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By Greg Johnson

Rutgers tries to combat bulky Big Ten offensive lines with speed, technique

One of the prevailing notions as the Rutgers football team enters the Big Ten is that the Scarlet Knights’ front four will have a difficult time winning battles in the trenches against bulkier offensive lines. The eight conference opponents Rutgers will face this season featured offensive linemen with an average weight of more than 300 pounds last year.Apr 2 2014

Aiken gets chance to start in final season

When Johnathan Aiken talks about football to his friends and family back home in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., he cannot resist getting amped up. “This is the biggest year. This is my year,” the senior free safety said Saturday post-practice. “I feel like this is my year to shine. I’m going to the Big Ten, I’m excited.” Other members of the Rutgers football team can relate, but few have patiently waited quite like Aiken.Mar 31 2014

Five quarterbacks split equal reps to begin spring practice

With senior Gary Nova officially competing to win back the starting quarterback job, the Rutgers football team is already feeling the disadvantages of doling reps to five players at the position. Redshirt freshman Chris Laviano, sophomore Blake Rankin, junior Mike Bimonte and redshirt freshman walk-on Devin Ray evenly split reps with Nova yesterday on the first day of spring practice.Mar 26 2014

RU inks new recruiting class

A few months ago, this was supposed to be the day the Rutgers football team officially announced arguably its best recruiting class in school history. ESPN ranked the Scarlet Knights’ group of 22 verbally committed high school prospects 18th nationally in early November. Rivals rated five of Rutgers’ commits as four-star recruits.Feb 6 2014

LeGrand completes labor studies degree

Eric LeGrand has continued to inspire fans around the country with steady progress in his fight against paralysis. He received the Jimmy V Perseverance Award at the 2012 ESPYS and most recently had his No. 52 jersey retired at the Rutgers football team’s home opener Sept. 14. Now LeGrand has one more accomplishment to add to his perseverance. The former defensive tackle confirmed on Twitter yesterday that he completed his degree at the University.Jan 23 2014

MLS team drafts Knight in fourth round

For Kene Eze, what started out as a dream is now one step closer to becoming a reality. Toronto FC selected the senior forward Tuesday in the fourth round of the MLS SuperDraft. The professional club team, which won four consecutive Amway Canadian Championships from 2009-2012, took Eze with the 60th overall pick. The Sayreville, N.J., native said he wanted to continue his career only four days after the Rutgers men’s soccer team’s elimination from the AAC Tournament.Jan 23 2014

Youth expects to build on growing pains

BRONX — Kyle Flood repeatedly gave midseason reminders of the Rutgers football team’s abundant youth when answering to a string of blowout losses.As fans grew restless, injuries and inexperience were among few explanations for the downward plunge of a program once seen on the upswing in pursuit of an elusive BCS bowl berth.Jan 21 2014

Knights announce five early enrollees for spring

Rutgers announced five early enrollees for the spring semester yesterday in a press release. All are three-star recruits, including offensive lineman Marcus Applefield, tight end Logan Lister, defensive back Kam Lott, linebacker Brandon Russell and defensive lineman Eric Wiafe. Scout.com ranks Applefield at No. 31 nationally among offensive tackles. The 6-foot-6 285-pounder projects as a left tackle in college.Jan 21 2014

Flood stays noncommittal to Nova

Seeking a “consistent level of high play at the quarterback position” entering the Big Ten next season, Rutgers head football coach Kyle Flood has all options open. He left no doubt before last year’s spring practice that Gary Nova was the team’s starting quarterback, despite a porous showing in a 13-10 Russell Athletic Bowl loss to Virginia Tech.Jan 21 2014

RU fails to qualify for NCAAs

It was supposed to be the year the Rutgers men’s soccer team made a triumphant return to the NCAA Tournament. It was supposed to be a redemption season for two key Scarlet Knights who sat out most of 2012 with hip injuries. Instead Rutgers endured another transition season following a detrimental midseason hamstring injury to senior forward Kene Eze.Dec 11 2013

Rutgers accepts invite to New Era Pinstripe Bowl

All things considered, few could have guessed before the season that Dec. 28 would mark déjà vu for senior quarterback Chas Dodd. But it will. Not long after its 31-6 win over South Florida on Saturday night, the Rutgers football team received an invitation to the New Era Pinstripe Bowl against Notre Dame at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx.Dec 9 2013

Holmes fights through list of career hurdles

Senior nose tackle Isaac Holmes never thought it would come to this, but a harsh reality has crept up on him. The Rutgers football team, once 4-1 and seeking a BCS bowl, has slipped to 5-6 with only one regular season game remaining. Another loss keeps the Scarlet Knights from bowl eligibility and ends their season about a month earlier than expected.Dec 4 2013

Trickery play provides silver lining

EAST HARTFORD, Conn. — An ineligible receiver downfield negated senior holder J.T. Tartacoff’s first-career touchdown pass Nov. 29, 2012 against Louisville. Nearly a year to the day Saturday at Connecticut, Tartacoff finally secured a score, giving him more than senior quarterback Chas Dodd has this season.Dec 2 2013

Four keys to victory against No. 17 UCF for RU

Reeling from a 35-point home loss Saturday and recent off-field distractions, the Rutgers football team must respond quickly in a short game week tonight in Orlando. Here are four keys to victory for the Scarlet Knights against No. 18 Central Florida.Nov 21 2013

Sa headlines youthful core looking to bloom next season

Every offseason signals change, but entering next year the Rutgers men’s soccer team must contend with the loss of its longtime offensive leader. Senior forward Kene Eze, who led or tied the team lead in goals in each of his three seasons with the Scarlet Knights after transferring from Williams Paterson, is leaving the program.Nov 21 2013

RU makes most of injury-riddled year

As stunned members of the Rutgers men’s soccer team reluctantly inched off the Toyota Stadium turf in Frisco, Tex., last Friday night, it was not because they had something left to prove. Following what senior forward Kene Eze called a “heartbreaking” double-overtime to South Florida in the semifinals of the AAC Tournament, the Scarlet Knights gave everything they had.Nov 20 2013

Football player alleges bullying from assistant

Immediately after the Rutgers football team’s second 35-point home loss in three weeks Saturday, concerns arose about the Scarlet Knights’ focus in the wake of another athletics scandal. Former cornerback Jevon Tyree, who quit the team Nov. 6, alleged Friday that defensive coordinator Dave Cohen bullied and verbally abused him during a spring study hall session, according to an NJ.com report.Nov 18 2013

Carroo closes in on single-season touchdown mark

Leonte Carroo is accomplishing things almost unheard of for a first-year wide receiver. The sophomore, who exclusively played special teams last season, leads the Rutgers football team in every major receiving category. Carroo’s big plays — eight of his nine touchdowns have come in the fourth quarter or overtime — dazzle the fans and many of his teammates.Nov 15 2013

Placekicking competition stays open

In the midst of yet another place-kicking competition, sophomores Kyle Federico and Nick Borgese are frustrated. But it has little to do with struggling to gain traction from each other. For Federico, it has to do with his lack of consistency. He is 6-for-11 on field goals this season, most recently missing two and an extra point Nov. 2 against Temple.Nov 14 2013

Eze’s breakout gives Rutgers hope in AACs

Nearing the end of a season littered with inconsistencies, there was only one certainty for senior forward Kene Eze entering last Friday’s AAC Tournament play-in game. If the Rutgers men’s soccer team did not prevail against Cincinnati, that meant the ending of the Sayreville, N.J., native’s college career. Eze vowed Oct. 19, upon returning from a month-long hamstring injury, his season was far from over.Nov 13 2013

James hopes to improve Rutgers’ running game

After lighter workouts last week, Paul James practiced fully Sunday night for the first time since his Sept. 21 lower leg injury. The sophomore running back’s participation in two hours of drills instilled more confidence in Rutgers head football coach Kyle Flood that James will be available this week against Cincinnati.Nov 12 2013

James returns to practices after injury

With a big grin on his face, Paul James took to the podium yesterday inside the Rutgers football team’s media center. The Scarlet Knights’ leading rusher returned to practice limitedly — running without contact — for the first time since suffering a lower leg injury Sept. 21 against Arkansas. For the sophomore, those six weeks on the sideline could not have been more excruciating.Nov 7 2013

Tournament outlook appears grim for RU

Eighth place was not what the Rutgers men’s soccer team had in mind before its final three conference games, but the Scarlet Knights resigned themselves to their fate. The Knights (5-10-2, 2-5-1), winless in their last six games, know they dug themselves into this position with their inability to overcome midseason injuries and muster consistent scoring.Nov 5 2013

Federico struggles to find consistency

Kyle Federico swore his last-minute miss Aug. 29 at Fresno State would not serve as a detriment to his psyche. But seven games later, the sophomore kicker still searches for consistency. Two more missed kicks Saturday against Temple gave Federico a pedestrian 6-for-11 mark on field goals for the season. This time it nearly cost the Rutgers football team a win it severely needed.Nov 4 2013

RU ends goal drought in loss

It was only fitting that when sophomore forward J.P. Correa scored the Rutgers men’s soccer team’s first goal in 436 minutes — a three-week drought — it was too late. The Scarlet Knights were a step behind all of their opponents for nearly a month, and Saturday night in Orlando was no exception. Correa’s first goal of the season in the 88th minute came after Central Florida already punched home two scores, practically begging the Knights to show a sign of life.Nov 4 2013

Run ‘D’ hopes to redeem worst performance of season

The Rutgers football team’s patchwork in its secondary has become such a contagious issue that now even the nation’s 12th-ranked run defense is struggling. Successively in their last two games, the Scarlet Knights have allowed season-high totals in rushing yards. Yet few seem to know why. Most recently, Houston steamrolled Rutgers’ defensive front for 211 yards on the ground.Nov 1 2013

Rhule preps for scheme challenges

Whether the perceived quarterback controversy at Rutgers football practice this week was legitimate or merely a gamesmanship ploy means little to Temple head coach Matt Rhule. Knowing the Scarlet Knights intended to split practice reps between junior Gary Nova and senior Chas Dodd, Rhule saw no reason to alter the Owls’ game preparations.Nov 1 2013

RU special teams impress coach

When Houston head football coach Tony Levine received word Monday that the Scarlet Knights would start two freshman corners Saturday, he was hardly excited. Levine admits he has no clue how to pronounce rookie Anthony Cioffi’s last name, but what he sees on film speaks volumes. “He’s been a special teams guy for them who, as I’m watching the special teams film, No. 31 shows up all over the field,” Levine said Tuesday at a press conference in Houston.Oct 25 2013

Coach puts last hopes into tandem

After converting sophomore Mitchell Taintor from defender to forward earlier this month, Rutgers head men’s soccer coach Dan Donigan just needed a little more time. With senior forward Kene Eze still recovering from a hamstring injury, Donigan jumped at the chance to test out a new attacking tandem. Eze’s injury forced Donigan to reevaluate his offensive options, but he soon realized Taintor’s versatility might be more than a temporary fix.Oct 25 2013

Owls hand RU loss thanks to early goal

The Rutgers men’s soccer team had everything it wanted entering last night’s crucial contest against Temple: four days rest, a rejuvenated roster and home-field advantage. But even under their most favorable conditions in more than a month, the Scarlet Knights failed to snap a scoring drought that has snowballed to 349 consecutive minutes since Oct. 12 and a 1-0 loss.Oct 24 2013

Owls present pivotal swing game for Knights

Even with only two games remaining in the Rutgers men’s soccer team’s regular season, so much remains up for grabs in the AAC. Two mere points separate the No. 3-6 seeds for the conference tournament. A win counts for three points, while ties earn one point. The top-four seeds get home-field advantage in the quarterfinals.Oct 23 2013

O-line focuses on eliminating sack problems

As much as Rutgers head football coach Kyle Flood wishes the Scarlet Knights could pinpoint one blemish in pass protection that led to a season-high eight sacks Oct. 10 at Louisville, he knows the issue lies deeper. “There’s no one thing that I can say, ‘Hey, if we can just get this one thing straight, then all the sacks go away.’ That’s not the issue,” Flood said yesterday.Oct 23 2013

Kroft becomes more complete TE for Rutgers

When Tyler Kroft committed to the Rutgers football team in 2010, there were few qualms about his ability to catch the ball. At 6-foot-6, the Downington East (Pa.) High School product posed obvious length advantages in the receiving game. But concerns arose with the sophomore tight ends’ ability to block.Oct 22 2013

Saves help RU salvage home draw

As the Rutgers men’s soccer team and South Florida entered overtime Saturday night at Yurcak Field, freshman goalkeeper David Greczek knew something had to change. Four days earlier, Bucknell’s game-winning goal in double overtime slipped past his fingertips. Six weeks prior, Akron pushed a penalty kick past him in the 105th minute.Oct 21 2013

Rutgers drops third straight in home overtime loss

Sheer disbelief washed over the faces of members of the Rutgers men’s soccer team last night as they slowly made their way off Yurcak Field. Yet another mental lapse shattered the Scarlet Knights’ hopes of turning around a season that is steadily slipping away. Off a throw in with 8:39 left in the second overtime, Bucknell defender Alli Mayowa stole and punched through a loose ball for the 1-0 game-winner.Oct 16 2013

Coaches tab Knights fourth in conference

Coaches voted the Rutgers women’s basketball team to finish fourth this season in the AAC at the conference’s media day yesterday. The nine other coaches unanimously picked Connecticut — the defending national champion — to win the conference. Louisville — national runner-up a year ago — was chosen to finish second in its final season in the conference before moving on to the ACC. South Florida projects to finish just behind at No. 3.Oct 15 2013

RU tries to overcome injuries at Yurcak

Rutgers men’s head soccer coach Dan Donigan knew injuries would hit the Scarlet Knights this season, but he did not anticipate the stark ineffectiveness of the team’s contingency plans. Donigan touted the Knights’ depth early this season, but a distinct production drop-off in the absence of a key scorer has overshadowed that collection of talent.Oct 15 2013

Another injury creates offensive dilemma in loss

Before the Rutgers men’s soccer team even took the field Saturday night at Cardinal Park, another demoralizing blow struck the Scarlet Knights. Sophomore midfielder Mitchell Taintor had appendectomy surgery Thursday and is listed day-to-day. Head coach Dan Donigan does not expect him to play tomorrow’s game against Bucknell.Oct 14 2013

Early fouls, penalty kick doom Knights at UConn

Connecticut pushed across a goal so quickly last night in Storrs, Conn., the Rutgers men’s soccer team only had time to shoot once before conceding it. The Huskies overwhelmed the Scarlet Knights right from the start, pressuring Rutgers into committing four fouls in the first 16 minutes. The fourth penalty came at a significant cost.Oct 10 2013

Eze gets healthy for UConn

For four games after senior forward Kene Eze went down with a hamstring injury, Rutgers head men’s soccer coach Dan Donigan needed to get creative. Without their premier striker’s ability to stretch the field, the Scarlet Knights struggled in tighter trench battles, scoring only one goal to win one game in that span.Oct 9 2013

Sophomore’s goal redeems Rutgers’ bad loss

The Rutgers men’s soccer team was candid in how embarrassed it felt after a 3-0 loss Wednesday night at home against Hofstra. More than halfway through their season, the Scarlet Knights deemed the blowout inexcusable. So when they stepped back onto Yurcak Field on Saturday night against Cincinnati, the Knights made sure it would not happen again.Oct 7 2013

Knights seek stability against Bearcats

With its season continuing to swing like a pendulum, the Rutgers men’s soccer team is searching for answers. The Scarlet Knights (4-5-1, 1-1) suffered their worst loss of the season Wednesday night at Yurcak Field in a 3-0 shutout against Hofstra. It occurred after perhaps Rutgers’ most impressive win last Saturday at Memphis, a nationally-ranked team at the time.Oct 4 2013

Early mistakes spell home defeat

Fighting frustration after surrendering the game’s first goal in the 17th minute last night, the Rutgers men’s soccer team succumbed to a fundamental miscue last night that sealed a daunting fate. About two minutes later, sophomore midfielder Mael Corboz received an inbound along the sideline and nonchalantly kicked it back towards the center backs.Oct 3 2013

Rookie’s first goal instills confidence

Overwhelming joy washed over freshman midfielder Erik Sa after he crisply placed a header into the net’s left corner for the game-winning goal Saturday night at Memphis. The rookie delivered his first collegiate goal in the 73rd minute to break a scoreless tie in a game the Rutgers men’s soccer team had to win to avoid starting 0-2 in conference play.Oct 1 2013

RU topples ranked AAC foe on road

It took 274 minutes of play Saturday night in Memphis, but the Rutgers men’s soccer team’s first goal in almost three games came at a most opportune time. According to head coach Dan Donigan, all the Scarlet Knights needed was one strong road win to position themselves for a solid first RPI and to remedy two scoreless losses.Sep 30 2013

Offensive woes plague RU in road loss

Playing its first road game in nearly a month, the Rutgers men’s soccer team ran into similar problems last night at Drexel that plagued the Scarlet Knights last Friday at Yurcak Field. With senior forward Kene Eze sidelined because of a leg injury, the Knights failed to muster any offensive execution in Dragon territory.Sep 25 2013

RU pushes for depth at Drexel

If or when Kene Eze returns to the Rutgers men’s soccer team this season remains uncertain, but the Scarlet Knights intend to press forward as if he will not be in the lineup tonight at Drexel.Sep 24 2013

Injury leads to RU’s first scoreless game of year

As senior forward Kene Eze limped off Yurcak Field with 37:18 left in the first half Friday night, a bit of coincidence hit the Rutgers men’s soccer team.Head coach Dan Donigan spoke Tuesday of the importance of exploiting depth in practice to prepare for potential injuries as the season wears on. It was put to the test in the Scarlet Knights’ AAC opener, as an undisclosed leg injury sidelined Eze for the remainder of the game.Sep 23 2013

Rutgers enters AAC play with momentum

As the Rutgers men’s soccer team prepares to begin conference play tonight at Yurcak Field, head coach Dan Donigan cautions the Scarlet Knights to not take SMU (1-5) lightly.Sep 20 2013

Forward looks to get going offensively

There was a time when sophomore forward J.P. Correa was considered the future of the Rutgers men’s soccer team. As a rookie two years ago, the Montville (N.J.) High School product led the Scarlet Knights in scoring with 17 points in 20 starts.Sep 19 2013

Coach seeks to nurse health of key players

With the Rutgers men’s soccer team riding a two-game winning streak and beginning to hit its stride, head coach Dan Donigan feels nearly everything is situated fundamentally. Since losing to then-No. 5 Akron Sept. 8 in double overtime, the Scarlet Knights (3-2-1) have scored three goals in back-to-back games.Sep 18 2013

Offense gets off to hot start for RU

The Rutgers men’s soccer team has won only half of its first six games, but reason for optimism may lie in the Scarlet Knights’ offensive unit. So far the Scarlet Knights have averaged more than two goals per game, outscoring opponents, 13-8.Sep 17 2013

Rutgers rebounds with weekend sweep

Sophomore midfielder Mael Corboz corner kicked a pass to senior forward Kene Eze with 22:44 remaining in the second half yesterday at Yurcak Field.Eze flicked the ball to sophomore defender Mitchell Taintor for a header into South Carolina’s net, giving the Rutgers men’s soccer team a commanding 3-0 lead.Sep 16 2013

Rutgers honors LeGrand with No. 52 jersey retirement ceremony

From deep within a tunnel below the student section of High Point Solutions Stadium, Eric LeGrand made his way onto the field Saturday in front of a rabid crowd. With Rutgers head football coach Kyle Flood’s left arm wrapped around his motorized wheelchair, LeGrand became the first player in the Scarlet Knights’ 144-year history to have his jersey retired.Sep 16 2013

Cornerback makes quick transition from wideout

Ian Thomas walks around the Hale Center with a grin these days, and he has every reason to. Less than a year ago, the redshirt freshman cornerback played wide receiver on the scout team, lining up against future NFL corners Logan Ryan, Brandon Jones and Marcus Cooper.Sep 13 2013

RU sets sights on home sweep

Nothing irks Rutgers men’s soccer head coach Dan Donigan more than knowing the Scarlet Knights (1-2-1) could easily be 4-0 right now. Forget the fact that Rutgers is outscoring its opponents, 7-6, or that the Knights’ two losses came in games they held the lead for nearly half of regulation.Sep 13 2013

Knights push for higher shot totals, corner kicks

Slumped in his Hale Center office after the Rutgers men’s soccer team reviewed film Tuesday morning, head coach Dan Donigan could not get his mind off one glaring statistic: shot distribution. “If you look at our stat sheet, we’ve given up 46 shots in the second half,” Donigan said. “We’ve only taken 16.”Sep 12 2013

Defender returns from season-ending hip injury

For Joe Setchell, the last several months before the season revolved around weight lifting, strengthening his lower body and regaining mobility in his hips at a rehab center. That was all the senior defender could do as he recovered from hip surgery. Setchell suffered a season-ending injury in just the second game last year for the Rutgers men’s soccer team.Sep 11 2013

Late goal crushes potential upset against Akron

For 85 minutes of action at Yurcak Field yesterday, it appeared that the Rutgers men’s soccer team might rewrite the script that plagued its first two games.Sep 9 2013

Defense makes up for letdown at Fresno State

When the Rutgers football team’s defense took the field Saturday at High Point Solutions Stadium, it knew it needed to make amends. Never before Aug. 29’s season opener at Fresno State had the Scarlet Knights scored 51 points in a game and lost.Sep 9 2013

RU hopes to rebound at home

Seeking redemption following a winless opening weekend in Durham, N.C., the Rutgers men’s soccer team begins tonight what it believes will be the perfect remedy: five straight home games.Sep 6 2013

Coleman inches closer to historic record

He has nearly two full seasons of eligibility remaining, and Brandon Coleman is already on the verge of becoming the Rutgers football team’s all-time touchdown receptions leader. After finding the end zone twice in the Scarlet Knights’ season opener at Fresno State, the junior wide receiver needs just two more scores to tie Tim Brown’s school record of 20.Sep 6 2013

RU plans to strengthen mentality

When the Rutgers men’s soccer team returned to practice this week, something bothered the Scarlet Knights more than their winless weekend in Durham, N.C. After all, during their first road trip last season, the Knights lost twice and were outscored, 4-0.Sep 5 2013

Unpredictable outcomes frustrate Rutgers

Though the Rutgers men’s soccer team has moved on from its disappointing first weekend, the unpredictable nature of the sport makes it difficult to forget. With every mistake being critical, most games remain uncertain until the 90th minute. Blowouts are uncommon, and wins come at a premium.Sep 5 2013

Rookie adds depth to RU

His middle name is Rutger and much of his family attended the University, so freshman midfielder Erik Sa was counted on before he even stepped foot on campus. Those expectations carry weight on the field, where he boasts plenty of accolades.Sep 4 2013

RU faces difficult schedule

Rutgers head men’s soccer coach Dan Donigan will not back down from his preseason claims, nor make any concessions. He knew what he was getting into when he made the Scarlet Knights’ schedule. And he has no regrets, despite what has transpired through two games.Sep 3 2013

James becomes starting RB

Paul James has been overlooked since high school. As a Group I player, the sophomore running back thinks recruiters may have looked down on his competition. He also dealt with a nagging high ankle sprain his senior year at Glassboro (N.J.) High School, and no schools were willing to offer him a scholarship.Sep 3 2013

Knights fall short of Big East Tournament

The task at hand for the Rutgers softball team in its regular season finale yesterday was clear — win and it would be in this week’s Big East Tournament field. But securing that coveted victory proved elusive all afternoon at the RU Softball Complex, as the Scarlet Knights could not quite dig out of an early hole, falling to Pittsburgh, 6-3. May 6 2013

Scarce hitting eludes Knights of postseason

An inability to string together hits in bunches plagued the Rutgers softball team throughout much of the second half of the season, and it could not stop the trend in its biggest game of the year. The Scarlet Knights put together only three hits yesterday at home against Pittsburgh with its season on the line. May 6 2013

Senior pays dividends in final appearance

In her final outing Saturday for the Rutgers softball team, senior righthander Abbey Houston laid everything on the line. With the Scarlet Knights fighting for a Big East Tournament appearance, the New Egypt, N.J., native helped keep their season alive. May 6 2013

Postseason depends on series finale

For the Rutgers softball team, it is only fitting a postseason appearance comes down to this weekend with Pittsburgh. A marathon year that began with preseason workouts at the Bubble in January and spanned 53 regular season games is now reduced to just one home series with everything on the line. May 3 2013

Bats return for Knights in victories

The Rutgers softball team’s prolonged slump is finally over. The Scarlet Knights won back-to-back games yesterday for the first time in three weeks, a span in which they had previously scored more than five runs just once. May 2 2013

Reeling RU?looks to solve hitting woes

Entering the final week of the regular season, the Rutgers softball team is searching for its identity. A Scarlet Knights club that won six of its first 10 conference games is suddenly struggling offensively and has dropped eight of nine Big East games since. Apr 30 2013

O-linemen adjust to new spots

While most of the Rutgers football team’s starting positions remained fixtures through the duration of spring practice, the offensive line underwent change. After issues with run blocking and pass protection on blitzes during April 20’s scrimmage, head coach Kyle Flood made some significant changes up front. Apr 30 2013

Hawks soar past struggling RU

One thing became clear by the end of the Rutgers softball team’s 6-3 home loss to Monmouth yesterday — the Scarlet Knights are pressing. Having lost six of its last eight games entering the contest, Rutgers (25-22, 6-10) could produce only two hits off Hawks (27-13) righthander Lauren Sulick through six innings. Apr 26 2013

’Cuse sweeps RU to put Knights in hole

Time is running out for the Rutgers softball team. It preferred a sweep of Syracuse and arguably needed a split. The Scarlet Knights earned neither yesterday, sloppily dropping both games of its home doubleheader against the Orange to fall into seventh place in the Big East. Apr 25 2013

Knights pitchers rest arms in middle of marathon year

While their teammates took the field and simulated live game situations this past weekend, the Rutgers softball team’s three pitchers were — at first glance — nowhere in sight. Typically, sophomore lefthander Alyssa Landrith and freshman righthander Dresden Maddox and senior righthander Abbey Houston throw to the Scarlet Knights hitters during practice, but these are not typical times. Apr 25 2013

RU simulates game situations

Strict, demanding and taxing all describe the scene of the Rutgers softball team’s practices these days. Out are times of casually scooping groundballs and shagging popups, and in is a regime hardly different from a series or tournament game. The Scarlet Knights briefly spent about half an hour warming up with stretching and fielding repetitions Sunday before practice ensued for an hour and a half. Apr 25 2013

Bragg reflects on lost year

Before the season began Feb. 15, shortstop Ashley Bragg emphasized she wanted her senior campaign to be something special. In each of her first three seasons, the Rutgers softball team was knocked off in the first round of the Big East Tournament. Apr 25 2013

Fullback aids in several aspects

Few benefit more from the return of junior fullback Michael Burton to the Rutgers football team this spring than junior running back Savon Huggins. Burton, who needed season-ending surgery after breaking his ankle Sept. 22 at Arkansas, played in only four games last season. In the Scarlet Knights’ pro-style offense, he plays a pivotal role in blocking up front. Apr 22 2013

Knights win behind outfielder’s bat

After it split a doubleheader yesterday against Stony Brook, the Rutgers softball team showed an instant sense of urgency in the batter’s box, pounding its way to nine runs in the first four innings to down Iona, 9-5, yesterday at the RU Softball Complex. Apr 19 2013

Reliever aids split of double header against Seawolves

For more than 10 innings yesterday, the Rutgers softball team was in danger of having a nonconference team sweep it at home for the first time this season. The Scarlet Knights offense responded in the bottom of the fourth inning, slugging four runs as Rutgers eventually salvaged the second game of a doubleheader with Stony Brook, 7-1. Apr 18 2013

RU looks to rebound from weekend sweep

Throughout the season, Rutgers head softball coach Jay Nelson stressed the importance of stringing together wins in bunches. When the Scarlet Knights return to midweek game action today at the RU Softball Complex, starting a hot streak is precisely the focus. Rutgers (23-18, 6-8) faces Stony Brook (22-17) in a doubleheader this afternoon, followed by one contest tomorrow against Iona (8-28). Apr 17 2013

RU focuses on Big?East Tourney seed

After it blew its largest late lead of the season Sunday against Notre Dame and dropped three straight conference games, the Rutgers softball team has dug itself into another hole. The Scarlet Knights squandered a chance to pull into fourth place in the Big East standings and almost certainly secure a spot in the conference tournament. Apr 16 2013

Sophomore aims for breakout season

Sophomore defensive tackle Darius Hamilton cannot resist being a student of the game. The first five-star recruit in Rutgers football history spent the majority of his freshman campaign learning and fighting for snaps. As one of few freshmen to truly see game action this past season, Hamilton’s numbers — 17 total tackles and 1.5 tackles for a loss — were less than flashy. But the West Paterson, N.J., native understands that it is a process. Apr 15 2013

RU fails to salvage game against Irish

A three-run home run off the bat of Notre Dame catcher Cassidy Whidden in South Bend, Ind., yesterday carried with it demoralization for the Rutgers softball team in its 8-6 loss. Throughout the Scarlet Knights’ season, head coach Jay Nelson has made a habit of taking blame for the low points his team faces. He did so again yesterday after the Knights led, 6-1, entering the final inning. Apr 15 2013

Rutgers tosses home shutout

After Princeton loaded the bases on senior righthander Abbey Houston in the top of the fourth inning, Rutgers head softball coach Jay Nelson had seen enough. With the Scarlet Knights clinging to a 3-0 lead yesterday, he turned to freshman righthander Dresden Maddox to secure the final two outs. The Kennesaw, Ga., native did just that, fanning two consecutive batters in what signaled a turning point of the game. Apr 12 2013

RU splits road doubleheader

For all of his team’s well-rounded performances, Rutgers head softball coach Jay Nelson cannot quite figure out what eludes the Scarlet Knights from stringing together larger win streaks. He cautioned the Knights to not take Villanova lightly, but even Nelson was stumped by what he saw yesterday in Villanova, Pa. After the Knights tagged righthander Kate Poppe for six runs in two innings in Game 1 of a doubleheader, Rutgers could muster little more than three hits against Villanova’s ace in Game 2 as the Knights split the series. Apr 11 2013

Softball: Knights refuse to take Wildcats lightly

Little has changed in the Rutgers softball team’s midweek game preparations. Even with Villanova (13-19, 1-8) — the last-place team in the Big East — next on the agenda for the Scarlet Knights (21-14, 5-4) today in Villanova, Pa., they see no reason to relax. “Every conference game is going to be competitive,” said head coach Jay Nelson. “Villanova had a pretty good preseason but doesn’t have a good conference record, so they are desperate for wins — which makes them very dangerous. Their conference season is on the line this week.” Apr 10 2013

Men's Basketball: Ex-Colonial says Rice used gay slurs

Softball: Deflating loss fuels resilient Knights

As sophomore leftfielder Chandler Howard drifted back to the warning track Saturday at the RU Softball Complex, it spelled trouble for the Rutgers softball team. A ball off the bat of Georgetown shortstop Alexandria Anttila in the top of the seventh inning landed just out of the reach of Howard’s outstretched glove over the wall to give the Hoyas a 12-11 lead for the eventual win. Apr 9 2013

RU climbs above .500 in Big East play

Faced with a decisive rubber game of a pivotal Big East series for the second straight weekend, the Rutgers softball team again turned to sophomore lefthander Alyssa Landrith. Once again, the Scarlet Knights’ ace delivered with her sixth complete game of the season as Rutgers (21-14, 5-4) defeated Georgetown, 3-1, yesterday at the RU Softball Complex. Landrith allowed only four hits and one walk, as she routinely was ahead in the count to keep the Hoyas (14-24, 4-4) off-balance. Apr 8 2013

Rutgers earns split with Pride on road

The Rutgers softball team is no stranger to bucking trends. The Scarlet Knights ended South Florida’s 17-game win streak March 23, and they made program history again last night by splitting a doubleheader with Hofstra in Hempstead, N.Y. It marked Rutgers’ first win in 11 tries against the Pride since 2004, a team with wins in 15 of its last 16 games. The Knights (19-13, 3-3) nearly swept the series, falling just short in the second game, 6-5. Apr 4 2013

Pitching sets tone for Knights

Over the last seven games, two players have exclusively handled the Rutgers softball team’s pitching duties and for good reason. In that span, sophomore lefthander Alyssa Landrith and freshman righthander Dresden Maddox allowed only eight earned runs in 48 and one-third innings — good for a 1.16 ERA. To further put it in perspective, the Scarlet Knights (18-12, 3-3) surrendered an earned run in only one inning of action in their last five games. Apr 2 2013

Rutgers pitching halts Huskies

All sophomore pitcher Alyssa Landrith and senior catcher Kaci Madden could do was pound their gloves together in triumph when the Rutgers softball team secured a 6-0 shutout over Connecticut at the Rutgers Softball Complex on Saturday. After splitting Friday’s doubleheader with the Huskies, the Scarlet Knights (18-12, 3-3) earned their first series win over UConn since 1998. Landrith was dominant once more on the mound for Rutgers. She hurled seven innings of three-hit ball, striking out eight and walking only one batter. Apr 1 2013

Knights sweep Hawks at home

Dresden Maddox promptly jogged off the mound and high-fived her teammates after the Rutgers softball team completed its second shutout of the afternoon yesterday at the RU Softball Complex. The freshman righthander went the distance for the second straight time as the Scarlet Knights downed Hartford, 7-0, in the second game of their doubleheader. Mar 28 2013

RU returns home for cold games

For more than a month, the Rutgers softball team has competed almost exclusively in warm climates. Today, the Scarlet Knights (14-11) begin home action with a doubleheader against Hartford (8-14). A 45 percent chance of rain and snow is in the forecast, according to accuweather.com. While conditions will likely be colder than what Rutgers faced in Tampa, Fla., the Knights battled through similar weather in their second tournament, winning 4 of 5 games. Mar 27 2013

Historic feats highlight strong season

Luisa Leal called together her demoralized teammates Saturday in Chapel Hill, N.C., after the Rutgers gymnastics team failed to qualify for the NCAA Regionals. The team was frustrated with being foiled at the threshold of the top 36 nationally, but the junior implored the Scarlet Knights to not lose sight of the big picture. Despite failing to finish strong at the East Atlantic Gymnastics League Championships, Rutgers raised the standard of its program this season with historic accomplishments. Mar 26 2013

Knights snap USF win streak

Riding a six-game winning streak and a 13-9 nonconference record, the Rutgers softball team began Big East action Saturday in Tampa, Fla., seizing one win in a tight three-game series against South Florida. Two of the three contests were decided in the final inning, and the competitive play culminated Sunday with a nine-inning affair in the rubber game of the series. The Scarlet Knights lost, 4-3, as a walk-off homerun by shortstop Kourtney Salvarola sealed the game for the Bulls (24-11, 2-1). Mar 25 2013

Regional tournament eludes RU

Slowly but surely, Louis Levine consoled his gymnasts. As members of the Rutgers gymnastics team trudged off the floor of the Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C., on Saturday, the head coach urged his team to keep perspective. The Scarlet Knights finished seventh among eight teams at the East Atlantic Gymnastics League Championships with a score of 193.925 — a mark Rutgers knew would not land it a spot in the top 36 for the NCAA Regionals. Mar 25 2013