Rutgers Gameday: Scarlet Knights host North Carolina Central in season opener

Rutgers vs. North Carolina Central Tonight, 7:30 p.m. High Point Solutions Stadium, Piscataway TV: ESPN3.com Radio: 1450-AM, 710-AM, 97.5-FM

THE STORYLINES

1. Has Rutgers offensive line improved enough to make it through a game against an FCS opponent without yielding a sack? Norfolk State, a MEAC school like N.C. Central, recorded three sacks in last years opener against the Scarlet Knights which should have been an immediate tip off to how much the unit would struggle that season. In allowing an NCAA record 61 sacks, Rutgers^[1] gave up at least one in all 12 games in 2010. The good news/bad news: Four of those O-line starters are back, but the return to a pro-style offense is supposed to help. N.C. Central, with five returning defensive starters, doesnt have a player who recorded more than two sacks last season. A sack-free performance should be possible.

2. How much of heralded true freshman running back Savon Huggins^[2] will we see especially with North Carolina waiting in nine days? Huggins will get his share of playing time and may even start. He might get enough carries to flirt with 100 yards rushing in his collegiate debut, too. But dont expect to see the wraps taken off Huggins just yet. Its too soon. This is one of those games where the coaches want to get Huggins just enough of a feel for game action without revealing too much. Its even possible, if the game is lopsided, that redshirt freshman Jawan Jamison will wind up with the most carries of all the tailbacks almost all after halftime. It may be the only time this season that happens.

3. Will the four new rotating defensive ends (Manny Abreu, Marvin Booker, KaLial Glaud and Michael Larrow) be able to generate the pass rush on the perimeter that this team desperately needs? Again, reference last years opener against Norfolk State. Rutgers totaled just two sacks that game a sign of things to come. For a three-game stretch last fall (Tulane, North Carolina and Army) the Knights didnt record a sack. Then they managed one apiece against Pitt and USF. So the need to put pressure on the QB from the outside is essential. Abreu was moved from linebacker to do so, as were Booker and Glaud. Larrow was switched from tackle. They havent been pass-rushing factors in the past (largely because they were at different positions), combining for just one sack last season.

4. How many true freshmen will see playing time? An opener like this one usually provides an immediate look into which first-year players the coaches feel have the potential to contribute during the season. For now, five true freshmen (OT Kaleb Johnson, QB Gary Nova, Huggins, DT Kennth Kirksey and LB Kevin Snyder) are listed on the two-deep roster. All are expected to see playing time tonight. After that it will be interesting to see how many of their classmates make their collegiate debuts. Miles Shuler, as a wide receiver and return specialist, is one who could easily be added to the list.

5. How much has quarterback Chas Dodd improved from last season? The confidence, the poise, the complete grasp of the offense ... its all there now and its obvious that this is Dodds team.^[3] That wasnt the case last year with Tom Savage still hovering, even as Dodd started the final eight games as a true freshman.



He showed enough flashes of promise then to hint at bigger things now that he has some experience. For most of pre-season camp, Dodd was sharp. This offense requires quick decision-making, which plays into one of Dodds strengths. The key now for Dodd is to improve his accuracy. He finished at 55.2 percent last year (under duress, we know) but in this offense he needs to be in the low 60s to be effective.

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THE HISTORY This is the first meeting between the schools. North Carolina Central, which is making the jump to the FCS level from Division 2, belongs to the MEAC. Rutgers is 7-0 all time against MEAC schools (5-0 under coach Greg Schiano).

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YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW, BUT ... This marks the fifth straight year that Rutgers wont open its season on a Saturday. The 2010 opener was on a Thursday, 2009 and 2008 started with Monday games and the 2007 campaign began on a Thursday.

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FOUR DOWNS WITH ... Linebacker Jamal Merrell

1. You havent played at all your first two seasons. Will you be nervous tonight? I wouldnt say Im nervous. Ive been playing football since Im 6. We practice hard, almost like games. Ive always felt preparation is everything. So the game is the ending point, just doing everything the way you have been doing it in practice.

2. Is this how you thought your first college action would play out with you starting at strong side linebacker? Ive tried to get a position here at a couple of places. I came here as a wide receiver, then I moved to defensive end and then it was linebacker. Wherever they put me Ill just keep working hard. I think this position fits me. Im tall, Im rangy and I like to hit.

3. Is the physical aspect of the position and all the hitting involved something youre comfortable with? Ive always been a guy who loves to hit. It was that way in high school. College is no different. Find the ball and make the hit.

4. What will it be like just to play in a game again something you havent done since you were a high school senior in 2008? I played in the spring game, so I feel as though that was like a real game, playing against my teammates. Mentally and physically, being back at game speed then, I think it helped prepare me. Thats close to a real game. So I feel like Im ready for this.

Tom Luicci: tluicci@starledger.com^[4]

References

1. ^{^} Rutgers (www.nj.com)
2. ^{^} heralded true freshman running back Savon Huggins (www.nj.com)
3. ^{^} this is Dodds team. (www.nj.com)
4. ^{^} tluicci@starledger.com (www.nj.com)