road.
Up in New Jersey, defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach Robb Smith will be on hand to watch T.J. Taylor and South Brunswick take on Monroe. Scarlet Nation has also learned Rutgers will most likely be represented at the Paramus Catholic-DePaul match-up in Wayne, which features 2014 mega-recruit Jabrill Peppers, and Rutgers offerees Najee Clayton, Tyrone Washington (Paramus Catholic) and Kiy Hester (DePaul). Justin Nelson, a 2014 defensive end from DePaul, has yet to procure a Rutgers offer, but Scarlet Nation was told they have reached out to the Spartans staff about Nelson lately and Nelson has already visited campus for last month's open practice.
Meanwhile, in the Mid-Atlantic region, offensive line coach Damian Wroblewski will check out offensive tackle commit Moise LaRose and Wilde Lake (Md.) on Friday, while Scarlet Nation learned a member of the Rutgers staff is slated to be in attendance for Saturday's St. Elizabeth (Del.)-Neumann-Goretti game, featuring wide receiver Andre Patton.
DE Kemoko Turay (Barringer)
Turay's varsity football debut went well, as he recorded seven tackles and two sacks to help Barringer rout East Side 40-12. The 6-foot-5, 215-pound defensive end was "all over the field," Scarlet Nation was told.
Scarlet Nation has plans to see Turay in action within the next month.
DL Connor Morehart (Governor Mifflin, Pa.)
Morehart, whose lone offer came via Rutgers during a spring visit, made his fourth trip to Piscataway for the Howard game, and he came away impressed.
"It was awesome," Morehart said. "I brought my mom and my sister and they also loved it. My family loves the coaches and the facilities. It's a great environment; everybody is hyped up. The entrance is nuts. I love it a lot there and I plan on going to another game or two."
Before Morehart returns to Rutgers, he will visit Ohio State and Penn State the next two weeks, with a visit to West Virginia in the works for after that. He is interested in getting to know some more programs, but Rutgers has put itself in a good position thus far.
WR Saeed Blacknall (Manalapan)
A top 2014 target for the Scarlet Knights, Blacknall was at the Howard game along with his close friend, St. John Vianney WR Ish Hyman. His visit was cut short by the inclement weather, but he enjoyed himself before that.
"It was a lot of fun," he said. "I had a great time until the rain came, but overall it was still a good day."
OL Mac Storm (Northwestern Lehigh, Pa.)
Storm, a 6-foot-4, 292-pound junior offensive tackle, traveled to Rutgers for last week's home opener against Howard.
"The visit went great," he said. "I really enjoyed the game. I thought the stadium, field, and weight room were all very impressive. I enjoyed meeting the coaches as well as some of the players for Rutgers."
Storm said the staff members he spoke with asked him about how his season was going, how he was doing in school, and what he wanted to major in in college.
While Storm does not have a Rutgers offer, he is hoping to earn one after the staff sees some more of his tape.
DB John Reid (St. Joseph Prep, Pa.)
The sophomore from Philly is already being billed as one of the Northeast's top recruits in the class of 2015 and started varsity as a true freshman. He now holds a total of five offers.
"I picked up Central Florida, Colorado and Maryland this year and I had Rutgers and Boston College last year," Reid said. "I did a Rutgers team camp and we also did the Rutgers passing camp this year but I did the Temple camp by myself. I've been learning a lot of new stuff from the college coaches at the camps and even some of the players I see. I always find myself picking up something. I'd like to hear from some of the SEC schools and schools on the East Coast. I just want to have as many options as I can when my senior year comes around."
Reid also talked about location playing an importance in where he ultimate winds up going to college.
"I'm not too sure because I'm a kid, so one day I'll say that I want to go far away from home for college and then the next day I want to stay home. I try not to think about it too much right now because I'm going back and forth about it right now."
DE Melvin Keihn (Gilman,Md.)
The junior was part of a Gilman team that defeated Don Bosco last weekend, helping bring an end to the Ironmen's 46-game winning streak.
"Our main goal was to execute and have fun," Keihn said. "Make a mistake, get out and get right back in there. We had the game from two seasons ago in our mind and we just had to get them back."
Keihn is starting to garner D1 interest including some from Rutgers.
"I've gotten some mail from Rutgers but I haven't had any chance to reach back to the coaches yet. I've haven't had a chance to research too many schools but I'll get there soon. I want to be an engineer so education is number one for me right now."
OG Sam Mustipher (Good Counsel, Md.)
The class of 2014 offensive lineman is fielding heavy interest from Ohio State, Clemson and Maryland while Penn State offered last week. He also holds a Rutgers offer and is now holding steady at nine offers.
"I've been in touch with Coach Damien (Wroblewski) from Rutgers often and our relationship is great," he said. "We talk all the time and he messages me all the time. He wished me luck this weekend even though we played a Jersey team because he knows how good they are."
Mustipher and his Good Counsel squad edged out St. Joe's Montvale by a final of 14-10 this past Saturday.
"It was a tough battle and I want to give St. Joe's credit because they balled hard," Mustipher said. "They started off fast but we finished off strong."
WR Brian Lemelle (Bishop McDevitt, Pa.)
Lemelle's season has started off slowly with only five catches for 73 yards with no touchdowns as he has become the focal point of the opposition coming off of a 93-catch, 1,600-yard, 15-touchdown junior season. His Crusaders are 2-0 with victories over neighbor rivals Harrisburg and Central Dauphin. Lemelle has informed Scarlet Nation that he currently is considering Iowa, West Virgina, Virginia, Cincinnati, Boston College and Purdue with only an unofficial visit to WVU made this summer.
Rutgers' interest in Lemelle has waned in recent weeks but Lemelle informed Scarlet Nation that he is still interested in the Scarlet Knights and would be open to hearing more from them. With limited slots in the current recruiting class and Andre Patton emerging as the top available target at the WR position, Lemelle seems unlikely to end up signing with Rutgers at this time. But should things change with Patton, Lemelle remains a viable option.
Where are they now?
One-time Rutgers commit Chevelle Buie has found himself back on the football field. Buie wasn't able to make it to the world of Division 1 football out of Cocoa High School in Cocoa, Fla., but he has resumed his career at Mesabi Range junior college in the small town of Virginia, Minnesota. In his first game this season, Buie had an 80-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
Hoops Note
Rutgers hosted its first major official visitor of the fall last weekend in Silver Springs (Md.) Sidwell Friends wing Josh Hart. Hart, who has already visited Villanova and Penn State, said the trip exceeded expectations.
"It was a great visit. I couldn't really ask for more," said Hart. "Everything they showed me about the school really left me with a better impression than I had coming in."
Hart had the opportunity to tour the campus, speak with the coaching and academic support staffs and meet some of the current Scarlet Knights. All in all, Rutgers left itself in good position following the weekend.
"All five schools--Rutgers, Villanova, Penn State, Xavier and Miami (Fla,)--have a shot at me, but Rutgers is definitely standing out," said Hart. "I wouldn't say they are my top school but they are definitely in my top three."
Hart told Scarlet Nation he would ideally like to make a decision by the middle of October, but would wait beyond that if he felt it was needed.
This post was edited on 9/13 12:52 AM by Bobby Deren
