'09 Football Opponent Preview: Rutgers
September 04, 2009 | Football
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- As college football fans across the country gear up for another exciting season of action on the gridiron, UofLSports.com will give Louisville fans breakdown, analysis and things to watch for on each of the Cardinals' 2009 opponents leading up to the start of the season.
The staff of UofLSports.com concludes its 2009 football season preview coverage with an in-depth look at the Cards' regular season finale against Rutgers.
 | Game Buildup |
Louisville will host Rutgers in their season finale on Nov. 27. The Cards 2008 campaign came to a bitter end with a 63-14 setback last year against the Scarlet Knights and they will be looking to avenge that loss in hopes of continuing their season. Rutgers holds a 6-2 series advantage, but has split their four meetings with UofL at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium.
| Season Outlook |
In 2008, Rutgers got off to a slow start as they went 1-5 in their first six contests. Then midway through the season the Scarlet Knights turned it on reeling off seven wins in a row, including a 29-23 win over North Carolina State in the Papajohns.com Bowl. They finished 8-5 (5-2 BIG EAST) and tied for second in the Big East.
Heading into the 2009 football season Rutgers is looking to continue their streak of four straight bowl appearances which includes three consecutive bowl victories. Even though the Scarlet Knights lost five key players to the NFL Draft, head coach Greg Schiano has eight offensive players returning to go along with six on defense. They will be joined by a recruiting class that was ranked 38th in the nation.
Many believe that the offensive line is the strength for Rutgers this year. Leading the way is All-American candidate Anthony Davis and Ryan Blaszczyk, who is a Rimington Trophy candidate. The Scarlet Knights were projected to finish 5th in the Big East preseason media poll.
| Players to Watch |
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Anthony Davis | OL | No. 75 | Junior
Anthony Davis enters his junior year with hopes of extending Rutgers three game bowl winning streak. In 2008, Davis was voted to the All-Big East Second Team by the conference's head coaches and All-BIG EAST First Team by the media while starting in all 12 games at left tackle for the Scarlet Knights. Davis is a candidate for the Outland Trophy Award for the second consecutive season and has been recognized for seven different honors in preseason publications.
Other Key Players
| Scouting Opponent's Offense |
Rutgers will have big shoes to fill at the quarterback position. Stepping in to handle the load under center will be a pair of redshirt seniors in Jabu Lovelace and Dominic Natale. Lovelace served as the backup in 2007, but played in just two games in 2008 after suffering a broken ankle. Natale made his debut as a Scarlet Knight last season, appearing in five games. The Michigan State transfer made a number of plays on key drives and will use that experience in live game action to compete for the position. Natale also benefited from an increased number of snaps during spring camp.
Also in the mix at quarterback will be redshirt freshmen D.C. Jefferson and Steve Shimko. True freshman Tom Savage will also battle for time under center during preseason camp for the Scarlet Knights.
The Scarlet Knights return its top three running backs from a year ago, including Kordell Young, the most seasoned running back in the group. Young, a redshirt junior, rushed for a team leading 554 yards and five touchdowns in limited action last season. Young returns this fall to shoulder the load but will have the support of sophomores Jourdan Brooks and Joe Martinek who both saw sufficient time at the position a year ago.
Senior Jack Corcoran was the full-time starter at fullback in 2008 and returns as another weapon in the backfield for the Scarlet Knights. Corcoran played in all 13 games, making eight starts and he increased his offensive production. Junior Andres Morales will also provide depth at the fullback position.
The Scarlet Knights will look to replace two major contributors in its wide receiver unit. Rutgers welcomes back senior Tim Brown, the leading returning receiver. Brown proved to be a valuable deep-ball threat for the Scarlet Knights hauling in a career-high six touchdowns to go along with one rushing score.
Adding depth at the wide receiver position will be redshirt junior Julian Hayes, redshirt senior Andrew DePaola, junior Mason Robinson, four redshirt freshmen in Marcus Cooper, Eddie Poole, Keith Stroud and Tim Wright and true freshman Mohamed Sanu. The group saw a great deal of action during the spring and will continue to compete for a position in the wide receiver rotation.
Redshirt junior Shamar Graves will take over at the tight end position. Graves emerged as the starter towards the end of last season, getting the nod in six of the final seven contests.
The Rutgers offensive line will be the most veteran of units returning for 2009 with all five starters still on the roster. Leading the group is second team All-BIG EAST selection and former Freshman All-American Anthony Davis, who started 12 games at left tackle last season. One of the most athletic members of the line, Davis enters his junior year with one full season at tackle after spending his freshman campaign at guard. The other bookend at the right tackle spot will be senior Kevin Haslam who took over the position after playing guard for most of the 2007 season. Haslam started all 13 games.
Senior Ryan Blaszczyk returns to man the center position after starting every game of the previous two seasons at the position. A Rimington Trophy candidate, Blaszczyk's experience will be invaluable for the Scarlet Knights as they make adjustments to new members on the offensive side of the ball, particularly at quarterback.
Seeing time at guard will be redshirt sophomore Caleb Ruch and true sophomore Art Forst. Ruch played in 11 games last season, earning time at a number of positions along the offensive line. Forst saw his first game experience in the Scarlet Knights' fifth game at West Virginia. He went on to start the final eight games of the 2008 campaign at right guard.
Adding depth to the offensive line will be redshirt juniors Howard Barbieri and Mo Lange and redshirt sophomores Desmond Stapleton and Richard Muldrow and redshirt freshman Devon Watkis. Sophomore Desmond Wynn was named the team's Most Improved Offensive Player in spring drills and could be another player to watch up front.
| Scouting Opponent's Defense |
Rutgers will be looking for a number of replacements on the defensive side of the ball. Leading the defensive line will be senior and two-year starter George Johnson. Anchoring the other side of the defensive line will be Alex Silvestro, who made the shift from the interior en route to starting all 13 games. He will be joined by fellow junior Jonathan Freeny who will also find himself in the mix along the defensive line following a solid sophomore campaign in a backup role.
Others who will be in contention for a spot on the defensive line will be senior Blair Bines, who made the transition to tackle after spending the first two seasons at linebacker, and sophomore Eric LeGrand. Adding depth to the defensive line will be redshirt junior Sorie Bayoh, junior Charlie Noonan, sophomore Justin Francis, redshirt freshman Scott Vallone and freshman Andre Civil.
Ryan D'Imperio returns for his senior season to anchor the linebackers after earning All-BIG EAST Second Team honors in 2008. Damaso Munoz, the other senior of the group, locked up the starting spot at strongside linebacker following an outstanding spring camp. Munoz made his bid for the position towards the end of 2008, after starting four of the final five games.
Also in the mix at linebacker is redshirt sophomore Manny Abreu. He played in all 13 games, making eight starts. Joining him in the battle for a spot will be juniors Antonio Lowery and Jim Dumont. The pair saw action primarily on special team, but can look forward to an increased role in 2009. Adding depth to the linebacker corps will be redshirt junior Edmond Laryea and sophomore Marvin Booker.
Rutgers will experience the biggest adjustments among its group of defensive backs. Filling in at safety will be senior Zaire Kitchen and junior Joe Lefeged. The pair rotated in the spot alongside Greene for much of the season, but can find themselves taking over at both free and strong safety.
At the cornerback position, senior Devin McCourty returns to the spot he has started for the past two seasons. He will be joined by fellow cornerbacks senior Billy Anderson and junior Brandon Bing.
Others who will be in the mix in the defensive backfield will be sophomores David Rowe and Patrick Kivlehan, along with redshirt freshmen Brandon Jones and Khaseem Greene.
| Scouting Opponent's Special Teams |
Rutgers returns placekicker San San Te and punter Teddy Dellaganna, who excelled in their first season as starters in 2008.
Te connected on 71 percent of his field goal attempts and 94 percent on extra points, while Dellagana finished with a punt average of 41.2 yards to go along with 18 punts downed inside the 20.
| Game Implications |
Louisville wants badly to rid the taste left in their mouths at the end of last season. The Cards will look to right the ship in hopes of reaching post-season play for the first time in three seasons.
This wraps up our in-depth coverage of Louisville's 2009 opponents. The Cardinals open their season at home on Saturday, Sept. 5 against Indiana State. For the most up-to-date information on Louisville Football, visit www.UofLSports.com.
