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Rutgers head coach quells critics with strong finish to season

Kyle Flood was never going to publicly acknowledge it, but for his own sake, the bigger picture surrounding the Rutgers football team's win over Indiana on Nov.May 3 2015

Rutgers quarterback Gary Nova stages colossal comeback in senior season

There were many places Gary Nova could have — and some fans thought he should have — resorted to after being benched as quarterback for the Rutgers football team's final three games in 2013. But running for the hills or even burying himself under a boulder were never among the options for the Elmwood Park, New Jersey, native. “A lot of people in his shoes probably would’ve just went to go hide underneath a rock somewhere,” said wide receiver Leonte Carroo this past November.May 3 2015

Rutgers eyes end to losing streak, breakout against Boilermakers

Slumped over on a cushioned locker-room chair, with his head sagging beneath nearly a dozen reporters, Myles Mack couldn't deny the truth. Minutes earlier, Rutgers head men's basketball coach Eddie Jordan swore that the team's latest embarrassment — a 30-point home drubbing by Indiana — didn't signal the white flag from his troops. The Scarlet Knights previously echoed much of the same throughout the program's first double-digit losing streak in 27 years, pointing to their camaraderie, poise and perseverance as reasons to stay positive. But Sunday's blowout in Piscataway pushed Mack over the edge. "It's really hard.Feb 26 2015

Rutgers plunges lower with latest defeat

If it feels like the Rutgers men's basketball team hasn't won in a while, it's because it hasn't. The Scarlet Knights have now gone 39 days without a victory since the program's historic upset over then-No.Feb 20 2015

Nova, Rutgers cap first Big Ten season with bowl victory in Detroit

DETROIT — Gary Nova tried as hard as he could to hold back his tears. He tried to block out the inevitability of the situation in the days leading up to this. He tried to avoid getting caught up in the outpouring of love from the Piscataway faithful, the few thousand of which traveled more than 600 miles to chant his name once it all ended.Dec 27 2014

Big Ten year ends with winning record, awards

When the Rutgers football team looks back on its first season in the Big Ten in less than a month, it will have every reason to feel satisfied.Dec 9 2014

Rutgers accepts invite to bowl in Detroit

Upon learning on Sunday that the Rutgers football team will be playing North Carolina in the Quick Lane Bowl, senior strong safety Lorenzo Waters’ first thought wasn’t a fond memory.Dec 8 2014

Prognostications peg Rutgers for post-Christmas bowls

Gary Nova is the Rutgers football team’s all-time leader in touchdown passes, boasts wins against SEC and Big Ten opponents and on Saturday orchestrated the largest comeback in program history.Dec 5 2014

Rutgers' winning season in Big Ten proves critics wrong

Doomsday was supposed to befall the Rutgers football team this season.Dec 4 2014

Nova becomes fourth player to win Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week twice

Prior to Monday, the list of two-time Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honorees was exclusive to J.T. Barrett, Melvin Gordon and Ameer Abdullah.Dec 2 2014

Rutgers' defense seals comeback with last-minute stand

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — As Maryland kicker Brad Craddock’s 54-yard field goal attempt fell short with 3:45 left in the fourth quarter, the Rutgers football team’s defense finally got a break.Dec 1 2014

Rutgers pulls off program's biggest comeback to secure winning season in first Big Ten campaign

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — The Rutgers football team had been in this agonizing position so many times before, and for that reason alone, junior defensive tackle Darius Hamilton wasn't sure if he fully believed Jim Panagos. The fired up defensive line coach told the Scarlet Knights at halftime as they were down 18 points that they were going to score only a few plays after the second-half kickoff.Nov 30 2014

Rutgers' last game week offers chance to swing season's perception

No one needed to remind the Rutgers football team before the season that competing in the Big Ten for the first time was going to be a daunting task.Nov 25 2014

Rutgers endures most lopsided loss of season in dreary Michigan State atmosphere

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Within the bowels of Spartan Stadium, a visibly disgruntled Kyle Flood slumped into his seat at the postgame podium and found himself having to answer an all too familiar question. Is the noncompetitive nature of the Rutgers football team's losses against the Big Ten's upper echelon a concern?Nov 23 2014

Rutgers gets another shot at Big Ten's elite at Michigan State

As he sat back at home and took in Michigan State’s victory over Stanford on New Year's Day in the Rose Bowl, Kevin Snyder couldn’t help but admire the Spartans.Nov 21 2014

Patton slowly regains role carved out before season

Part of Andre Patton always wonders what might’ve been had he not extended his body for a touchdown in the second scrimmage of preseason camp.Nov 20 2014

True freshmen express eagerness to take on larger RB roles

Robert Martin and Josh Hicks entered the Rutgers football program at the same time and have such a close relationship that they talk all the time about not just football, but life in general.Nov 18 2014

Rutgers becomes bowl eligible for ninth time in 10 years on Senior Day

Gary Nova took a few minutes to soak in his surroundings, knowing it was a scene he was never going to see again. He glanced up into the crowd and cherished the heartfelt ovations from the Piscataway faithful.Nov 16 2014

Early tutelage from veterans grooms Waters’ career

On Sept. 22, 2012, more than 72,000 fans packed Arkansas’ Razorback Stadium in the most raucous atmosphere Lorenzo Waters had ever endured. A sophomore at the time, Waters was making his fourth career start as the Rutgers football team’s strong safety, and it didn’t go too well.Nov 14 2014

Aiken puts difficult past behind him during Rutgers career

There was a time when Johnathan Aiken didn’t know when or if he was going to get his life in order, much less play major college football.Nov 13 2014

Johnson approaches end of career with impressive starts streak on offensive line

Kaleb Johnson is kicking himself in the foot for not being ready to start the first two games of his 2011 freshman season.Nov 12 2014

Snyder develops player intelligence through adapting, learning at linebacker spots

Kevin Snyder knew it was time to get his act together when former Rutgers football players Khaseem Greene and Steve Beauharnais approached him during a 2011 training camp scrimmage.Nov 11 2014

Sophomore Sensations

Junior Etou sits at a roundtable on the Louis Brown Athletic Center’s first floor concourse, staring into space in a dimly lit gymnasium. He waits anxiously as a couple dozen media members lurk nearby. Director of Basketball Operations Dalip Bhatia is seated by Etou’s side as the anticipation builds.Nov 7 2014

Rutgers evaluates issues with run defense during week off

This isn’t the Big Ten the Rutgers football team’s defense thought it was signing up for.Nov 6 2014

WASHED AWAY

Amid a dreary, watered-down atmosphere within High Point Solutions Stadium, Kyle Flood went into the Rutgers football team’s locker room and saw nothing but desire.Nov 3 2014

Rutgers suffers first shutout loss since 2002, fourth Homecoming defeat in five years

Amid a dreary, watered-down atmosphere within High Point Solutions Stadium, Kyle Flood went into the Rutgers football team's locker room and saw nothing but desire. He saw love and passion.Nov 1 2014

Rutgers looks to snap recent struggles on Homecoming

Fan activities and alumni reunions make Homecoming a special time for the University, but lately the week has only left a sour taste in the Rutgers football team’s mouth. That was the conclusion senior middle linebacker Kevin Snyder and junior defensive tackle Darius Hamilton drew Monday at High Point Solution Stadium’s Audi Club, where the prevailing Homecoming memory they recollected was the wins that never materialized.Oct 31 2014

Conference Challenge

Kyle Flood likes to keep it simple when evaluating what makes Wisconsin’s defense so efficient, even without dazzling individual talents. “They play tremendous 11-man defense,” Rutgers’ head football coach said. “If you look at them statistically ... their leading tacklers are in the middle with their two middle linebackers and their safety, but the leading TFL guys on their defense are on the outside, so they’re getting production in a lot of different areas. And I think that speaks to me that they play team defense.”Oct 31 2014

Wisconsin’s pro-style offense gives Rutgers fresh look on defense

The Rutgers football team’s defense might be reluctant to admit it, but this week likely serves as somewhat a breath of fresh air for the Scarlet Knights.Oct 30 2014

Knights say Grant remains focused despite inconsistencies

An often unsung but integral component of the Rutgers football team, Janarion Grant has had a tough going the past two weeks.Oct 29 2014

Martin becomes co-starter at running back for Rutgers after productive outing

Three months ago, Robert Martin faced a predicament.Oct 28 2014

Nebraska's star running back smashes Rutgers' defense as Knights lose Nova to injury

LINCOLN, Neb. — With nowhere left to turn, members of the Rutgers football team's defense unbuckled their helmet straps and slowly trudged to the visiting sideline at Memorial Stadium, still reeling from the sting of another Ameer Abdullah touchdown.Oct 25 2014

Rutgers hopes to fix mistakes, tackling woes from Ohio State rout at Nebraska

Immediately after what was easily the Rutgers football team’s worst performance of the season last Saturday at Ohio State, senior defensive end David Milewski made a bold proclamation: “This game is not going to define us as a team.”Oct 24 2014

Hermann talks Nebraska roots in advance of Saturday’s Rutgers football game

As a young girl growing up in Nebraska City, Julie Hermann spent her nights and mornings staring at the likes of former Nebraska football greats Vince Ferragamo and Rich Glover.Oct 23 2014

Knights compare sting of Ohio State blowout to heartbreak against Penn State, vow to more forward

The last time the Rutgers football team suffered a painful Big Ten defeat, it truly moved on, and the results showed.Oct 21 2014

Ohio State gives Rutgers rude awakening in Knights' first Big Ten road game

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The onslaught was so immediate and relentless — so crisply designed and executed — that the Rutgers football team was left dazed and confused following the game the Scarlet Knights swore they couldn't wait to deliver a statement in.Oct 19 2014

Rutgers embraces historic road challenge at Ohio State

They've heard about being 19.5-point underdogs. They've heard about the 100,000-plus fans that await in one of college football's most historic venues.Oct 17 2014

Rutgers' rushing numbers dip in Big Ten play

Remaining stuck in neutral when trying to run the ball consistently against Penn State and Michigan mounted frustration for the Rutgers football team's offensive line.Oct 16 2014

Rutgers' defensive line preps for its stingiest test of season

The overwhelming size of Ohio State’s offensive line is clear, with three of five starters standing at least 6-foot-6.Oct 15 2014

Rutgers downplays being early 19.5-point underdog at Ohio State

Apparently a 5-1 start and a win against Michigan ? more than many pundits predicted from the Rutgers football team this season ? hasn’t impressed Las Vegas oddsmakers.Oct 14 2014

Rutgers uses bye week to recuperate physically, reflect mentally after historic six-game grind

All things considered -- an emotional first Big Ten win, lengthy injury reports and a tough road stretch looming -- the Rutgers football team's first bye week comes at a particularly opportune time.Oct 9 2014

Turzilli shows explosiveness as complementary wideout

Andrew Turzilli figured his decision to return to New Jersey for his final season of eligibility would pay off somehow, but the fifth-year senior didn’t imagine this level of excitement.Oct 7 2014

Rutgers seizes first-ever Big Ten win as fans rush the field at High Point Solutions Stadium

Fireworks and cannons smoked through the crisp Piscataway air on numerous occasions Saturday night, but it wasn't until High Point Solutions Stadium's student section emptied and fans rushed onto the field that it all meant something special.A 26-24 victory against college football's most storied program signaled not only the Rutgers football team's first-ever Big Ten win, but perhaps the biggest moment in Scarlet Knights history.Oct 5 2014

Nova gets another chance to deliver on big stage against Michigan

In the aftermath of a dreary second half against Penn State in which Gary Nova admitted he let down the Rutgers football team, offensive coordinator Ralph Friedgen sought out the senior.Friedgen had spent much of the spring and summer working tirelessly with the Scarlet Knights’ much-maligned quarterback.Oct 2 2014

Corners embrace challenge of rangy, quick Michigan wide receiver

When Rutgers head football coach Kyle Flood took in film of Michigan for the first time earlier this week, a 6-foot-5, 230-pound frame in the passing game immediately stood out.Oct 1 2014

Kroft makes impact in run blocking as defenses key in on junior in passing game

To the naked eye, Tyler Kroft has been practically invisible for the Rutgers football team this season — at least to those who like big numbers.Sep 30 2014

Nova becomes Rutgers' all-time leader in passing touchdowns as Knights dominate Tulane

Mike Teel knew where to find Gary Nova when the senior quarterback made history Saturday at High Point Solutions Stadium.Teel, a graduate assistant, made his way from the press box down to the locker room at halftime and joked with Nova after he broke the former Rutgers football player's all-time school record of 59 touchdown passes in the second quarter."I saw him right after and I said, 'Records are made to be broken.Sep 27 2014

Knights reminisce about 2012 Tulane game, come long way two years later

A pair of Rutgers football players still remembers the day like it was yesterday: Sept. 1, 2012, New Orleans, Louisiana.Darius Hamilton and Leonte Carroo were two of three true freshmen making their Scarlet Knights debuts in the season opener against Tulane, and the stage couldn't have been much bigger.Rutgers traveled approximately 1,300 miles to the Superdome, home of the New Orleans Saints and host of seven Super Bowls and five NCAA men's basketball Final Fours.Sep 25 2014

Overcoming injuries, making sacrifices help walk-on find niche at Rutgers

Long before he made a game-saving sack Saturday against Navy — before he even came to Rutgers — redshirt freshman safety Andre Hunt went through so much pain that he thought his football days were numbered.Sep 24 2014

Injuries take toll on Rutgers after physically, mentally demanding Navy week

Although it escaped Annapolis with a win Saturday against Navy, the Rutgers football team is already feeling the effects of going up against one of the more physical teams in the country.Sixteen Scarlet Knights litter this week's injury report ? six more than last Monday after the Penn State game.Five Knights will be out this Saturday against Tulane, including junior running back Paul James, whom head coach Kyle Flood announced Sunday is done for the season with a torn ACL.Sep 22 2014

Dominant rushing offense, defense propel Rutgers to road victory at Navy

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Initially, very little went as planned Saturday at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium for the Rutgers football team, which turned the ball over on the first play from scrimmage and lost its leading rusher early in the second quarter.Sep 21 2014

Safeties prepare for role in second level of Rutgers’ defense

Delon Stephenson remembers facing South Brunswick’s version of the triple option offense back in high school, but that has not simplified things for the sophomore free safety this week.Sep 18 2014

Offensive line focuses on pad level, techniques for Navy defensive front

The Rutgers football team's offensive line has such high expectations for itself that currently allowing nearly half as many sacks per game as last season isn't good enough.The unit has given up five sacks in three games -- on pace for a vast improvement from the 35 it permitted all of last season.Sep 16 2014

Rutgers moves on from bitter loss to Penn State, begins prep for Navy game

Not even 36 hours removed from a 13-10 loss Saturday night to Penn State that head coach Kyle Flood called "devastating," the Rutgers football team had already moved on by Monday morning.Sep 15 2014

B1G LETDOWN

Not a single word was spoken as members of the Rutgers football team tucked their heads, slowly gathered their belongings and prepared to depart a somber locker room within the bowels of High Point Solutions Stadium.Sep 15 2014

Rutgers collapses in familiar fashion as Penn State spoils Knights' first Big Ten game with late touchdown

Not a single word was spoken as members of the Rutgers football team tucked their heads, slowly gathered their belongings and prepared to depart a somber locker room within the bowels of High Point Solutions Stadium.On perhaps the biggest stage in school history Saturday night, it was all right there for the Scarlet Knights: A 10-point halftime advantage.Sep 14 2014

Hackenberg presents pro-style passing challenge

For all of Christian Hackenberg’s eye-popping numbers — namely 773 yards and a 65.1 completion percentage through two games — nothing is more telling of the Penn State quarterback’s prowess than what shows up on film.Sep 11 2014

Recruiting Rivalry

As a young teenager, Julian Pinnix-Odrick couldn’t get enough of Penn State. Game after game, he made a living in Beaver Stadium cheering on his older half-brother, Jared Odrick, who starred as a defensive tackle with the Nittany Lions from 2006 to 2009 and now plays for the Miami Dolphins.Sep 11 2014

James carries torrid scoring streak into PSU game

If there’s any question of how much Paul James means to the Rutgers football team, consider this: The junior running back is on pace to set a school record with 39 touchdowns this season, and that’s if the Scarlet Knights don’t reach a bowl game.Sep 10 2014

Cornerbacks gear up for Penn State's pro-style offense

It's been a hectic three-week stretch for the Rutgers football team's defense, to say the least.Sep 9 2014

Ravens cut ties with ex-Knight

Seventeen months after a leaked video cost Mike Rice his job at Rutgers, Ray Rice has met the same fate in the NFL.Sep 9 2014

Baltimore Ravens release former Rutgers running back Ray Rice

Seventeen months after a leaked video cost Mike Rice his job at Rutgers, Ray Rice has met the same fate in the NFL.The Baltimore Ravens released the running back this afternoon, just hours after a video published by TMZ revealed Rice punching his then-fiancee Janay Palmer back on Feb.Sep 8 2014

Rutgers quickly shakes off early scare in home opener to remain unbeaten entering first Big Ten game

Stunned silence swept the Piscataway air Saturday afternoon as Howard running back Aquanius Freeman tumbled into the right side of the end zone and the scoreboard read 7-0, Bison. The Rutgers football team's run of 342 straight minutes of scoreless defense against FCS opponents was over.Sep 6 2014

Five returning starters along offensive line face high expectations with continuity, new assistant coach

From the moment Mitch Browning stepped foot on campus in December, there was no mistaking the Rutgers football team’s new offensive line coach.Sep 5 2014

Rutgers refuses to overlook FCS foe Howard, blocks out Penn State in home opener

With arguably the biggest game in school history looming next Saturday, it would be hard to blame the Rutgers football team for overlooking Howard (0-1) in tomorrow’s home opener.Sep 5 2014

Kroft adjusts to increased defensive attention

As a selection to the preseason watch list for the John Mackey Award, annually given to the nation’s top tight end, Tyler Kroft figured Washington State’s defense would center its game plan on the 2013 breakout star.Sep 4 2014

‘D’ keys in on fundamental improvements for home opener

Pac-12 member Washington State and FCS school Howard are polar opposites in terms of offensive philosophy, which means the Rutgers football team is likely to employ equally different defensive personnel groups in Saturday’s home opener.Sep 3 2014

Aiken earns Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors

Johnathan Aiken went into Thursday night’s season opener in Seattle as the backup strong safety, and now he’s a part of Rutgers football history.Sep 2 2014

Late defensive stand, fumble recovery fuel Rutgers' season-opening win in shootout

"I saw it in our belief that we were going to win and that we were going to get stops," senior linebacker Kevin Snyder said of the defense's growth from last year. "Even after they scored [three touchdowns in four drives] on us, we still had that confidence that we were going to be able to stop them if we just didn't beat ourselves."Aug 29 2014

Rutgers transfer quarterback dismissed after charged with assault

Before another major controversy could engulf the University, Rutgers head football coach Kyle Flood quickly took action.May 13 2014

Flood hints at leader in QB competition

All signs pointed to Gary Nova leading the Rutgers football team’s quarterback competition when the senior took the field Saturday at High Point Solutions Stadium for the annual spring game’s first offensive series. Then Kyle Flood — against his own reluctance — gave an endorsement. “If we had to play today, Gary would be our starter,” the head coach said at halftime. “We’re not ready to name a starter just yet.”Apr 28 2014

Thomas offers little insight into his surprising return to Rutgers

Media members waited all spring to hear from him, but when the time finally came, a standoffish Ian Thomas left more questions than answers regarding his return to the Rutgers football team. The sophomore cornerback, who left the program Oct. 15 to pursue what head coach Kyle Flood called a baseball career at another school, rejoined the team Jan. 16 on a conditional basis.Apr 25 2014

Linemen look to aid run game with new coaching, experience

Much of spring talk has revolved around new offensive and defensive coordinators, but the Rutgers football team’s most important December hire could prove to be the man leading the battle for leverage up front. With 34 years of experience at six BCS schools, new offensive line coach Mitch Browning brings a decorated resume to Piscataway.Apr 23 2014

Nova shows signs of improved decision-making in scrimmage

At this point in the year, there is little Gary Nova can do to ease concerns about his ability to play at a consistently high level for the Rutgers football team. Until the senior quarterback puts together a more complete season, doubts about the mental aspect of his game will likely continue to linger. Head coach Kyle Flood insisted Saturday he is not ready to name a starter for next season anytime soon, despite Nova’s impressive spring.Apr 21 2014

Sophomore takes advantage of Kroft’s absence from practice

Seeing the numbers Tyler Kroft put up last season at tight end — a team-high 43 catches for 573 yards, both top-10 nationally — was all Nick Arcidiacono needed to have faith in his development with the Rutgers football team. Then after the sophomore found out Kroft would likely be out for the spring with a shoulder injury, he got even more fired up.Apr 18 2014

Federico strives to overcome inconsistencies, peak in third year

Coming off two seasons plagued with injury and inconsistencies, junior placekicker Kyle Federico is confident this is his year to peak. It just might have to wait until the summer to unfold. Following the graduations of four-year long snapper Robert Jones and holder J.T. Tartacoff, the Rutgers football team’s special-teams unit is undergoing a transition phase.Apr 16 2014

Bimonte impresses Flood with decision-making, makes case to start at quarterback

Through spring practice and August training camp evaluations alone, Rutgers head football coach Kyle Flood might be hard-pressed to enter the Big Ten with someone other than Gary Nova as the starting quarterback. With 28 career starts, the senior remains the Scarlet Knights’ most proven commodity and arguably Rutgers’ most talented player at the position.Apr 16 2014

Young cornerbacks learn from new coordinator in spring

Whether it was missing a tackle, reacting a step slow to a receiver or failing to turn the head around on deep throws, Rutgers football cornerbacks went through a nightmarish 2013 campaign. The numbers are well documented at this point: a program-worst 4,056 passing yards allowed overall, including more than 400 in four different contests.Apr 14 2014

Nova learns from humility, tries to win back starting job in spring practice

When Rutgers head football coach Kyle Flood benched Gary Nova for the final three games last season, losing a streak of 28 straight starts was the least of the quarterback’s worries. Nova experienced a sense of humility — a wake-up call that he needed to find a way to reinvent himself. After the Scarlet Knights started the year 4-1, the former Don Bosco (N.J.) Prep star fell into another second-half slump, tossing 10 interceptions as Rutgers lost four of five games.Apr 9 2014

Inexperienced QB shines in first spring scrimmage

It was only the first scrimmage of the spring, and film will reveal more, but Rutgers head football coach Kyle Flood was impressed Saturday with what he saw from the naked eye of Mike Bimonte. One of three quarterbacks working with the first-team unit, the junior threw 6-for-8 for 108 yards, including a 40-yard touchdown and another rushing score, according to an unofficial stat count.Apr 7 2014