On The Clock: Baltimore Ravens

Record: 11-5, 2nd In the AFC South
General Manager: Ozzie Newsome, Head Coach: John Harbaugh (2nd Year), Offensive Coordinator: Cam Cameron (2dn Year), Defensive Coordinator: Greg Mattison (1st Year/2nd Year With Ravens)

Offense Rankings: No. 18 Overall, No. 11 Scoring, No. 28 Passing, No. 4 Rushing
Defense Rankings: No. 2 Overall, No. 3 Scoring, No. 2 Passing, No. 3 Rushing

Last Five Years: 44-36; Last Playoff Appearance: 2008; Last Playoff Victory: 2008 (13-10 Over the Tennessee Titans)

2008 Draft: (1-18) QB Joe Flacco, (2-55) RB Ray Rice, (3-71) LB Tavares Gooden, (3-86) S Tom Zbikowski, (3-99) OG Oniel Cousins, (4-106) WR Marcus Smith, (4-133) OT David Hale, (6-206) S Haruki Nakamura, (7-215) WR Justin Harper, (7-240) RB Allen Patrick

Top Picks Last Five Years:
2008 – (1-18) QB Joe Flacco, Delaware
2007 – (1-29) OG Ben Grubbs, Auburn
2006 – (1-12) DT Haloti Ngata, Oregon
2005 – (1-22) WR Mark Clayton, Oklahoma
2004 – (2-51) DT Dwan Edwards, Oregon St.

Booms: C Jason Brown (4th Round 2005), DT Haloti Ngata (1st Round 2006), S Dawan Landry (5th Round 2006), P Sam Koch (6th Round 2006), OG Ben Grubbs (1st Round 2007), KR Yamon Figurs (3rd Round 2007), OT Marshal Yanda (3rd Round 2007), RB Le'Ron McClain (4th Round 2007), QB Joe Flacco (1st Round 2008)

Busts: DT Dwan Edwards (2nd Round 2004), WR Devard Darling (3rd Round 2004), OLB Dan Cody (2nd Round 2005), DB David Pittman (3rd Round 2006), WR Demetrius Williams (4th Round 2006)

Additions:
C Matt Birk (Free Agent)
CB Chris Carr (Free Agent)
CB Domonique Foxworth (Free Agent)
TE L.J. Smith (Free Agent)

Subtractions:
QB Kyle Boller (FA-St. Louis)
C Jason Brown (FA-St. Louis)
WR Terrance Copper (FA-Kansas City)
DE Marques Douglas (Released)
CB Corey Ivy (FA-Cleveland)
SS Jim Leonhard (FA-New York/AFC)
CB Chris McAlister (Released)
ILB Bart Scott (FA-New York/AFC)
DE Lee Vickers (FA-New York/NFC)

Keepers:
QB Todd Bouman
P Sam Koch
LB Rey Lewis
WR Marcus Maxwell
DT Brandon McKinney
OLB Terrell Suggs (Franchised)

2009 Picks:
Round 1, Selection 26
Round 2, Selection 25
Round 3, Selection 24
Round 4, Selection 23
Round 5, Selection 26
Round 6, Selection 25

Team Needs – Players of Interest (Day One):
1. Wide Receiver: Percy Harvin, Florida; Darrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland; Kenny Britt, Rutgers; Hakeem Nicks, UNC; Brian Robiskie, OSU; Juaquin Iglesias, Oklahoma; Jarett Dillard, Rice; Mike Thomas, Arizona
2. Offensive Tackle: Eben Britton, Arizona; William Beatty, UConn; Jamon Meredith, South Carolina; Phil Loadholt, Oklahoma
3. Kicker: None.
4. Outside Linebacker: Clay Matthews Jr., USC; Brian Cushing, USC; Aaron Maybin, PSU; Connor Barwin, Cincinnati; Larry English, Northern Illinois; Clint Sintim, Virginia; Cody Brown, UConn
5. Defensive End: Tyson Jackson, LSU; Jarron Gilbert, San Jose St.; Evander Hood, Missouri; Sen’Derrick Marks, Auburn; Fili Moala, USC

Photo Credit: Mark Campbell, UD Athletics Media Relations Photo, College Press Box (Maryland)

Flashback: 2008 Unsung Rookies

By NATHANIEL PURINTON

In what has been a sensational year for rookies, I thought I would take a look at some unsung first-year players who have quietly put together solid seasons for their respective teams.

Jonathan Stewart, RB, Carolina Panthers

Perhaps you’re wondering why Jonathan Stewart, a fairly well-known first round pick, is on this list. You clearly haven’t noticed Stewart’s incredible improvement since the beginning of the season. The 13th overall pick in the draft averaged just 3.14 yards per carry his first nine games. In his last four games, the former Oregon Duck is averaging over eight yards per rush and has three rushing touchdowns. Stewart has helped the Panthers improve their success in short-yardage situations, scoring eight rushing touchdowns this season. Paired with DeAngelo Williams, who is having a breakout season of his own, Stewart has brought a much-needed grind-it-out attitude to the Carolina offense. The Panthers are now fourth in the league in rushing after their 299-yard effort against the Bucs on Monday night and have an outside shot at the number one seed in the NFC.

Ray Rice, RB, Baltimore Ravens

When talking about reasons for Baltimore’s surprisingly stellar season, one must look at the sterling performances of rookie QB Joe Flacco and the vaunted Ravens defense…but the play of Ray Rice should not go unnoticed. Willis McGahee, robbed of any big-play ability by a slew of injuries, has averaged just 3.4 yards per carry this season. Filling in that void has been the rookie second-round pick out of Rutgers. Rice has been a spark plug for Baltimore, averaging 4.2 yards per carry. His 454 rush yards are just 67 yards less than McGahee in almost 50 less attempts. Against Cleveland in Week 9, Rice carried the ball 21 times for 154 yards, including a 60-yard burst that set up Matt Stover’s go-ahead field goal in the fourth quarter. On Sunday night, Rice carried the ball just three times, but his one of his attempts was a 21-yard run on 3rd and 10 that set up Baltimore’s first touchdown just 2:56 into the game. Rice has added a big play element to Baltimore’s ground attack, taking pressure off Joe Flacco and giving Offensive Coordinator Cam Cameron greater flexibility in his play-calling.

Chris Horton, SS, Washington Redskins

The rookie seventh-round pick out of UCLA emerged early on in the preseason as a play-maker in the Redskins’ secondary and quickly became Washington’s first choice to man the other safety position beside LaRon Landry. He was named rookie of the month in September when he played especially well, especially in Washington victory against the Saints, a game in which he picked off Drew Brees twice. Horton’s strong play has continued throughout the season as he’s registered 65 tackles--third best among defensive rookies--including 11 (eight solo) in a loss to New York in Week 13. The seventh round steal has helped fill the void in the Redskins secondary left in the wake of the tragic death of Sean Taylor just over a year ago.

Steve Slaton, RB, Houston Texans

While many pundits have lauded the solid season put together by Tennessee’s rookie RB Chris Johnson, even more sportswriters have overlooked the equally impressive season West Virginia product Steve Slaton is having in Houston. Both runners have put the ball in the end zone nine times (eight each on the ground), but Slaton has averaged 5.0 yards per carry to Johnson’s 4.9. Through 13 games, Slaton has put up over 1,300 yards from scrimmage including 1,022 on the ground, just eight yards shy of a franchise rookie rushing record. The third-round pick seized the starter’s job from Ahman Green in Week 3, running for 116 yards and a score against a stout Tennessee defense. With Green put on IR prior to Week 13, Slaton has averaged 125 yards per game the past two weeks and is a major reason for the Texans late-season surge.

Photo Credit: College Press Box (Rutgers)

CFI: THE BIG EAST REPORT

BY CHRISTOPHER MOGOLLON
BIG EAST INSIDER

THURSDAY NIGHT SCARE
Pat White's 50-yard touchdown run kept his team alive for a BCS game and himself alive in the race for the Heisman. After jumping out to an early lead, White's fumbles propelled Brian Brohm and Louisville to an erase a 17-point deficit and tie the game late in the fourth quarter. White started off sharp, throwing both his touchdown passes in the first quarter in crucial red zone opportunities. He finished with 181 yards passing and despite the fumbles White was excellent on the ground rushing for 147 yards. Steve Slaton was held in check finishing with only 60 yards rushing. Darius Reynaud caught six balls for a total of 79 yards including both first quarter touchdowns. Brohm finished the game throwing for 345 yards and two touchdown passes. He hooked up with Harry Douglas seven times for 98 yards and Mario Urrutia three times for 54 yards, including a touchdown. Gary Stripling didn't do much running the football but he led the team with eight receptions for 105 yards, and was a key contributor in setting up scores. Even though West Virginia allowed 345 passing yards, they did force four key turnovers. Senior defensive backs Eric Wicks and Antonio Lewis intercepted two of Brohm's passes to help give West Virginia a 38-31 win.

THE MAUK SHOW
It seems each Big East Cinderella loses their slipper every week, first it was South Florida and now it's the Huskies who fell as the victim. Cincinnati is one more Connecticut loss from controlling their own destiny to a BIG EAST title and a BCS bowl game. The Bearcats dominated this game and never gave the Huskies a chance. Ben Mauk was awesome throwing for three touchdowns and running for one. He finished the game with a total of 288 yards and contributed to every score in the 27-3 win. Dominick Goodman had his third 100-yard game putting up 127 yards on eight catches including a touchdown in the fourth quarter to put the game away. The defense was dominant, holding the Huskies to a total of 22 rushing yards, their lowest total all year. Sophomore Andre Dixon was held to only 35 yards on 12 carries. D-lineman Adam Hoppel returned a huge interception inside Connecticut territory to set up a score.

BLOWOUT CITY
South Florida came into the Carrier Dome focused and won in blowout fashion 41-10 on parents weekend. Matt Grothe had a bounce back game throwing for 181 yards and two touchdowns, taking advantage of a slow defense rushing for 73 yards and a touchdown rushing. Overall the ground game of the Bulls could not be stopped. Freshman Mike Ford used his speed and strength to rush for a career high 134 yards and two touchdowns. Fellow freshman back Aston Samuels rushed for 101 yards on just two carries, his 75 yard run setup a Bulls score. Meanwhile the Syracuse running game was dreadful finishing with a total of 15 yards, embarrassing. The game started with a fumble by Max Suter and the Bulls never looked back. In Cameron Dantley's first career start, he threw for 276 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. Mike Williams shined in the loss catching eight balls for 99 yards including the team’s only touchdown.

Army was no match for a Rutgers team desperate for a win. Ray Rice finished the game with 243 yards, a school record, and two touchdowns. This is Rice's fifth 100- yard performance in a row and seventh of the year, which is also a school record. The Knights were all about running the football, as they finished with a total of three completed passes for 42 yards. Freshman Mason Robinson rushed for a career high 82 yards. It did not help Army that they turned the ball over five times.

Photo Credit: WVU Sports Communications

CFI: BLOW OUT CITY IN THE BIG EAST PART I & II

BY CHRISTOPHER MOGOLLON
BIG EAST INSIDER

September 9 (8:00 – ESPN2) * Rutgers 5-4 (2-3) @ Army 3-6 – This is a must win game for the Scarlet Knights after losing two straight conference games since their upset over South Florida. Army has been spanked three times in a row and in all three games their defense has given up at least 30 points. Rutgers should be able to pass the ball fairly easily, as Tiquan Underwood is likely to have another big game. The receiver leads the conference in receptions with 59 and has six games with a 100 yards receiving or more. He is with out a doubt a playmaker, having caught six touchdowns, which is tied for fourth in the conference. Sophomores Kenny Britt and Tim Brown are also dangerous speedsters. Britt has come along nicely this season catching 39 balls for 829 yards, including a career-high eight receptions in a loss to Connecticut last week. Army does not have much of an offense, they are ranked 116th in college football, and their season-high in points is 23 in a loss to Central Michigan.

Key Match-Up: Ray Rice vs. Army Run Defense – Rice leads the conference in rushing and is ranked eighth in the country, having racking up 1257 yards. He is a scoring machine, getting into the end zone 14 times this year, which ranks sixth in the country. Rice has six 100-yard games, including his 181-yard performance against South Florida. Army has been dreadful defending the run giving up 100-plus yards on the ground to every team they have played this year, which includes Rhode Island. Their most recent game was a joke allowing 437 yards and two touchdowns on the ground versus Air Force.


September 10 (12:00 – ESPN 360/Gameplan) * South Florida 6-3 (1-3) @ Syracuse 2-7 (1-3) – South Florida has a lot of frustration coming into this game losing three in a row and going from number two in the country to unranked, with emotional Jim Leavitt pumping up his troops, don't be surprised if this one is a blowout. Syracuse lost a very tough game last week at Pittsburgh and find themselves lost for points, as their offense is ranked 113th in the country averaging 16.6 points a game. The Orange are getting productivity from their wide receivers every game with sophomore Mike Williams leading in the team in touchdowns and ranking ninth in the conference with 37 receptions. Captain Taj Smith has racked up 607 yards so far this season averaging 18.4 yards a catch. Syracuse might play around with their quarterbacks, using both Andrew Robinson and Cameron Dantley to try to get as much offensive production as possible. Trae Williams and Mike Jenkins lead the conference in passes defended, making up a fierce secondary. Watch out for the pass rushers in this game, George Selvie leads the conference with 13.5. Last year’s leader in sacks, Jameel McClain, hasn't had the same success this year as last year, but can still be dangerous.

Key Match up: Matt Grothe vs. SU Rush Defense – Grothe leads the team in rushing yards with 625, averaging 4.3 yards a carry. He scores plenty using his feet with seven touchdowns. The problem for Syracuse is they have been unable to stop any team’s rushing attack, especially clubs with a running quarterback. This year against Washington, Illinois, and West Virginia, the SU run defense looked very slow and couldn't bring down the opposing team’s athletic signal caller. Grothe was great last year versus the 'Cuse, as the freshman threw for 364 yards and rushed for 45 more.

Photo Credit: Collegiate Images

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

Rice among 15 semifinalists for Maxwell Award

Eds: Tre filed.
ROSLYN, Pa. (AP) -- Rutgers junior halfback Ray Rice was named one of the 15 semifinalists for the Maxwell Award on Wednesday.

Rice was a finalist last season for the award given by the Maxwell Football Club to its college player of the year. Rice has rushed for 1,257 yards this season to rank sixth nationally and first in the Big East Conference. His 15 touchdowns are tied for
12th in the nation.

For his career, Rice has rushed for 4,171 yards, the most in Rutgers history and the second-best total in conference history. He has scored a school-record 39 rushing touchdowns, fifth-best in Big East history.

Rice leads all active players nationally with a career average of 122.7 yards.
The award will be announced on Dec. 6.

Source: AP; Photo Credit: Collegiate Images

CFI: THE BIG EAST REPORT

BY CHRISTOPHER MOGOLLON
BIG EAST INSIDER

GETTING BACK INTO THE RACE

The Cincinnati Bearcats with put themselves right back into the Big East Title race with a dramatic victory over 18th ranked South Florida. The first quarter was mayhem -- the game began with a 73-yard interception taken back for a touchdown by who else but Trae Williams. Cincinnati, who answered with a touchdown of their own, was answered right with a 100-yard kick off return for a touchdown by Mike Jenkins. Using big plays themselves the Bearcats put up 24 points in the final eight minutes of the quarter. It was a blocked punt recovered for a touchdown by Antwuan Giddens that sparked the Bearcats on their run. The defense of Cincinnati forced a remarkable eight turnovers in the game including four interceptions and a defensive touchdown. Quarterback Ben Mauk had a solid effort throwing for 162 yards and three touchdowns, as Marshwan Gilyard caught three of his passes for 100 yards. Mauk came up big on the ground (75 yards) making up for an overall poor rushing attack for Cincinnati -- Jacob Ramsey was held to only 1.9 yards per carry. South Florida chipped away at the lead from the beginning, as Matt Grothe finished with 382 yards passing, 75 rushing yards and a total of two touchdowns but the team couldn't get over his three picks. Despite all the turnovers and big special team plays by Cincy, the Bulls had a chance to win it at the end but the secondary batted two of Grothe's passes in the end zone to clinch the 38-33 victory.

FRESHMAN STANDOUT

With a total of seven receptions and 110 yards receiving, both career highs, Carlton Mitchell helped the Bulls attempt a comeback against Cincinnati. Mitchell averaged 15.7 yards a catch and had a 51 -yard reception, which put South Florida in a good position to score.

THE LONGSHOT

The Pittsburgh Panthers have found themselves back in the race the for conference title, sure it is far fetched but with their win over Syracuse (20-17) they are in second place in the BIG EAST. Pittsburgh won this game thanks to their special teams setting up both touchdowns. Lowell Robinson racked up 108 yards on kick returns including a 64-yard return and Aaron Berry netted a total of 106 yards on punt returns. Freshman LeSean McCoy had his fourth straight 100-yard game rushing for 140 yards and a touchdown.

THE NEW CINDERELLA

Just a year ago it was Rutgers having a magical season and on their way to a program changing season. This year it is all about the Huskies, they continued to surprise the experts by dominating the Scarlet Knights in a 38-19 victory. Connecticut doesn't have the star power on offense but were very efficient capitalizing early for 18 points in the first quarter. The player of the game had to be running back Donald Brown. The sophomore tailback had a season-high 124 yards, averaging six yards per carry. He had a big 33-yard touchdown run in the third and a 70-yard run to setup a score. Quarterback Tyler Lorenzen didn't make any big mistakes and threw for two big touchdowns. Ray Rice had his fourth straight 100-yard rushing performance racking up 116 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries. Mike Teel also had some good numbers throwing for 343 yards but zero touchdowns and a key interception. Tight End Steve Brouse had a season high four catches and caught his fourth touchdown in the first quarter. The biggest play of the game might have come from Tyvon Branch who on four kick returns netted a total of 184 yards including a 97-yard touchdown responding to a RU field goal.

Photo Credit: Collegiate Images

Business as usual: No. 6 WVU pounds No. 25 Rutgers, 31-3

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) -- No. 6 West Virginia kept its BCS hopes alive with yet another win over Rutgers.

Steve Slaton ran for three touchdowns and quarterback Pat White rushed for 156 yards and a score as the Mountaineers beat the No. 25 Scarlet Knights 31-3 on Saturday, their 13th straight victory in the series.

Slaton went from sideline to sideline on a spectacular 38-yard run that gave West Virginia (7-1, 2-1 Big East) the early lead, and he scored on second-half runs of 1 and 6 yards to bury Rutgers (5-3, 2-2).

White, who missed last year's wild 41-39 triple overtime win over Rutgers with an ankle injury, scored on a 1-yard run. He drove Scarlet Knights defenders crazy with an elusiveness that had to excite the seven bowl representatives at the game. He also threw for 144 yards, highlighted by a 51-yard screen pass to Slaton to set up a touchdown.

Pat McAfee added a 42-yard field goal into the wind on the final play of the first half, and he also helped out when one of his punts hit off the foot of a Rutgers player and was recovered at the Scarlet Knights 31. That set up White's score.

Jeremy Ito kicked a 39-yard field goal for Rutgers, which was hurt by missed tackles and dropped passes. The Scarlet Knights saw their chances of a first BSC berth ended by the Mountaineers for the second straight year.

Had Rutgers beaten West Virginia last December, it would have won the conference title and the BCS berth.

The Mountaineers handed Rutgers its worst loss since a 56-5 drubbing by Louisville on Nov. 11, 2005.


SOURCE: NCAAFOOTBALL; PHOTO CREDIT: SEC SPORTS

West Virginia-Rutgers has top Big East backs Slaton, Rice

By JOHN RABY
AP Sports Writer

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - If Greg Schiano had been a flashier salesman, Steve Slaton might have been Ray Rice's teammate.

While the Rutgers coach was trying to woo Slaton out of a high school 35 miles away in Levittown, Pa., along came West Virginia's Rich Rodriguez to snatch Slaton away.

``We recruited Steve Slaton. Obviously, it was not well enough,'' Schiano said. ``I did such a great job of swaying him that he went right down to West Virginia and committed.''

Slaton and Rice blossomed on their own instead of fighting for carries on the same team. The yardage could be piling up for the juniors on Saturday when No. 6 West Virginia (6-1, 1-1 Big East) visits No. 25 Rutgers (5-2, 2-1).

Slaton, who got his first-ever start against Rutgers two years ago, will be going for his third straight 100-yard game against the Scarlet Knights. Rice already is Rutgers' career rushing leader and is looking to become the first player in school history to post three straight 1,000-yard seasons.

The pair have drawn comparisons because of their gaudy stats and debate over who's the best back in the Big East.

In West Virginia's run-oriented spread formation, Slaton has the quickness to get around defenders on the outside and often scores untouched.

Rice is a true workhorse and has speed, too, in Rutgers' balanced I-formation. He's best known for overpowering defenders.

``He is a big, strong thick kid who is low to the ground. He is hard to get a hold of,'' said West Virginia lineman Keilen Dykes. ``When you do get a hold of him, you have to bring everything with you. If you don't, he will break through arm tackles. You have to hit him with everything you got. It's not just grab a jersey.

``It will be up to us to have as many guys as possible to the ball and slow him down. It's the Ray Rice show.''

Rice was third in the nation in rushing last season and set a Big East record with 1,794 yards, 50 yards more than Slaton. Slaton finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy balloting while Rice was seventh.

Neither are at the forefront of such talk this season due to slips in production.

It doesn't diminish the respect factor.

For a few hours last week, Slaton was a Rutgers fan, rooting for the Scarlet Knights to beat then-first-place South Florida.

Rice, who led the nation in carries last year, had an eye-popping 39 carries for 181 yards in the 30-27 win. His most memorable play may have been stiff-arming standout defensive end George Selvie into the turf.

``If you didn't have to play against (Rice), he'd be fun to watch,'' Rodriguez said. ``The thing that isn't talked about is his balance. I think that's one of the best attributes as a back or as a skilled player is great balance (and) not getting knocked off your feet.''

Rice has 999 yards entering Saturday's game and ranks fourth in the nation at 143 yards per game.

Schiano said Rice's production compared to last year ``doesn't really matter to me, but I think he's running harder now than he has at any other point in the season. So to me that's a positive.''

Rutgers lost back-to-back games to Maryland and Cincinnati when Rice was held under 100 yards. West Virginia has the nation's second-best rushing attack, so if Slaton is slowed down, there's always quarterback Pat White, fullback Owen Schmitt and emerging backups Noel Devine and Jock Sanders.

Slaton has 300 fewer rushing yards than at this point last season, although he's the second-leading receiver with 16 catches for 215 yards.

``I am trying to be more of a threat blocking and catching the ball. I don't want to be limited to just one thing,'' Slaton said.

SOURCE: NCAAFOOTBALL.COM; PHOTO CREDIT: COLLEGIATE IMAGES

No. 2 Bites the Dust: Rutgers Upsets USF

By RALPH D. RUSSO
AP College Football Writer

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) - It's not easy being No. 2 - just ask South Florida. The Bulls became the third second-ranked team to lose in the last three weeks, having their unexpected unbeaten run snapped by tricky Rutgers 30-27 on Thursday night.

Third-string quarterback Andrew DePaola threw a 15-yard touchdown pass off a fake field goal to give the Scarlet Knights the lead in the third quarter and Rutgers also used a fake punt to set up a field goal in the first quarter.

Ray Rice provided a more conventional 181 yards on 39 carries for Rutgers (5-2, 2-1 Big East) and Mike Teel threw two touchdown passes to Tiquan Underwood.

``We just went out there and played our best football,'' Rice said.

The Bulls (6-1, 1-1) had their eight-game winning streak come to an end, no doubt to the delight of Boston College, LSU, Oklahoma and the rest of the teams hoping to grab the second spot in the BCS standings USF held this week.

Matt Grothe threw for 247 yards and a touchdown and ran for 58 yards, but Rutgers' defense swarmed South Florida's multitalented quarterback in the second half and sacked him seven times in the game.

A week after No. 2 California lost to Oregon State and two weeks after then-No. 2 Southern California was upset by Stanford, the Bulls became the 11th Top 10 team to fall to an unranked opponent this season.

Though Rutgers, which started the season ranked 16th, but fell out after two straight losses last month, might not be unranked much longer.

Jeremy Ito lined a career-long 51 yard field with 11:59 left in the fourth quarter to give Rutgers a 30-20 lead.

Grothe's gang wasn't done. He led the Bulls on a 70-yard touchdown drive that Mike Ford capped with a 1-yard run with 9:16 left to make it 30-27.

When USF linebacker Ben Moffitt recovered Rice's fumble near midfield with 4:11 left, the Bulls were in business at the Rutgers 40. But Damaso Renkart sacked Grothe on the first play, and the Bulls were forced to punt.

Rutgers was unable to kill the clock and the Bulls got one more shot to keep their perfect season alive, starting at the Rutgers 49.

On the first play, freshman Joe Lefeged came on a safety blitz and sacked Grothe from the blind side. On fourth-and-22, Amarri Jackson caught a pass down the sideline beyond the first down marker, but the play was wiped out by an offensive pass interference call because the receiver pushed off.

The last gasp came on a fourth-and-37 from the Rutgers 24. Grothe heaved a desperation pass into traffic and Rutgers defensive back Zaire Kitchen intercepted.

For the second straight season Rutgers came up with a huge victory on a Thursday night at home. Last year it was No. 3 Louisville, at the time the highest ranked opponent Rutgers had ever beaten.

Not anymore. This win set off another celebration, though not quite as wild as last year's after beating Louisville, with fans again flooding the field.

After reaching the rankings for first time in the 11-year history of South Florida football earlier this season, the Bulls shot up the charts behind a quick and hard-hitting defense and Grothe's dynamic playmaking.

In this topsy-turvy season, the Bulls' national title hopes can't quite be put to rest. But they took a major hit.

The Scarlet Knights, last season's surprise team from the Big East, gave their season a much-needed jolt.

With Rutgers up 20-17 midway through the third quarter, Rutgers defensive back Devin McCourty blocked a field goal to preserve the lead.

Rice and Teel responded with a drive that stalled at the USF 15. Ito came out to attempt a 32-yard field goal, but Rutgers coach Greg Schiano had something else in mind.

DePaola, the holder, took the snap and rolled right, barely avoiding a sack, and floated a pass into the outstretched arms of Kevin Brock. The tight end scooted into the end zone with 4:09 left in the third to give Rutgers a 27-17 lead.

``We haven't done a lot of that around here,'' Schiano said. ``Thank God it worked.''

Rutgers used a trick play on its first drive, too.

Ito lined up to punt but instead lofted a perfect pass over a USF defender to James Townsend for a 36-yard gain to the Bulls 13. That set up Ito's 26-yard field goal.

Rutgers scored more points than any team had hit up USF for this season and kept defensive end George Selvie, the nation's leader with 11.5 sacks, away from Teel.

USF hadn't allowed a runner to reach 100 yards in the 14 games since Rice went for 202 in the Scarlet Knights' 22-20 win last year. Rice had 94 at halftime Thursday night.

``When my number's called,'' Rice said, ``I'm going to do whatever it takes.''

Source: ncaafootball.com; Photo Credit: Collegiate Images

CFI: THE BIG EAST REPORT

BY CHRISTOPHER J. MOGOLLON
BIG EAST INSIDER


TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS: RUTGERS

After taking a 14-0 lead, Syracuse thought they a chance to pull off another upset victory, but a couple of Ray Rice runs and a blocked punt and the Orange were back to their losing ways. Rutgers moved the ball all game especially in the third quarter when they scored 17 points. Rice rushed for a season-high 196 yards and three touchdowns, adding four receptions for 29 yards. Mike Teel shook off an early interception by Ben Maljovec and finished the game throwing for 310 yards and two touchdowns. Receiver Kevin Britt had a season-high six receptions and a career-high 176 yards. The punt block in the second quarter that led to a one-yard touchdown really turned the game over the Knights. It was nice to see the Orange actually have some sort of rushing game as the banged up Curtis Brinkley had a season-high as well, rushing for 98 yards and 6.1 yards per carry. As the fourth quarter started, Rutgers scored two quick touchdowns and took a 38-14 lead, which was the same score when the clocked reach zero. Senior tight end Jawad Nesheiwat had a great game catching a season-high four balls for 81 yards.

South Florida continued their undefeated season with a blowout victory over instate rival Central Florida 64-12. USF was so dominant, holding UCF to only 145 total yards, 2-for-15 on third downs and one touchdown, while forcing three turnovers. Matt Grothe bounced back with a much stronger performance throwing for 212 yards and rushing for 100 yards. Grothe rushed for a touchdown and threw one in the second quarter to put the game away, hitting Taurus Johnson for a nine-yard touchdown. Johnson had six receptions for 83 yards and two touchdowns. Freshman Mike Ford was again a contributor rushing for 39 yards on eight carries and a touchdown.

WORST LOSS: PART I

Cincinnati was undefeated going into their rivalry game versus struggling Louisville but could not keep up with Brian Brohm and that Cardinal passing offense. Brohm put up tremendous numbers once again throwing for 350 yards and three touchdowns. Cincinnati took a 21-14 lead late in the third quarter when Brian Brohm led an 83-yard drive that ended on a touchdown reception by Patrick Carter to tie the game. The big play that gave the Cardinals the lead for good was a 51-yard catch by superstar Harry Douglas, which set up the three-yard touchdown run by Anthony Allen. The Louisville defense as usual gave up plenty of passing yards, and a total of 460 yards. Junior receiver Dominick Goodman had a season-high eleven catches for 141 yards and a touchdown, but it was not enough this week, as the Louisville defense forced two fumbles and two interceptions. Juniors Richard Raglin and Chris Vaughn were the culprits picking off a pass from Ben Mauk and Tony Pike. Mauk did throw for 324 yards and three touchdowns but the Bearcats had too many turnovers and couldn't keep Brohm out of the end zone.

WORST LOSS: PART II

Pittsburgh made it four straight loses in an overtime thriller in Heinz field 38-35. LeSean McCoy continues to dominate rushing for 165 yards. The freshman rushed for three touchdowns for the second time this year and gave Pittsburgh the lead in the fourth quarter on a 21-yard run, but Navy came back, nailing a field goal to force overtime. The inexperienced defense had more trouble stopping Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada than the announcers had trouble pronouncing his name. Kaheaku-Enhada rushed for 122 yards his season-high and a touchdown. He also passed for 166 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-tying 25-yard pass touchdown on the first play in overtime. Freshman Pat Bostick started at quarterback for Pitt and completed 20 out of 28 passes but mostly threw short passes, as Pittsburgh really couldn't get any big pass plays. In the second overtime down three, the Panthers were at the Navy nine-yard line and couldn't punch it in. After two short runs and an incomplete pass they were forced to make a decision -- either go for the win or settle for the tie. From the two-yard line, they called a play for Bostick to make a tough touch pass in the corner of the end zone to Darrell Strong, which was easily batted away.

OH SO CLOSE

The Huskies were riding an undefeated season as well and some experts thought a win at Virginia would give Connecticut a spot in the polls. Connecticut couldn't really get their offense rolling, as Tyler Lorenzen was held to only 176 yards, his second worst total this season. He did lead a clutch touchdown drive to open up the second half, which he finished with a six-yard touchdown pass to Steve Brouse. Andre Dixon rushed for 63 yards on 14 carries. Connecticut took the lead with about ten minutes left in the game, but Virginia took back the lead 17-16 with a field goal by Chris Gould. Virginia’s Jameel Sewell finished the game throwing for 149 yards and rushing for 66.

CFI: RICE UP YOUR LIFE

BY PHIL WURTZ
CFI'S BUSINESS WRITER

We didn’t have to see the cover of the Sporting News College Football preview, or Athlon’s National College Football preview, Street and Smith’s 2007 College Football Official Yearbook, or the USA Today’s Sports Weekly College Football preview to know that Rutgers junior tailback Ray Rice was a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate. With 335 rushing attempts in 2006 to lead the entire country as a sugar coating to his BIG EAST record smashing 1,794 rushing yards, everyone knew Mr. Rice had a good chance to take the short ride from the Nokia Theatre to the Rutgers campus with the famous trophy as his passenger.

The true question to be answered was, “How will Rutgers University handle a potential Heisman Trophy Candidate?”

Most universities would follow their previous formula -- calculate the time and current trends into their marketing approach and set the campaign out to win the hearts of the voters. Which would be a wise approach, except for one small detail; The Scarlet Knights have never really had a legitimate Heisman Trophy Candidate. So the university did what any other red blooded American would do to get someone to notice them or market their product -- they created a website.

On Wednesday, June 27, 2007 the Rutgers athletic department unveiled its website, SeeRayRun.com to the public. Chock full of video highlights, newspaper clippings, pictures, and anything else you’d like to know about the 5’9”, 205 pound running back from New Rochelle, NY. The catchy web site title was quickly adopted by Rutgers fans and alumni with “See Ray Run” t-Shirts and signs easily visible throughout the sea of scarlet that packs Piscataway, NJ for Rutgers home games. With one of the worlds busiest places a few turnpike exits away, the Rutgers athletic department would have been foolish not to take advantage of Times Square and its towering, eye-catching video boards. So they did just that, leasing space on the Panasonic News Astrovision located at One Times Square, the site of the world famous New Year’s Eve ball drop. The See Ray Run video runs eight times per hour for 16 total hours, which adds up to a lot of extra running for Ray throughout the course of a day . The final touch on the entire campaign will be a free See Ray Run gift package that will be sent to Heisman voters across the country as the campaign draws to a close.

So, websites, t-Shirts, signs, video montages, and care packages are all fine and dandy, but what happens when your team stays on the Heisman Bandwagon but falls way off the National Title Train? Disastrous occurrences have plagued Heisman hopefuls whose teams fall out of contention, and in the case of Rutgers, fall hard and fast. Coming off of back to back losses against Maryland and Cincinnati and plummeting right out of the top 25 poll, the Scarlet Knights aren’t doing their best to keep Ray Rice as one of the first names uttered when Heisman Candidates comes up in conversation.

Can Rice still put up a monster year and take home a Heisman without having a sensational overall record? Of course, anything is possible -- the award is meant to highlight the most outstanding “Player” in college football. Then again, what type of player are you if all you can do is put up personal stats while your team squanders? Those questions and many more will surely be answered by November 29th in Louisville at Rutgers’ last game of the 2007 season.

Hopefully for Rutgers fans and fans of Ray Rice, their season still has meaning by that date.

Phil Wurtz is a regular contributer to the CFI weekly newsletter, where his "Business Beat" column takes a look at the business side of college football. Click on the CFI logo to subscribe.

* Photo Credit: Collegiate Images

CFI: THE BIG EAST REPORT

BY CHRISTOPHER J. MOGOLLON
BIG EAST INSIDER

Best Win: Cincinnati

Cincinnati continued to roll with a huge victory at Rutgers. It was the defense (forced four turnovers) that swung momentum over to the Bearcats -- late in the third quarter, following a Cincinnati touchdown, they forced Mike Teel into a interception that led to a touchdown and then again at the end of the game with the Knights driving an interception with 54 seconds remaining sealed the victory. The clutch interceptions by Haruki Nakamura (pictured) and Andre Revels pushed the Bearcats to a 5-0. The Cincinnati defense proved a lot on Saturday. In addition to the turnovers, after an interception by Ben Mauk they held Rutgers to a field goal after Rutgers had first and goal from the seven, which helped Cincy to a 28-23 win. Mauk finished the game with 257 passing yards and three touchdowns including two in an 19 second span to end the third quarter. He hit Marshawn Gilyard five times for 97 yards, including a big 31-yard pass play to set up a score. Tailback Greg Moore rushed for 60 yards on only 14 carries.

Worst Loss: Louisville

It looked like it couldn't get worse for the Cardinals, until the Ute's come into your stadium and put up 44 points. Brian Brohm as usual put up another stellar performance throwing for 467 yards, four touchdowns, and zero interceptions. Neither Harry Douglas or Mario Urrutia played but senior Patrick Carter picked up the slack catching nine balls for 154 yards. But it didn't matter because the defense continues to look softer than ever. Not only can’t they stop the pass, but now cannot stop the run either. Darrell Mack had a season-high 163 yards rushing with three touchdowns averaging 5.3 yards a carry. Quarterback Brian Johnson finished the game with 312 yards and a touchdown while completing 24/31 of his passes, before the game, his season high was 181 yards against Utah State just to give you perspective on how bad this Louisville defense is. Utah finished with 29 first downs and a total of 582 yards.

A Close Second: Rutgers

Even though it was only their first conference loss, the program was hit hard with their second straight home losses. Rutgers’ season is not over -- they can still rally and pull off a conference title but being unable to finish games at home takes a toll on your team. Mike Teel threw for 334 yards but three interceptions -- something he cannot do in two weeks versus South Florida. The big story was Ray Rice and his 2.3 yards per carry -- if Rice isn’t running Rutgers isn’t winning.

Business as Usual: South Florida & Syracuse

South Florida remains undefeated and they find themselves ranked fifth in both polls despite a sloppy 35-23 victory at Florida Atlantic. Quarterback Matt Grothe struggled in the beginning of the game but stepped up in the second half throwing for 122 yards and rushing for 120. The big play in this game came with about four minutes left in the third quarter and the score tied, Grothe faked the hand off and then rushed the ball himself for a 32-yard touchdown. Tailback Benjamin Williams put the game away with a 54-yard touchdown run in which it appeared he juked the entire FAU defense. He finished the game with 186 yards and four touchdowns, all season highs. Trae Williams continue to make plays on defense with a interception in the game.

After their win at Louisville, Syracuse quickly is back to their losing ways -- getting blown-out by West Virginia at the Dome 55-14. The game was close early but a crazy interception for a touchdown by D-Lineman Keilen Dykes gave West Virginia a 21-7 lead and they never looked back. Pat White finished the game with 148 yards passing and 89 yards rushing for two touchdowns. West Virginia dominated nearly every part of the game, rushing for a total of 251 yards, with ten different players getting a carry. The 55 points they put up was the most by an opponent in the history of the Carrier Dome. The defense held Syracuse to 108 passing yards and forced three turnovers. The one bright spot on the side of the Orange was freshman Mike Holmes who got a lot time on defense and returning kicks, he finished with 118 returning yards in just three chances. Coach Rich Rodriguez earned his 100th career win at WVU…Greg Robinson is 94 behind stuck on six.

Freshman Spotlight: Marcus Barnett

The passing offense of Cincinnati has been clicking since the first game of the season and their young receiving core is a big reason why, regardless of who is under center. Marcus Barnett leads the team in receptions, yards, and touchdowns, as this freshman is quickly making a statement. Barnett leads the conference with six receiving touchdowns and has a pair of two-touchdown games against Marshall and San Diego State. He is seventh in the conference in receiving yards and forth in receptions per game. Barnett had a great game in the team’s big victory at Rutgers catching six balls for 74 yards and a touchdown. Barnett has a knack for the big play -- including an 80-yarder. He should continue to put great numbers against the struggling Louisville defense.

Photo Credit: Collegiate Images

CFI PREVIEW: THE BIG EAST

BY CHRISTOPHER J. MOGOLLON
BIG EAST INSIDER

12:00 * ESPN Regional * West Virginia 4-1 (0-1) @ Syracuse 1-4 (0-1): It's the battle for the Schwartzwalder Trophy at the Carrier Dome but don't expect the trophy to leave the West Virginia sideline. Syracuse's offense has been terrible, with no rushing attack to speak of and they hardly ever giving any protection for the quarterback, which is why their offense is in the bottom ten of the nation. The offensive line for Syracuse is in trouble again, having already allowed 22 sacks – the worst in conference and now they face the conference leader in sacks with 17 this year lead by Johnny Dingle and Marc Magro. Heisman hopeful Steve Slaton should have another big rushing performance at the Dome. Syracuse has not beaten West Virginia since 2001.

Key Match Up: Pat White vs. Syracuse linebackers - Last year when these two schools met, it was the Patrick White show. White rushed for a whopping 247 yards and four touchdowns single handily scoring more than the 'Cuse. White averaged 16.5 yards a carry including touchdown runs of 69 yards and 50 yards. South Florida's speed on defense forced White to make tough throws, this week White can just tuck it and run. He is a game time decision.

3:30 * ESPNU * South Florida 4-0 (1-0) @ Florida Atlantic 3-2 (2-0): Last week it was pandemonium in Tampa after a huge victory over West Virginia which put the Bulls 6th in the AP poll, now they have a test of not looking ahead. Florida Atlantic is having a good year so far -- they are over five hundred and have victories over Minnesota and road win over North Texas. FAU is a passing team that has not developed a running game and they have struggled avoiding big runs as well. Keep an eye on South Florida running back Mike Ford who has rushed 212 yards averaging 5.6 yards per carry. This freshman has big play written all over him.

Key Match Up: Rusty Smith vs. South Florida Pass Defense - The Owls pass the ball, sophomore quarterback Rusty Smith has thrown nine touchdowns and only two interceptions, a big improvement over last years numbers. Smith threw for 466 yards in their victory over the Gophers. Now he has to face by far his toughest test, the speed and quickness of a Bulls defense that has only allowed three touchdowns through the air. If that’s not enough they put tremendous pressure on their opponents led by George Selvie who leads the conference with nine sacks already.

8:00 * ESPN2 * Cincinnati 5-0 (0-0) @ Rutgers 3-1 (0-0): This is the Big East opener for each school and could be a swing game for both teams to maybe a conference championship. Rutgers were heavy favorites if you would have looked at this game in the summer but after a disappointing home loss to Maryland and the surge of the Cincinnati passing game -- the match up has a whole new flavor. Last week, Rutgers struggled to stop the run and hold on to the football (three turnovers). Ray Rice was held to his season low of 97 rushing yards and one touchdown -- he will be facing a tough run defense, who held Oregon State to only 36 rushing yards. Linebacker Andre Revels leads the team in tackles. Keep your eye on Tiquan Underwood, who leads the team in receptions and yards, he has big play capability and could make the Piscataway crowd go crazy.

Key Match up: Ben Mauk vs. Rutgers Secondary - It is no secret that the Bearcats rely on their passing game for big chunks of yardage. Ben Mauk leads the charge with nine touchdowns in four games, he is also second in conference in pass efficiency completing 70.0 percent of his passes. Marcus Barnett has been the go to receiver for the team with 22 receptions and five touchdowns. In addition, watch for tight end Connor Barwin, the junior has 14 receptions for 196 yards with two touchdowns. Rutgers does have some players on defense like linebacker Kevin Malast with 34 tackles this season, he is very aggressive and can drop back to help the secondary too. Defensive back Courtney Greene is a tremendous tackler, you could see some huge hits come from this junior.

THE BIG EAST REPORT

BY CHRISTOPHER MOGOLLON
BIG EAST INSIDER

Biggest Winners:

South Florida – The Bulls defense proved that they are the real deal, shutting down Steve Slaton and the rest of the West Virginia offense. An unfortunate injury to Pat White helped USF pull off the close victory 21-13 but that doesn't take away how they were able to hold West Virginia to just 188 rushing yards – WVU’s lowest total all season. South Florida scored their first touchdown when linebacker Ben Moffitt took a White pass back for six and the senior finished the game with two interceptions and nine tackles, two of them for losses. South Florida forced a whopping six turnovers, three of those interceptions. South Florida took a 14-0 lead right before the half and it was fitting. Matt Grothe was nearly sacked but the West Virginia secondary thought his knee was down and kind of gave up on the play, this was when receiver Carlton Mitchell was able to get open and catch a 55 yard touchdown. Grothe didn't have a great game -- throwing two interceptions and just 135 yards, but he held on for the win. The speed of the defense is what won the game for the Bulls and ended the national title hopes for WVU. There was a total of ten turnovers in the game.

Cincinnati – With their 52-23 victory at San Diego State, the Bearcats are now 5-0 and they have started to get the attention of the nation. Cincinnati is ranked in both polls, 20th in the AP. This is the first time they have been ranked since 1976. The offense exceeded efficiency with a total of 547 total yards. Ben Mauk continues to play well throwing for 257 yards and four touchdowns. Junior Dominick Goodman caught seven of those passes for 101 yards and two touchdowns. Marcus Barnett caught two touchdowns both in the 2nd quarter including an 80-yard score. The Cincinnati run defense was very good holding the Aztecs to 65 rushing yards (2.7 per carry).

Back to Losing:

Syracuse – After getting a huge victory over Louisville last week, the Orange were back to their old ways with a 17-14 loss at Miami (OH). The game was very sloppy, combining for a total of 17 penalties and four turnovers. The biggest mistake of the game occurred on a 4th and short -- the Red Hawks were planning on punting the ball back to Syracuse, instead a Syracuse player jumped offsides which gave Miami a first down. Later on that drive that Miami scored a touchdown, which proved to be a big one. Syracuse just could not stop the run, as their linebackers were exposed again allowing 286 yards on the ground. The bright spot was Andrew Robinson who played well, throwing for 236 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions. The line gave up a couple of big sacks and committed some crucial penalties to hold the Orange to only two touchdowns.

Pittsburgh – When the Panthers got off to a 2-0 start there was a little excitement in Pittsburgh, but after three straight losses, including two blowouts, Dave Wannstedt is back on the hot seat. They were taken behind the woodshed in Virginia losing 44-14. The Cavaliers put up 27 points in the first quarter scoring four touchdowns, two passing and two on the ground. Freshman LeSean McCoy was decent rushing for 85 yards and one touchdown but with no passing attack, it was tough to move the ball. The Pittsburgh defense allowed three touchdowns through the air.

Under the Radar:

Connecticut is 5-0…yeah their football team is 5-0. After dominating Pittsburgh, the Huskies continued rolling by crushing Akron 44-10. They put the game away in the third quarter scoring three touchdowns. Sophomore Andre Dixon rushed for 116 yards averaging a remarkable 9.7 yards per carry. Donald Brown rushed for 65 yards, both Brown and Dixon scored a touchdown.

Back to Business:

Louisville was coming off two loses and took out their frustration on NC State in their 29-10 win. Brian Brohm was 20/33 throwing for 251 yards and a touchdown. Brock Bolen got most of the carries rushing for 115 yards and a touchdown. The secondary allowed 249 passing yards but the Louisville defense forced five turnovers.

Freshman Spotlight: Even though Mike Ford of USF got only five carries he rushed for 42 yards, picking up a big chunk of yards on a crucial 35 yard run. Ford was great in South Florida's win at Auburn rushing for 74 yards and then 83 at home versus Elon. As the season progresses look for Ford to get more touches.

Big East Player of the Year Update: Because of two early losses, Louisville has lost a lot of the attention and hype it was getting before the year. Regardless receiver Harry Douglas just continues to dominate the receiving statistics. Douglas leads the conference in receptions, yards per game and touchdowns. Douglas is averaging 169.8 yards per game and is ahead of Ray Rice for the most all-purpose yards.

FROM THE DOME: THE BIG EAST REPORT

BY CHRISTOPHER J. MOGOLLON
BIG EAST INSIDER
Passing the Test: West Virginia: After wins over Western Michigan and Marshall it was time for WVU to beat up on a decent team from a BCS conference, and they did. As usual, the game was the Steve Slaton show, as the junior rushed for 137 yards and three touchdowns. It was Slaton’s 22-yard touchdown that put the game away in the third quarter, as he capped off drives with long rushes all day averaging 5.3 yards per rush. The longest run came from freshman Noel Devine, who added 136 yards on only five carries. The WVU defense stepped up shutting out the Terps in the second half and forcing three turnovers. They shut down the Maryland rushing attack in the second half only allowing 89 yards on the ground in the entire game.

Cincinnati: Coming off a huge win over Oregon State it was important for the Bearcats not to have a let down. Cincinnati dominated the entire game jumping out to a 23-0 and never looking back. With Ben Mauk out (sore arm), backup Dustin Grutza threw for 290 yards and two touchdowns. Tight End Connor Barwin had 11 receptions for 109 yards, a career high. The Bearcats only allowed 56 rushing yards and forced four turnovers. Sophomore receiver Marcus Barnett blocked a punt for a safety and then caught a touchdown pass all in the first quarter.

Upset Alert: The Cardinals can pretty much say goodbye to their national title hopes after a loss in Lexington. A very sloppy start for UL spotted Kentucky a 13-0 lead and then it was all Brian Brohm and Andre’ Woodson. Brohm finished the game throwing for 366 yards and two touchdowns hooking up with Harry Douglas 13 times for 223 yards. This NFL duo could not be stopped except for when they were on the sidelines when they watched Woodson and Rafael Little just run up and down on the U of L defense. Woodson threw for 275 yards and four touchdowns including the 57-yard game winner to Steve Johnson with 28 seconds remaining. Little rushed for 151 yards averaging 5.3 yards a touch. The Louisville defense did a terrible job, after a 100-yard kick off return by Trent Gay, they allowed Kentucky to march down field for touchdown. The Louisville offense responded with a long drive of their own capped off by an Anthony Allen two-yard plunge. However, once again the Cardinal’s defense failed to hold on to the lead, in addition to their national title hopes.

Just End It Already: Three games in and three blowout losses for Syracuse this season. Illinois is just a better and much faster team as the Orange continue to embarrass the conference. Just look at the rushing yards in the game: Syracuse was held to 63 yards, averaging 1.9 per rush, compared to Illinois who rushed for 378 yards. Juice Williams and Rashard Mendenhall could not be stopped, as the junior tailback rushed for 150 yards and three touchdowns. Sophomore defensive tackle Arthur Jones did have a decent game with a couple of big tackles early in the game but left the game in the third quarter with a knee injury.

Sloppy But Surely: With their victory over Temple, Connecticut starts the year 3-0 for the first time since 1998. Andre Dixon rushed for 129 yards and Donald Brown rushed for two touchdowns including the game winner early in the fourth quarter. Temple had several chances to get that lead back but the Huskies defense held strong in the end for a 22-17 victory.

Freshman Standout: In their 17-13 loss to Michigan State, freshman running back LeSean McCoy caught the eyes of many. McCoy rushed for 172 yards including a 64-yard touchdown earlier in the second quarter. McCoy also had two receptions in the game.

Blowout City: Rutgers just pounded Norfolk State as expected 59-0. Ray Rice just got twelve carries but still rushed for 72 yards and three touchdowns.

CFI PREVEW: THE BIG EAST

BY CHRISTOPHER J. MOGOLLON
BIG EAST INSIDER

12:00 – ESPN: Pittsburgh 2-0 (0-0) @ Michigan State 2-0 (0-0) - Neither team has had a true test yet and are off to good starts. Last year when these two teams hooked up in Heinz Field Javon Ringer just tore the Pitt D to pieces rushing for 156 yards. On the other side, Pitt could not run the ball and because of a bad start shied away from putting the ball on the ground only racking up 81 rushing yards.

Key Match up: Javon Ringer/Jehuu Caulcrick vs. Pitt Run Defense - When head coach Mark Dantonio cam to East Lansing the first thing he said is that the offense will make some major changes, they will become a tough team that can run the football down opponent’s throat. Pitt lost their captain last year an leading tackler in H.B Blades at linebacker, the big question for the Panthers was if they could stop the run and so far so good. Versus Eastern Michigan, they only allowed only 42 rushing yards and 84 when they played Grambling State, however this will be a very different running game. Ringer and Caulcrick complement each other very well. Ringer has some quick moves and it showed in home games against Bowling Green and UAB where he rushed for 80 and 83 yards. Caulcrick leads the team with five touchdowns, he is a little bigger than Ringer but has big play ability as well, just ask the Blazers who saw Caulcrick run for a 42-yard TD.

12:00 - ESPN360/Gameplan: Temple 0-2 (0-1) @ Connecticut 2-0 (0-0) - This is a must win for the Huskies if they’re thinking about being bowl bound. The Temple Owls have been probably the worst program in college football in the last past decade. There might be some animosity in this game because Connecticut replaced Temple in the Big East.

Key Match up: Donald Brown II vs. Temple Rush Defense - There was a lot of hype coming out of Storrs this year about Tyler Lorenzen who has played very well in his first two games, but it has been the rushing game that has raised eyebrows. Donald Brown had a good freshman year on the down low getting a mix of carries from week to week. He had a superb game in a thriller against Pittsburgh where he ran for 205 yards. Brown is picking up where he left off rushing for 87 yards vs. Maine and 94 at Duke averaging over 4.3 yards per carry in each of those games. To make matters worse for Temple, the Owls have been terrible against the run being dominated when they played Navy and allowing 224 rushing yards in their game versus Buffalo – look for Brown to continue the trend.

12:00 – ESPNU: Illinois 1-1 (0-0) @ Syracuse 0-2 (0-0) - Last year when these two schools played in Champaign the Orange played their best game of the year as they defeated the Illini 31-21, but the game was over at halftime. This season is different – Illinois seemingly has improve at almost every position with younger players stepping it up…where as somehow Syracuse has gotten worse at every position getting spanked in their first two games. The Orange have played decent for only one quarter this whole season so a lot is on the line here, it is important not to be embarrassed again unfortunately they face Illinois who has the talent to do so.

Key Match up: Juice Williams vs. SU Linebackers - Williams is only a sophomore and is still learning the position – he had a lot of trouble last year in both who to throw the ball to and when to run. In the first game of the year Williams had to leave in the second quarter because of a blow to the head and against Western Kentucky there was more running and safe plays than anything, this could be a coming out party for Juice. He has some tremendous receivers to throw too but what makes Williams so dangerous his quickness and speed. He can make defenses look silly avoiding sacks left and right, he loves to just rollout and throw deep passes. Syracuse has a poor linebacker corps, with no experience and even less speed. Ron Zook should definitely call some quarterback draws to take advantage of the lack of speed oas Juice looks to squeeze the Orange.

12:00 - ESPN360/Gameplan: Cincinnati 2-0 (0-0) @ Miami (OH) 1-1 (1-0) - This is a test for Cincy not to have a let down after such a big win. Miami will definitely be pumped to upset their interstate rival and win that beloved trophy. The Redhawks have won three of the last five games against their rival including a blowout the last time they played at Miami.

Key Match up: Ben Mauk vs. Miami Secondary - The Bearcats run that spread offense that Mauk has fit into perfectly so far. Mauk has thrown for 443 yards in just two games, along with four touchdowns. Mauk has also thrown for a 50-yard-plus scoring pass in each game. Miami has been hurt in the passing game already this year allowing 271 yards and four touchdowns at Minnesota and they also struggled in a win against Ball State. Cincy is a passing offense and in order for Miami (OH) to have a chance in this game they need to stop the pass and force Mauk to make a couple of mistakes.

3:30 - ESPN360/Gameplan: Norfolk State 1-0 (0-0) @ Rutgers 2-0 (0-0) - The Scarlet Knights have taken care of business so far and look for them to continue that at home when they play championship subdivision Norfolk State. RU dominated Buffalo and Navy and are riding a nine-game home winning steak that should continue.

Key Match up: Ray Rice vs. Norfolk State - What makes this game a guarantee win is the supremacy of Ray Rice compared to this lower level defense. When a Heisman candidate faces a championship subdivision program, it’s pretty much game over. Rice has already rushed for 359 yards five touchdowns and is averaging 5.8 yards per carry and he will have a couple big gains. The junior already has a 41-yard touchdown run this year, so look for Rice to pad his stats for the race for the Heisman.

LIVE FROM THE DOME: THE BIG EAST PREVIEW (PART II)

BY CHRISTOPHER J. MOGOLLON
BIG EAST INSIDER

7:00 – ESPN: Navy 1-0 @ Rutgers 1-0 (0-0) - This is a very interesting match up between an unranked Navy team against the 15th ranked Rutgers Scarlet Knights. Rutgers just has too much offense for a slower Navy defense. Ray Rice should have a good game being such a superstar back against a lesser defense. Last year when these two schools met it was a laugher, with RU winning 34-0. In the game, Mike Teel was very consistent completing most of his passes for 215 yards and three touchdowns. One intriguing match up will be the Navy secondary against the Rutgers speedy receivers. Navy isn’t usually blown out and has become a solid school making four consecutive bowls. Their flex-bone offense could be confusing like it was last week for Temple where tailback Shun White rushed for 122 yards and quarterback Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada rushed for 102. These two schools should be familiar with each other facing off for the fifth straight year, with Rutgers winning three out of four games.

LIVE FROM THE DOME: THE BIG EAST REPORT

BY CHRISTOPHER J. MOGOLLON
BIG EAST INSIDER

Rutgers 38 - Buffalo 3 - Ray Rice came out of the gate dominating, rushing for two touchdowns in the beginning of the first quarter. He carried the ball very well utilizing his speed to take advantage of a much slower Buffalo defense for some big runs. Rice had two long touchdown runs (34 yards, 41 yards) racking up three total touchdowns and 184 yards. Quarterback Mike Teel had a great performance throwing for 328 yards hooking up with junior receiver Tiquan Underwood ten times. Underwood’s speed was just too much, scoring two touchdowns with 248 yards getting many of those yards with his feet. Rutgers offense was more than Buffalo could handle -- a program that has just won six games in the last four seasons.

Cincinnati 59 - SE Missouri State 3 - The Bearcats struggled in the beginning of the game with a lot of penalties and drives that went nowhere. The passing game was very efficient as Wake Forest transfer Ben Mauk threw for 240 yards, getting the ball to ten different receivers. Marshawn Gilyard had the best game of the receivers catching the ball eight times for 136 yards including a 56-yard reception. In total, the Bearcats put up 612 total yards on offense using several different formations and digging deep down their depth chart. The defense played well forcing six turnovers including an INT for a touchdown.

Louisville 73 - Murray State 10 - Louisville put up the second most points of anyone in college football this week (Oklahoma 79 vs. N Texas) and did it early scoring 49 points in the first half. Heisman hopeful Brian Brohm had a field day throwing for 375 yards on 21 attempts with four touchdowns and zero interceptions. Harry Douglas stole the show catching five balls for 151 yards including touchdown grabs of 44 yards and 59 yards. Louisville ran for 261 yards with junior tailback George Stripling getting most of the carries for 92 yards. The defense did what they had to do forcing a turnover and the holding the Racers to only 271 total yards. Murray State was 5-16 on third down conversions.

Connecticut 45 - Duke 14 - In the battle of out of conference foes, the Big East spanked the ACC. The game started out very ugly but finally UCONN got on a role and never looked back. The defense was simply dominant holding Duke to 23 total rushing yards and forcing three interceptions, one going for a touchdown by Darius Butler late in the game. The new Huskies quarterback Tyler Lorenzen was also impressive throwing for 299 yards and going 22/30. Even though it was against Duke, UCONN did a great job of dominating the Devils in Durham in a very big opening win. Now if they did it on the hardwood instead of the gridiron it would be even more impressive.

South Florida 28 - Elon 13 - The Bulls didn’t come out and destroy there opponent like people thought but there defense always kept the game under control. South Florida didn’t have many big plays, but Matt Grothe had a solid game throwing for 227 yards and two touchdowns. He threw the ball for short passes getting 10 different receivers the ball. Elon had good field position a couple times because of great kickoff returns by Mike Mayers, but had to settle for field goals. The Bulls defense only allowed one touchdown when the game was already over with two minutes to go.

Pittsburgh 27 - Eastern Michigan 3 - The Panthers have a lot of pressure on them this season especially head coach Dave Wannstedt. Pittsburgh needed to make a statement especially on defense after losing team leader H.B Blades and playmaking corner Darrelle Revis, and they did. Pitt struggled at the beginning of the game with a new quarterback but Bill Stull settled down throwing for 175 yards, completing 14 out of 21 passes, mostly on short tosses. They did their attacking with their running backs splitting carries between LaRod Stephens-Howling (75 yards rushing) and LeSean McCoy (70 yards). The defense is where Pitt dominated holding Eastern Michigan to only 175 total yards. They put the game out of reach with a touchdown drive to start the second half, ending with sophomore Shane Brooks punching it in from the one.

West Virginia 62 - Western Michigan 24 - With two Heisman candidates on their team it was going to be tough for any MAC school to stop this powerhouse offense. Slaton did what he does best running for 109 yards and three touchdowns including a 58-yard run to open up the half. Slaton averaged 6.1 yards per carry and showed his versatile catching two balls, including a 50-yard pass on which Slaton made the Western Michigan defense look silly, a first but not a last for WVU foes this season. Patrick White rushed for 97 yards (two touchdowns) and his passing was efficient, for 192 yards and two touchdowns. WVU’s best receiver Darius Reynaud caught five balls for a total of 92 yards. West Virginia’s defense was a little shaky defending the pass allowing Jamarko Simmons to have 14 catches for 144 yards and two touchdowns, but they could not move the ball on the ground (34 rushing yards).

THE CFI TOP 25 COUNTDOWN: #16 RUTGERS

BY DANIEL MOGOLLON
CO-FOUNDER
COLLEGE FOOTBALL INSIDERS





2006 RECORD: 11-2; BIG EAST: 5-2
Won Texas Bowl vs. Kansas St. 37-10
LOCATION: Piscataway, New Jersey
STADIUM: Rutgers Stadium (41,500)
HEAD COACH: Greg Schiano
OVERALL: 31-40 (6 seasons)
AT RUTGERS: 31-40 (6 seasons)

No program has come further the last few years than the Scarlet Knights. Just four seasons ago, they were still in the midst of a 25-game Big East losing streak, while headman Greg Schiano completed his first four games at the helm with a record of 12-34. Who would have thought just two years later he would lead RU to a school record 11 wins and their first ever bowl victory? Now comes the hard part, doing it while everyone expects you to do it. This is a monumental season already, as they enter the year ranked after going three decades without cracking the polls until last season when they peaked at number seven.

WHEN THE KNIGHTS HAVE THE BALL

OFFENSIVE COORDINAROR: James McNulty (1st Season)
OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 7
KEY LOSSES: Brian Leonard, Clark Harris, Cameron Stephenson, Darnell Stapleton

The heart and soul of the Knights, Brian Leonard, has moved on so this is clearly Ray Rice’s team. The New Rochelle product had a spectacular sophomore season and RU cannot have anything less than a repeat performance, which will be challenging without his lead blocker. Rice is more quick than fast and is very durable for his size, leading all Division I backs in carries last season. Just as important is the evolution of Mike Teel, the strong-armed quarterback, who at times has displayed questionable decision making skills (14 TDs-to-23 INTs in his career). He finished 2006 strong and if he can carry that success over to this season, Rutgers could take another step forward. A big reason for Teel’s improved play was the emergence of true freshman Kenny Britt, giving them a legit number one threat. The line returns both tackles and the addition of incoming freshman Anthony Davis, possibly the school’s top recruit ever, could take their play in the trenches to another level.

PRO PROSPECTS: 1) Kenny Britt (SO), 2) Pedro Sosa (SR), 3) Ray Rice (JR), 4) Jeremy Zuttah (SR), 5) Anthony Davis (FR), 6) Mike Fladell (SR)

WHEN THE OTHER TEAM HAS THE BALL

DEFENSIVE COORDINAROR: Greg Schiano (6th Season)
DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 6
KEY LOSSES: Devraun Thompson, Ramel Meekins, Quientero Frierson, Derrick Roberson

They should be fine up front and on the last line of defense. Their most productive defenders from last season return in tackle Eric Foster and safety Courtney Greene making them strong up the middle. Foster is penetrating force, flanked on the outside by pass rushers Jamaal Westerman, in addition to up and coming sophomore George Johnson. Greene packs a wallop and he knows how to play centerfield, Ron Girault, another proven safety joins him in the secondary. The biggest question marks come at linebacker, where two starters are gone, there is talent, but they are young. The Scarlet Knights continue to become faster on defense, which should allow Schiano to be even more aggressive, a staple of his blitzing and attacking schemes.

PRO PROSPECTS: 1) Courtney Greene (JR), 2) George Johnson (SO), 3) Ron Girault (SR), 4) Eric Foster (SR), 5) Jamaal Westerman (JR), 6) Brandon Renkart, 7) Jason McCourty

THE SCHEDULE

Can you say cupcake? That’s what best describes the Scarlet Knights out of conference schedule, which consists of Buffalo, Navy, Norfolk St. and Army, with Maryland the only true test. Rutgers should begin the season 6-0 and they play a school record eight home games this season. For all intents and purposes, RU has a three-game season, as they play host to South Florida on Thursday night football, followed by a visit from West Virginia. If they can handle their business at home, Rutgers could be set up for a one-game showdown in their season finale at Louisville with the Big East title, a BCS bid and who knows, a National Championship appearance on the line.

PIVOTAL POINT

Rebuild or reload? Brian Leonard was a four-year starter in the backfield and they must replace his leadership on and off the field, in addition to a pair of All Big East linemen in Cameron Stephenson and Darnell Stapleton. Let us not forget tight end Clark Harris, a three-time selection himself. Defensively, end Ramel Meekins, as well as linebackers Devraun Thompson (four-year starter) and Quientero Frierson, were all mainstays during the turnaround of the last three seasons. The question is: will the influx of talent be enough to replace some of the largest losses Rutgers has experienced in years? If the Scarlet Knights can run through the entire season among the ranked, they will send the message that they are here to stay.

CFI FINAL ANALYSIS

This Rutgers unit is as talented as any in the recent memory at the Jersey school and could very well be good enough to crack the top ten or make a run at the Big East crown. However, I do not believe they are ready to make that leap. They could go 10-2 and still not be worthy of top ten ranking because the schedule is that weak. Last year they upset Louisville, but are just 1-4 versus ranked opponents over the last three years…and I’m not sure what is more telling…the fact they have one win in three years against a ranked team or only that they played just five ranked teams during that same span (1-12 under Schiano). The “new” Big East is better than advertised but I still cannot help but wonder how the Knights would fare in the SEC or Big Ten (as well as with a legit non-conference schedule). Nonetheless, it is hard to find anyone who has done a better rebuilding job than Schiano, who has brought the northeast back.

Check back tomorrow to see who is #15 in CFI’s Top 25 Countdown