Rice poised to help Rutgers break slump

By JOHN KEKIS
AP Sports Writer

WEST POINT, N.Y. (AP) - Ray Rice vs. the Army defense. Seems like a match made in heaven for Rutgers.

The Black Knights (3-6) struggle defending the run - Army is ranked 109th in rush defense, allowing 212.7 yards per game. And Rice leads the Big East and is sixth nationally in rushing yards per game (139.7) for the Scarlet Knights (5-4), who will be trying to avoid losing a third straight game when the teams meet at Michie Stadium on Friday night.

But Rice, who carried 21 times for 116 yards and a touchdown last week at Connecticut, isn't looking at the numbers.

``It doesn't matter what the stats say. As much as I can say, 'Yeah, they're giving up a lot of yardage,' they're a team that plays with great pride and is not going to quit,'' he said.

Army returns home for the first time since beating Tulane in overtime a month ago after a stunning comeback in the final seconds of regulation. The Black Knights are 3-0 at Michie Stadium this season.

``We talked about it. We are proud of the fact we have not lost any games here,'' Army head coach Stan Brock said. ``It is almost a sellout, and everyone will be wearing all black to support the Army Black Knights. The kids are excited about that.''

The teams have something in common - mistakes. Although Army has had two turnover-free games in the past four, the Black Knights play giveaway much too often - they've had as many as seven turnovers in a game and have lost 23 this season to rank 98th nationally. Since the start of the 2000 season, Army has turned the ball over 230 times, the fourth-highest total in the country.

That's the bad news. The good news is Rutgers leads the way with 240 in that span and ranks last in the Big East this season with a turnover margin of -0.89. The Scarlet Knights defense has just 10 takeaways and the offense has 18 turnovers.

``We are just a little bit off,'' Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano said. ``I have a feeling that's all going to get straightened out.''

Rutgers is fresh from a stinging 38-19 loss at Connecticut, which dropped the Scarlet Knights to 2-3 in the Big East, just ahead of South Florida and Syracuse, who are tied for last in the conference. The Scarlet Knights amassed 511 yards of offense against the Huskies, but managed only one TD and four field goals while UConn's special teams provided a blocked punt for a safety and a 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

Nevertheless, Schiano isn't concerned about his team's psyche as the Scarlet Knights seek a sixth victory, which would make them eligible to play in a bowl game.

``It's going to be a tough challenge, going up there on a short week, on Friday night, at their home,'' he said. ``Really, it's about us. No disrespect to anyone, but we have to get ourselves right. If we do that, we have a chance against anyone in the country.''

The Black Knights have lost this season at Boston College, Wake Forest, Georgia and Air Force. Beating a team that excelled a year ago - and early this season was ranked as high as 13th - would do wonders for the Army faithful.

``It would be a huge win for this program, and I think it could be what it takes to turn this program around,'' defensive back Caleb Campbell said. ``We're really focused on keeping that tradition up.''

Notes:Schiano said the thumb on quarterback Mike Teel's throwing (right) hand was still sore but he expected him to start. ... The game marks the first time Army has played two night games at home in the same season. ... Army leads the all-time series with Rutgers 18-15. The series dates to 1891, Army's second year of competition. ... Rutgers has won the last three meetings with the Black Knights, including 36-21 at Michie Stadium in 2003. Army's last victory against Rutgers was 37-35 at West Point in 1997.

Source: ncaafootball.com; Photo Credit: Collegiate Images