HOMECOMING AT THE
POINT
JENNIFER MIGUEL-HELLMAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
G2
G A M E DAY
OCTOBER 14, 2011
T H E DA I LY TA R G U M
KnightsGameday RUTGERS VS NAVY
GAME 4: High Point Solutions Stadium, 2 p.m. TV: ESPN3 RADIO: 1450 AM
[
INSIDE the NUMBERS
SCARLET KNIGHTS (4-1)
NAVY (2-3)
PASSING CMP YDS TD INT. AVG. 0 103.0 G. Nova 47.1% 412 4
CMP YDS TD INT. AVG. PASSING K. Proctor 54.4% 441 6 3 88.2
RUSHING NO. YDS TD LNG AVG. 91 243 0 30 J. Jamison 2.7 89 4 11 36 S. Huggins 2.5
RUSHING K. Proctor A. Teich
NO. YDS TD LNG AVG. 4.8 109 524 7 75 5.2 79 408 1 38
RECEIVING NO. YDS TD LNG AVG. 45 455 5 32 10.1 M. Sanu J. Martinek 12 145 1 60 12.1 M. Harrison 10 167 1 37 16.7 9 112 0 21 12.4 Q. Pratt
RECEIVING B. Turner G. Greene M. Aiken B. Snelson
NO. YDS TD 6 136 2 6 59 2 5 100 1 3 45 0
TKL SCK 2 45 0 26 25 2.5
DEFENSE
K. Greene L. Ryan S. Beauharnais JENNIFER MIGUEL-HELLMAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Defensive tackle Scott Vallone anchors a front seven tasked with limiting Navy’s triple-option attack. The junior has 11 tackles this season, including five for a loss with a forced fumble and a recovery.
Triple option forces year-round practice BY TYLER BARTO ASSOCIATE SPORTS EDITOR
Rutgers head football coach Greg Schiano knows all too well the threat Navy poses. The Scarlet Knights lost to the Midshipmen, 2321, in 2008, the teams’ last meeting. He plans for their triple-option offense during the offseason, throughout bye weeks and even after games. Navy’s unique scheme presents matchup problems for power conference opponents with its multiple looks and misdirection. Schiano was not the only witness. “Ask South Carolina that question. The 10th-ranked team in the country and they’re hanging on for their life [against Navy],” Schiano said. “Ohio State a couple years ago, Navy opened up there and had them beat.” The Knights defense allowed only 26 points in its first two Big East games, but the Navy option attack presents a different challenge. It star ts with the of fensive line, which Schiano called the best Midshipmen unit he saw in recent memor y. Its star ting five does not hesitate to cut block to prevent defensive linemen from
penetrating and making plays in the backfield. “It’s vicious,” Schiano said. The Knights last played a triple-option attack last season against Army, which nearly earned a victor y at New Meadowlands Stadium. But Navy kept up with recent trends on offense, Schiano said. “We have to be able to move the football on these guys because … like everybody else, they’ve gone now to the no-huddle,” he said. “So they’re running no-huddle [and] triple-option.” Defending the option, and inevitably the fullback dive, starts up front. The Knights held the Navy offense below its rushing average per game during the teams’ previous four contests, but only senior Justin Francis was around in 2008. Navy quar terback Kriss Proctor leads the team in rushing, but Schiano praised fullback Alexander Teich, who served a one-game suspension last week against Southern Mississippi. “We obviously know if they’re able to establish the fullback, it’s going to be a long day,” said junior defensive tackle Scott Vallone. “If we limit him, then we’ll be able to limit their offense.”
While the Midshipmen predicate their offense on the run, the threat of the pass lingers. The Knights intercepted 12 passes through five games, but they figure to earn significantly less chances through the air at High Point Solutions Stadium. Proctor threw only 57 passes to start the season, but sophomore cornerback Logan Ryan said the passing risk remains. “Navy counts on the big play — corners falling asleep and the secondary falling asleep,” said Ryan, who recorded his first career interceptions against Pittsburgh. “That’s how they need to score points. They need to hit two or three of those a game.” Schiano opted for the Knights nickel defense to match up with Navy’s offense, but may not need to this time around. Former safety Khaseem Greene’s move to linebacker gives Rutgers a de facto defensive back closer to the line of scrimmage. “Well, you need speed, and there is no doubt,” Schiano said. “The other thing that I don’t like is we haven’t played Navy since 2008. Their team speed is much better on offense. I haven’t studied the defense quite as much … but on offense, they look faster.”
]
INT 0 2 2
NC Central N. Carolina Ohio Syracuse Pittsburgh Navy Louisville West Virginia South Florida Army Cincinnati Connecticut
M. Warrick T. Bush B. French
AVG. 22.7 9.8 20.0 15.0
TKL SCK 41 0 32 0 24 1
INT 0 1 0
INJURIES Out — OL L. Nix
INJURIES Probable — DE M. Booker, DE Jamil Merrell Out — S R. Knight SCHEDULE Sept. 1 Sept. 10 Sept. 24 Oct. 1 Oct. 8 Oct. 15 Oct. 21 Oct. 29 Nov. 5 Nov. 12 Nov. 19 Nov. 26
DEFENSE
LNG 43 27 44 33
W, 48-0 L, 24-22 W, 38-26 W, 19-16 W, 34-10 2 p.m. 8 p.m. TBA TBA 3:30 p.m. TBA TBA
SCHEDULE Sept. 3 Sept. 10 Sept. 17 Oct. 1 Oct. 8 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 29 Nov. 5 Nov. 12 Nov. 19 Dec. 10
Delaware W. Kentucky South Carolina Air Force Southern Miss. Rutgers East Carolina Notre Dame Troy SMU San Jose State Army
W, 40-17 W, 40-14 L, 24-21 L, 35-34 L, 63-35 2 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. TBA 4 p.m. 2:30 p.m.
Key Matchup Rutgers defensive line vs. FB Alexander Teich Teich, Navy’s primary triple-option threat, sat out the Midshipmen’s last game against Southern Mississippi after earning a suspension. The Knights defensive line faces a Navy offensive line that will cut block to prevent penetration into the backfield.
PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP: OFFENSE
MOHAMED SANU Wide Receiver
ANDRE CIVIL Tackle
DESMOND WYNN Guard
CALEB RUCH Center
ANTWAN LOWERY Guard
KALEB JOHNSON Tackle
D.C. JEFFERSON Tight end
MARK HARRISON Wide Receiver
GARY NOVA Quarterback
JOE MARTINEK Fullback
JAWAN JAMISON Running Back
Junior 6’-2”, 215 lbs.
Sophomore 6’-3”, 275 lbs.
Senior 6’-6”, 295 lbs.
Senior 6’-4”, 298 lbs.
Sophomore 6’-4”, 301 lbs.
Freshman 6’-4”, 298 lbs.
Junior 6’-6”, 258 lbs
Junior 6’-3”, 230 lbs
Freshman 6’-2”, 210 lbs
Senior 6’-0”, 220 lbs
R-Freshman 5’-8”, 198 lbs
BRANDON JONES Cornerback
DURON HARMON Strong Safety
DAVID ROWE Free Safety
LOGAN RYAN Cornerback
Junior 6’-1”, 186 lbs
Junior 6’-1”, 201 lbs
Senior 6’-0”, 195 lbs
Sophomore 6’-0”, 190 lbs
PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP: DEFENSE
MARCUS THOMPSON Right end
JUSTIN FRANCIS Tackle
SCOTT VALLONE Tackle
MANNY ABREU Left end
JAMAL MERRELL Linebacker
STEVE BEAUHARNAIS
Linebacker
KHASEEM GREENE Linebacker
Sophomore 6’-2”, 260 lbs
Senior 6’-4”, 275 lbs
Junior 6’-3”, 275 lbs
Senior 6’-3”, 260 lbs
Sophomore 6’-4”, 220 lbs
Junior 6’-2”, 235 lbs
Junior 6’-1”, 220 lbs
G AMEDAY
T H E DA I LY TA R G U M
OCTOBER 14, 2011
G3
KNIGHT NUGGETS BY THE NUMBERS Navy turned the ball over Navy’s Kriss Proctor rushed only six times this season, for 123 yards and threw for but something will have to 102 more last week against give against Rutgers, which Southern Miss, and repeat 100-yard performances would make him the first leads the nation with 22 takeaways. Option pitches present an opportunity, Schiano said. Navy quarterback to accomplish the feat.
6
100
The Scarlet Knights allowed 289 rushing yards the last time they faced this type of offense — last season against Army. Schiano realizes his defense might give up some yards, but is willing to accept it.
289
A Rutgers player earned Big East Player of the Week honors each of the past three weeks on either offense, defense or special teams: Mohamed Sanu, Steve Beauharnais, Jamall Merrell and Logan Ryan.
3
BIG QUESTION
Can Navy’s fullback pick up where he left off before a suspension? Alexander Teich averages 102 yards per game and 4.8 per carry, but he missed Navy’s last game due to suspension. He will once again be a focal point of the offense at Rutgers.
NAVY FB A. TEICH
THE ADVANTAGE GOES TO ... OFFENSE
It is not pretty to watch, but Navy’s triple-option offense works. It averages 463.4 yards per game.
DEFENSE
Rutgers’ 20th-ranked defense should be favored against most opponents, including Navy.
COACHING
Schiano recognizes the difficulty of defending the triple option and keeps a file on every form of it.
JENNIFER MIGUEL-HELLMAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Senior fullback Joe Martinek’s 60-yard screen pass reception for a touchdown last week was his longest play from scrimmage since a 61-yard touchdown run as a sophomore at Maryland.
HISTORY
The all-time series is tied at 11, but Rutgers last left Navy with a loss and 0-3 start to 2008.
MOMENTUM
Navy lost each of its past three games, while Rutgers comes off a dominant Big East victor y.
BY TYLER BARTO ASSOCIATE SPORTS EDITOR
X-FACTOR
Savon Huggins had his best game against Pitt, and controlling the clock will be vital against Navy.
RUTGERS WINS IF ... IT CONTAINS
NAVY
NAVY WINS IF ... IT KEEPS
RUTGERS’
AND LIMITS ITS
OFFENSE OFF THE
FEW BIG-PLAY
FIELD AND OFF
OPPORTUNITIES
THE SCOREBOARD
Navy will pound the ball with the run game and take a few shots downfield. Staying awake in the secondary will be vital.
Navy’s run-heavy offense will help it control the clock, but it will still have to stop Rutgers when it does have the ball.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“I love the fact that we play the academies, so maybe it’s the traditionalist in me. We’re so grateful for what these kids do for our country.”
Martinek shows explosion at FB
GREG SCHIANO HEAD COACH
FINAL VERDICT
RUTGERS, 27-13 Rutgers’ defense continues to shine, limiting Navy and setting up easy offensive scores.
If there was any doubt a lingering ankle injur y last season hobbled Joe Mar tinek, the senior fullback erased it with only one play Saturday against Pittsburgh. Sophomore guard Antwan Lower y thought he could keep up, but Mar tinek blazed past the 6-foot-4, 301-pounder to pay dir t. “I had him by a couple steps, but then I looked to my side and he torched me,” Lower y said. “The feeling of seeing Joe getting in the end zone was pretty awesome.” Mar tinek’s 60-yard touchdown reception was the Rutgers football team’s longest play from scrimmage through five games. The feat did not belong to junior wide receiver Mohamed Sanu, he of 45 receptions, or freshman running back Savon Huggins, who owns four touchdown runs. “Joe’s always good with the ball in his hands,” said head coach Greg Schiano. “Catching passes, that’s not the issue.” The former running back continues to develop as the Scarlet Knights’ starting fullback. The production was there — he busted off a long run against Ohio and hauled in five passes against Syracuse. He was a reliable check-down receiver for sophomore Chas Dodd, and showed burst in the backfield for freshman Gar y Nova. But blocking remains Schiano’s teaching point with Mar tinek, who faced the same dilemma Brian Leonard dealt with in 2006 as a senior. Mar tinek watched film of Leonard during the offseason and took mental notes from for-
mer fullback Jack Corcoran, his lead blocker for two seasons. “I was still listening to what the coaches were telling Jack — talking to him, seeing how he would see things and he would feel things,” Mar tinek said. “The more people I get to talk to, the more I learn.” One of the people Mar tinek consulted was first-year of fensive coordinator Frank Cignetti, who brought his prostyle system with him in the of fseason from Pittsburgh. Cignetti helped churn out NFL prospects at fullback and tight end during his two seasons in western Pennsylvania, although none changed posi-
JOE MARTINEK tions like Mar tinek. Martinek continues to learn from the Knights coaching staff, although he likely will not master the position in only one season, his last in Piscataway. “It’s interesting having a new of fensive coordinator and talking to him and seeing how he sees things,” he said. “The more people you meet, the more you learn from them.” Although the learning curve is still apparent, Martinek is different than the player forced into non-contact drills during spring practice after ankle surgery. He could not implement Cignetti’s vision in practice, settling for a seat in the Knights’ meeting rooms and
along the sideline during Rutgers’ Scarlet-White game. He watched as Schiano plugged in Marcus Thompson, now at defensive end, with the Rutgers of fense along with redshir t freshman Michael Bur ton, a high school running back. During that time, he even wondered what his role in the Knights’ new-look attack would resemble. Then there was the issue of when Mar tinek would return from surger y, which relegated the Hopatcong, N.J., native into a black no-contact jersey. The experience, like the others this season, was new for Mar tinek, who five years ago yesterday set the New Jersey all-time high school rushing record at Hopatcong High School. “I just wanted to be the best I could be at this position and help the team win,” he said. “When we star ted, I had no idea what they wanted from me. I just wanted to take it one day at a time. Whatever they asked of me, I just wanted to do it.” Physically rejuvenated, Mar tinek flashed the form he displayed during his sophomore campaign, when he nearly eclipsed 1,000 yards rushing. While his role diminished, he still has a knack for the big play, evidenced by his 60-yard scamper against the Panthers. He even creates plays for others, opening holes for Huggins around the goal line and redshir t freshman Jawan Jamison ever ywhere in between. “They’re young guys,” Mar tinek said. “This is their first real experience, and same for me at fullback.”
G4
GAM
OCTOBER 14, 2011
BLOCK PAR JENNIFER MIGUEL-HELLMAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Sophomores Andre Civil, above, and David Osei began splitting time at left tackle last week, when Osei moved from center.
Undersized sophomores split time at left tackle BY STEVEN MILLER SPORTS EDITOR
Desmond Wynn notices subtle differences between the two linemen who line up beside him at left tackle, but not in their body type. Andre Civil’s 6-foot-3, 275pound frame and David Osei’s 6foot-4, 280-pound listed measurements are similar to each other, but not many other left tackles. Typically home to the strongest, quickest, biggest, marquee offensive linemen, a former defensive tackle and a sophomore who started the first four games at center occupy the left tackle spot at Rutgers. “The only things that’s not prototypical [about Civil] is he’s not 295 pounds or 300 pounds,” Schiano said. “He’s 280, but he’s strong and has long arms. He’s athletic. It’s not gone as well as I want, but not any of the positions on the offensive line have.” That includes center, which Osei occupied to start the season. Fifth-year senior Caleb Ruch took over last week against Pittsburgh and will remain at the position this week against Navy. Osei’s move creates competition with Civil that never truly existed in the early going. Fifth-year senior Desmond Stapleton started every game at left tackle last season but moved to the right side in the spring, started two games there and last played against North Carolina before Kaleb Johnson took his starting spot. Osei wrestled snaps away from Civil last week. The competition figures to continue, although Osei’s move appears to be an attempt to ease his burden. “There’s less responsibility at left tackle,” Schiano said. “At center you have to make
JENNIFER MIGUEL-HELLMAN
all the line calls and all the front IDs. There’s a lot of work that happens at the center position, and then you have that little thing of snapping the ball, as well. And then you have to block. There’s two gigantic extra pieces when you’re at center that doesn’t compare to any other position.” Now Osei’s responsibility is often blocking the opponents’ best defensive end. Schiano acknowledges it typically presents a mismatch, but said Osei has the wingspan of a 6-foot-6 lineman and enough physical ability to play the position. “The faster he learns his assignments, the more he can play,” Schiano said. “He knows [his assignments] — the faster he can get really comfortable with them. There’s a dif ference between knowing them when you’re sitting in a meeting room and knowing them when there’s a monster coming off the edge and you have to block him.” Civil spent the past year on the offensive line after enrolling at Rutgers as a defensive lineman and redshirting in 2009. He debuted at right tackle against South Florida last year and star ted the season finale at the same position against West Virginia. Osei also spent most of the practice time early in his career at right tackle, not left. “They aren’t that much different,” Wynn said. “Body-wise they both weigh around the same, they’re both around the same height. Every player has certain things that he’s good at and bad at, and that’s how the oline works.”
JENNIFER MIGUEL-HELLMAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Fifth-year senior center Caleb Ruch made his first start of the season last week against Pittsburgh, but has plenty of starting experience from earlier in his career. Ruch started 19 games at guard early in his career.
E DAY
OCTOBER 14, 2011
RTY
G5
... EVERYONE’S INVITED
JENNIFER MIGUEL-HELLMAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER JENNIFER MIGUEL-HELLMAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Fifth-year senior Desmond Wynn started each of the past 15 games at left guard, and had seven different combinations of starting linemen around him at that time. Wynn started his career on the defensive line.
O-line still searching for final five BY STEVEN MILLER SPORTS EDITOR
Greg Schiano called it the $64,000 question, but it brought him no closer to offering an answer. “I hope so,” said Schiano, who admitted worry when asked if a clear group of five starters would emerge this season on the offensive line. “I hope so.” The Rutgers football team’s Week 1 running back is no longer with the program. Its starting quarterback is now its backup, replaced by a freshman yet again. And the offensive line is the most unstable of all. The unit trotted out three different starting lineups through five games. The right tackle never played a down of college football through the first two weeks but played ever y snap since. The right guard was deposed, returned and now plays ever y other offensive series. The center sees more time at left tackle. “I think when you get five guys who get to play together for a couple games in a row, you get to build the chemistry you always hear about
with offensive lines,” said fifth-year senior Caleb Ruch, who took over as starting center against Pittsburgh. “Maybe if I’m playing next to a new guy every week, I have to make certain calls. If I’m playing next to the same guy every week, we’ll both know what’s going.” Schiano said Rutgers would likely play more than five offensive linemen again this week. It does not matter to Desmond Wynn. But the fifth-year senior, who started each of the past 15 games at left guard, does not know any better. Wynn was part of seven different starting line combinations the past two years. They get used to it in practice, he says, when offensive line coach Kyle Flood constantly changes the line combinations, hoping something will stick. But ask someone who experienced continuity and get a different answer. “You develop trust with the people you’re playing with,” Ruch said. “Going out to the o-line dinner is always fun and you get to joke around with the guys, but when you’re playing next to a guy and you get put in an adverse situ-
ation, you get to really see what he’s made of.” Ruch was part of the Scarlet Knights’ last consistent group of starters, considered the strength of the offense entering Opening Day 2009 — the last time the unit inspired confidence in Piscataway. A slow start to the 2008 season forced shuffling along the line, and with six games remaining that season, the shuffling stopped. The group of five started the final six games of 2008 — all Rutgers wins. Three of the linemen now play professionally. Ruch and senior Art Forst are still at Rutgers. Even then, Schiano worried about the unit. The head coach greeted questions about the line’s experience with concerns about its physicality, and the five returning starters did not even start the season opener. “For the past two years I feel like I’ve been saying, ‘I want it to happen, but I can’t make it happen,’” Schiano said. “I can [make it happen], but competition has served us well here over the years, and we just need to keep doing it until we get five guys that will play as one, play as a unit.”
Freshman Kaleb Johnson, above, played every snap since his debut, while Antwan Lowery has been in and out of the lineup.
18-year-old right tackle secures spot in rotation BY STEVEN MILLER SPORTS EDITOR
Antwan Lowery remembers his first training camp in Piscataway. The post-practice sprints traditionally tough on offensive and defensive linemen were no different for Lower y. If anything, they were worse. Lowery knows the adjustment period for high school linemen that relied on shear size all too well — losing weight, then building it back up with strength — which makes playing next to freshman Kaleb Johnson at right guard even more impressive. “He came in ready to play ball,” said Lowery, a redshirt sophomore. “I was proud of him, because that was something I didn’t do. To see a guy come in ready to play ball as a true freshman really helped him get on the field early.” In an offensive line incessantly changing, the true freshman from Jacksonville, Fla., established himself as a constant. Johnson did not play the first two games of the season, but debuted as a starter in Week 3 against Ohio and played every snap at right tackle since. Head coach Greg Schiano expects mistakes out of the 18year-old, but accepts the tradeoff because of Johnson’s upside, highlighted by his physicality. “No matter what he does, he’s going to block somebody,” Lowery said. “If it’s the wrong guy, he’s still going to block him.” But Johnson is improving with the mental aspect of the game. He made a call at the line of scrimmage last week against Pittsburgh and two days later proudly informed the media.
JENNIFER MIGUEL-HELLMAN
He never had an experienced offensive lineman to turn to at right guard, either, as he made his first career start alongside redshirt freshman right guard Betim Bujari. Bujari replaced Lower y as the starter after the first two games and took ever y snap against Ohio, but gave way to Lower y a week later against Syracuse. Lower y star ted against Pitt, but Bujari continued to split time. “I definitely needed that in my life,” Lowery said. “What happened really showed me that your job isn’t safe, and you have to go out and compete every day for your job. It allowed me to really see the other side, and it allowed me to play good.” Johnson witnessed his fellow Floridian’s practice repetitions get cut during a bye week and the subsequent week of Ohio practices. And he watched Lower y work his way back into the starting lineup, where he makes his home next to Johnson. “I have a lot of respect for Lower y,” Johnson said. “Sometimes he’s not perfect, just like all of us. We’re human and we make mistakes, but he bounced back. He bounced back and now he’s starting again.” Johnson figures to continue earning starts. Schiano talks about wanting to find a consistent starting five and fixing the problems that plagued the Scarlet Knights for the past two seasons, and Johnson is likely at the heart of it. For now, that is at right tackle. “He’s getting better each week,” Schiano said. “He’s very strong and explosive.”
G6
G AMEDAY
OCTOBER 14, 2011
BIGEAST GAME OF THE WEEK
T H E DA I LY TA R G U M
UTAH at PITTSBURGH
After its offense was stifled in a 34-10 thrashing to Rutgers last week, Pittsburgh returns home with a vengence against Utah. Pitt running back Ray Graham continues his Heisman caliber year.
PREDICTION: Pittsburgh, 27-10
AT S. FLORIDA
THE DAILY TARGUM
Junior quarterback B.J. Daniels has a 145.7 passer rating with 11 touchdowns through the air and ground.
Key Matchup
LOUISVILLE at CINCINNATI
CONNECTICUT
South Florida had more than a week to let frustration from an embarrassing 44-17 loss to Pittsburgh build up, and expect it to be unleashed at Rentschler Field against the Huskies. The Bulls were ranked before the loss, while Connecticut has had the worst possible start to the Paul Pasqualoni era, including a 43-16 loss last week against West Virginia.
PREDICTION
USF QB BJ Daniels vs. UConn’s Defense
SOUTH FLORIDA, 35-14
The Huskie defense has something to prove at home after allowing 541 yards last week against the Mountaineers, but B.J. Daniels is a dual-threat with a big arm and a knack for finding the end zone.
The Huskies are a far cry from their BCS team a season ago.
Cincinnati quarterback Zach Collaros, one of the Big East’s biggest offensive weapons, ignites the offense against a sputtering Louisville squad. The Cardinals remain winless in conference play. PREDICTION: Cincinnati, 30-7
BIG EAST STANDINGS Football
TEAM 1. RUTGERS 2. West Virginia 3. Pittsburgh 4. Cincinnati 5. Louisville 6. South Florida 7. Syracuse 8. Connecticut
RECORD BIG EAST 4-1 2-0 5-1 1-0 3-3 1-1 4-1 0-0 2-3 0-0 4-1 0-1 4-2 0-1 2-4 0-1
2010 8th 2nd 3rd 7th 6th 5th 4th 1st
* Rutgers’ victory last week against Pittsburgh gave the Knights their first 2-0 start in the Big East since the 2006 season.
G AMEDAY
T H E DA I LY TA R G U M
OCTOBER 14, 2011
G7
JENNIFER MIGUEL-HELLMAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Junior middle linebacker Steve Beauharnais followed up his Big East Defensive Player of the Week performance from Syracuse with another interception last week against Pittsburgh. Beauharnais ranks third on the team with 25 tackles, including six for a loss and 2.5 sacks. He also forced a fumble and recovered another.
Experiened Beauharnais excels in middle of ‘D’ BY TYLER BARTO ASSOCIATE SPORTS EDITOR
Steve Beauharnais played defensive tackle in Pop Warner because he was bigger than the rest of his teammates. The junior serves as the Rutgers football team’s starting middle linebacker years later because he plays big. “Steven’s playing at a high level right now,” said head coach Greg Schiano. “He’s working incredibly hard in practice and in preparation, and that’s why you’re seeing it on the field. Steve’s a good football player.” Through five games, Beauharnais is third on the team in tackles and is tied for second in both sacks and interceptions. His pair of picks turned the tides of the Scarlet Knights’ past two games, both Big East wins. He spearheads a Knights defense which ranks second
HOMECOMING SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 11:45 a.m. — Scarlet Walk Greet the team when it arrives at the stadium. 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. — Festival and Kids’ Zone There will be temporary tattoos, facepainting and poster-making stations to show school spirit, and carnival-style snacks for sale. 1:00 p.m. — Marching Band The Marching Band will make its way through the parking lots and into the stadium. 2:00 p.m. — Kickoff The Knights play Navy for the third time under Greg Schiano on Homecoming.
nationally in sacks and tied for first in takeaways. “Practice creates habits,” Beauharnais said. “That’s what we’re doing.” Beauharnais’ earliest lessons as a Knight occurred non-verbally, he said. Ryan D’Imperio, now with the Minnesota Vikings, left a void at middle linebacker after the 2009 season, and Beauharnais fit the mold. Then an emerging sophomore, Beauharnais moved to the middle of the Rutgers defense after spending his freshman season at the strongside position. He was the likely candidate and beat out Jim Dumont, a senior, for the starting role. But the way Dumont handled the situation left an impression on the 6-foot-2, 235pound Beauharnais. “In the back of my head, I always think, ‘Why is this guy helping me? He should be angry I’m in
the position he’s been trained to play forever,’” Beauharnais said. “I always thought, ‘That could happen to me, too.’” Junior Ka’Lial Glaud first replaced Beauharnais in the middle during spring practice, when the St. Joseph’s (Montvale) High School product moved back to the strongside. But Glaud could not entrench himself there, and Schiano quickly reintroduced Beauharnais to the position. The veteran’s play leaves Schiano ver y little reason to replace him again. Beauharnais is on pace to reach the 79 tackles he recorded last season, and already surpassed his 1.5 sacks from 2010. He learned even more than he expected in Year 2 as the Knights’ defensive play caller, he said, and admits he continues to be a student of the game.
“Coach always tells us to have a beginner’s mentality whenever they’re going over defense, even though you know how to run it,” Beauharnais said. “You know the ins and outs. Every year, there’s always a little thing as he’s talking that I didn’t even know before.” Beauharnais works with linebackers coach Tem Lukabu regularly, he said, breaking down game film and reviewing the Knights’ gameplan. His 20 starts are the most for any Rutgers defensive starter not named Scott Vallone, but even the junior defensive tackle sees the merit of Beauharnais’ leadership. “He’s definitely one of the emotional leaders on the defense,” Vallone said. “He’s a high-energy guy. He’s very passionate about the game. He tries to bring everybody along with him. If you see somebody like that, how can you let a guy like
that down?” Beauharnais does not see it that way. The reserved linebacker only speaks when the Knights need to hear it, he said. “I’m not a guy that’s going to talk for no reason,” Beauharnais said. “I just feel what I feel, and a lot of people take that as leadership.” The Knights needed a veteran presence after the defense faltered down the stretch last season, when Rutgers finished 4-8 and missed a bowl game. The unit found its candidate in Beauharnais, although Vallone and junior linebacker Khaseem Greene fit the billing, among others. “It’s big for us,” Vallone said. “If you have a guy that’s able to produce anywhere on the field, as long as he’s doing his job when the play’s coming … that’s all we can ask for. As long as he keeps doing what he’s doing, we’re going to be successful.”
RAMON DOMPOR / SENIOR STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER