Mr. Everything

 There is now a number in front of the Rutgers football team.
Just like the last time the Scarlet Knights beat South Florida on a Thursday night, Rutgers 31-0 victory over the Bulls vaulted the team into the national rankings at No. 25.
In his post-game press conference, head coach Greg Schiano compared freshman wideout Mohamed Sanu to former Knight Kenny Britt. He previously said that sophomore tailback Joe Martinek has the workhorse ability of Ray Rice.
But the greatest comparison was with senior cornerback Devin McCourty.
“Devin is like our Superman on our team — he’s incredible,” said redshirt freshman safety Khaseem Greene. “We all live and we all breathe off of his energy. The passion that he plays the game with is like no other. Whether it’s defense, special teams or practice, he brings that passion and love for the game, and that’s how it’s supposed to be played.”
After the game, McCourty had no choice but to face the biggest question of the night: Is there anything he can’t do?
Judging by his Thursday night performance, the answer is no.
On defense, the captain led the team with nine tackles, including two for a loss, but McCourty stood out even more on special teams.
On a first-quarter Rutgers punt, McCourty got to Bulls return man Faron Hornes faster than he could get changed in a phone booth and arrived before the ball. Somehow, he stopped his momentum, waited for the ball to arrive and simultaneously hit Hornes to force a fumble the Knights recovered.
“As I was running down, I felt him coming towards me and I knew I couldn’t hit him early, so I stopped,” McCourty said. “When I saw that he adjusted and caught the ball high, I just punched my hand through his hands.”
The offense failed to capitalize, but the following quarter another McCourty play set up a field goal for the team. The Nanuet, N.Y., native blocked the sixth kick of his career.
This season on special teams, McCourty blocked two punts, returned a kickoff 98 yards, downed a punt at the two-yard-line and forced a fumble.
“I don’t even know what to say — he’s just impressive,” said junior defensive end Alex Silvestro. “I was sitting back watching him on special teams and in my head I was like, ‘Man, he’s a good player.’ It’s hard to come around players that good.”
And since it is so rare, the cornerbacks around McCourty are making sure to take full advantage.
Redshirt freshman corner Brandon Jones, who recorded his first career interception Thursday night, said he attempts to learn everything he can from McCourty.
“Devin McCourty is unbelievable,” Jones said. “I say it all that time. I really try to follow Devin as a player and as a person. He’s a great person. He’s a great player. What he does for this program, you can’t thank him enough.”
What the fifth-year senior did for this program is make history.
McCourty is a member of the first redshirt class to go to a Bowl game all five years.
“Phenomenal,” McCourty said. “To be able to say we’re possibly going to our fifth-straight Bowl game, which is an experience not every college player gets to do, is great. We have a chance to do some things that haven’t been done around here.”
McCourty, who leads the team in tackles, has an interception and five pass deflections to go along with his special teams plays. He cannot help but laugh when asked what more he can do.
But there is one thing he refuses to admit.
“I’m not Superman, I just try to lead these guys,” McCourty said with a smile. “I guess he says that because I’m on special teams making plays and on defense trying to make plays. And when you’re on the sideline with me I guess you’re like, ‘This guy doesn’t stop,’ because I’m on the bench yelling and screaming. For the future, now coach Schiano can hold anybody to that responsibility.”
Then again, Clark Kent would not admit to it either.

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