Rutgers bowl eligible for first time since ’92
BY MIKE McDONALD
Staff Writer

It looks like the process Rutgers football head coach Greg Schiano spoke about in the beginning of the season is finally coming to form.

The Scarlet Knights (6-2), with a 31-21 win over Navy this past Saturday, became bowl eligible for the first time since 1992, adding further credence to Schiano’s claims that the program is heading in the direction he envisioned when he took over five years ago.

“[Success] brings a whole different set of challenges,” Schiano said. “I hope what carries us through is their attitude; that they continue to keep their focus and work hard on the things they can control.”

Rutgers jumped on Navy from the start and never relinquished the lead. Sophomore Ron Girault intercepted a Navy pass on the Midshipmen’s opening drive and returned it 27 yards. This would lead eventually to Rutgers’ fullback Brian Leonard’s seven-yard burst into the end zone.

The next score of the game came on a 20-yard completion from senior quarterback Ryan Hart to junior tight end Clark Harris, and a one-yard run by Leonard — his second touchdown of the afternoon.

Although Navy responded with a 60-yard scamper by Reggie Campbell, pulling to within a touchdown, Rutgers scored once more before the half when freshman defensive back Courtney Greene jarred the ball loose from Navy’s Trey Hines and fell on the loose ball at the Navy 30-yard line, setting up a Ray Rice three-yard touchdown run. Just like that, Rutgers had a 14-point lead at halftime.

Midway through the third quarter Navy scored its second touchdown of the day. Rutgers responded with a 14-play, 77-yard drive, which ended in a Jeremy Ito 18-yard field goal.

Navy followed Rutgers field goal with a field goal of their own, pulling to within three (24-21). However, Rutgers put the game out of reach on a two-yard touchdown run by Rice late in the fourth quarter.

Hart was extremely efficient, completing 18 of 21 passes for 221 yards. Rice led the rushing attack, accumulating 80 yards on 21 carries, and scoring two touchdowns. Leonard added 58 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries, as well as 53 yards on seven receptions. Tucker caught four passes for 80 yards. Tres Moses became Rutgers all-time leader in career receiving yardage (2,274) with 54 yards on four catches.

The players know how it important it was to come up big in this game and now get to enjoy for a little while. However, the players also realize it is important to try to play out the season to the best of their abilities. Every game has meaning.

The star of Rutgers’ defense on this day was Courtney Greene, who had 14 total tackles, forced a fumble and recorded half a sack.

Despite the victory, the players and their coach have remained rather calm and believe that there is much more to be done before season end.

“It’s one of the great memories in my career, but at the same time, we’re not done yet,” said Hart. “There’s a lot more football to be played and more big games, starting against [University of South Florida].”

“Today was a great day, but there’s many more to come,” added Leonard.

“We need to stay business-like. This was a big win, but we’re not done yet. We want more than just six wins,” said Moses.

Schiano has done a solid job of keeping his players focused on each game, allowing the big picture to take care of itself.

“Our players have a very business-like attitude,” Schiano said. “We have a lot of fun together. It’s a great group. It’s a family. But when it comes to work, they know how to work.

“They have seen, by trial and error, what works and doesn’t work. And they’ve learned that when they get caught up in situations and circumstances that they have zero control over, that can take over what you do have control over. Good and bad can be teaching tools.”

Rutgers next faces South Florida Saturday at noon in the next “big game” for the surging Scarlet Knights.