Big East Football Media Day 2012: Rutgers Scarlet Knights Recap

The upbeat offseason for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights football program continued Tuesday at the Big East Conference annual media day in Newport, RI. For the Scarlet Knights, the day began by being named as the media's third-best choice to win the league's crown and ended with a lot of positive remarks from its first-year head coach Kyle Flood.

"I am fortunate to take over a program that has been to six bowl games in the last seven years, and has won the last five of those bowl games" said Flood, while speaking to the Big East media members. "And, while being able to do that, we've finished top 10 in the APR."

"Its as exciting a time of my life as I could have," said Flood.

Flood's excitement and enthusiasm stems from not only having lofty preseason expectations after going 9-4 last season and capturing a Pinstripe Bowl victory as the assistant coach under departed Greg Schiano, but also from the young talent the Scarlet Knights brought in via its 2012 recruiting class.

"We were able to bring in a recruiting class that on paper looks as talented as any we've ever had a Rutgers," said Flood in an interview with ESPNU on Tuesday.

"To be able to add those young people officially this Sunday (Aug. 5) when we start training camp its an extremely exciting time around Piscataway, for sure."

Rutgers' Media Day Preview

The biggest question entering the season, and its a big one, is the quarterback situation, which will feature (again) a competition between junior Chas Dodd and sophomore Gary Nova. Last year, both quarterbacks started under Schiano, who flipped flopped between the two multiple times, and provided limited production.

To solve the problem, Flood is going to take a wait-and-see approach and let the preseason battled decided the starter.

"I think its going to be a great battle," said Flood on Tuesday. "That's exactly how I anticipated it. We got some players who have won big games for us and that's going to create a great competition, and competition is great for everybody."

In a separate interview with ESPNU, Flood did say he's looking for one player to separate himself as the leader.

"I truly believe one will separate from the other and we gotta give that guy, whoever it is, about seven to 10 days of first-team reps, because at that position the first-team quarterback takes about all the reps, and that's what they need to compete at a high level."

The Scarlet Knights will report for their summer training camp this coming Sunday, and two players, linebacker Fred Overstreet and safety Rashad Knight, will not be on the roster as both player have transferred out. Also, missing the season will be guard Frank Quartucci and defensive lineman David Milewski, due to injuries.

For a full preview and updates on the Big East media day, check back to this SB Nation New York StoryStream. For on the Rutgers football program visit the SB Nation blog On The Banks, while Big East Coast Bias is all about the Big East Conference.

Big East Football Preseason Media Poll 2012: Rutgers Among Favorites To Earn Conference Crown -- Report

Despite entering the season with a brand new head coach and a starting quarterback quandary, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights football program received a preseason vote of confidence Tuesday, as it was picked to finish in third place in the eight-team Big East Conference, which was leaked by CBSSports.com's Brent McMurphy before the league's announcement at its media day in Newport, RI.

The Scarlet Knights, who finished last season with a 9-4 overall record and a Pinstripe Bowl victory, earned 144 points in the poll despite not earning one first place vote. Rutgers finished behind first-place Louisville Cardinals (24 first-place votes) and second-place South Florida Bulls (four first-place votes).

Meanwhile, the Syracuse Orange will enter their season as underdogs as they are projected to finish in seventh, just ahead of league newcomer the Temple Owls.

Here's the complete poll:

1. Louisville
2. USF
3. Rutgers
4. Cincinnati Bearcats
5. Pittsburgh Panthers
6. Connecticut Huskies
7. Syracuse
8. Temple

For more on the Big East football media day, check back to this SB Nation New York StoryStream. Meanwhile, for everything on the Big East Conference visit the the SB Nation blog Big East Coast Bias.

Big East Conference Football Media Day: Schedule, Online Streaming

For the last time in Big East Conference history Tuesday, the Syracuse Orange and Pittsburgh Panthers will be a part of the league's annual media day in Newport, RI. That will be the biggest storyline, along with which team is seen as the favorite to earn the conference's crown?

Starting at 8:55 p.m. ET at BigEast.tv, the league will begin its media day as all eight of the league's head coaches will take the podium. Below is the schedule of each coaches' press conference:

Schedule of Events
8:55 a.m.: Show open
9:00 a.m.: Opening Remarks (Interim Commissioner Joe Bailey)
9:15 a.m.: Coaches’ opening remarks
9:45 a.m.: Players join BIG EAST Media Day Show
11:00 a.m. Coaches join BIG EAST Media Day Show
11:00 a.m.: Doug Marrone, Syracuse
11:10 a.m: Paul Chryst, Pittsburgh
11:20 a.m.: Steve Addazio, Temple
11:30 a.m.: Skip Holtz, USF
11:40 a.m.: Kyle Flood, Rutgers
11:50 a.m.: Charlie Strong, Louisville
Noon: Paul Pasqualoni, UConn
12:15: Butch Jones, Cincinnati

Big East Media Day Info:

Where: Newport, RI.
When: July 30-31.
You Can Watch: BigEast.tv
Twitter hashtag: #bemediaday

Meanwhile, each program has brought player representatives, which will be asked questions about the upcoming season. Here's a list of each school's representatives:

Cincinnati
Maalik Bomar, LB
Austin Bujnoch, OL
Walter Stewart, DE

Connecticut
Ryan Griffin, TE
Lyle McCombs, RB
Trevardo Williams, DE
Blidi Wreh-Wilson, CB

Louisville
Mario Benavides, C
Adrian Bushell, CB
Alex Kupper, OT
Hakeem Smith, S

Pittsburgh
Aaron Donald, DE
Ray Graham, RB
Jarred Holley, S

Rutgers
Khaseem Greene, LB
Duron Harmon, S
Mark Harrison, WR
Scott Vallone, DT

USF
Sam Barrington, LB
B.J. Daniels, QB
Evan Landi, TE
Kayvon Webster, CB

Syracuse
Justin Pugh, OT
Zack Chibane, OG
Alec Lemon, WR
Shamarko Thomas, SS
Jay Bromley, DT

Temple
Chris Coyer, QB
Marcus Green, DE
Brandon McManus, K/P
Martin Wallace, OT

For your curiosity, SB Nation New York has put together media day previews for each program (click the team to view the preview): Cincinnati Bearcats, Connecticut Huskies, Louisville Cardinals, Pittsburgh Panthers, Rutgers Scarlet Knights, USF Bulls, Syracuse Orange and Temple Owls.

And finally, here's an SB Nation YouTube preview of the Big East Conference!

For more on the Big East football media day, check back to this SB Nation New York StoryStream. Meanwhile, for everything on the Big East Conference visit the the SB Nation blog Big East Coast Bias.

Big East Football Media Day: Syracuse Orange Preview

If there's one Big East Conference football program that enters the season with the most question marks, it could be the Syracuse Orange. Coming off one of the programs most turbulent years under now fourth-year head coach Doug Marrone -- SU began the season 5-2 before losing five straight to end the year -- SU gridiron fans really don't know what to expect, especially when its squad will play the nation's toughest non-conference schedule.

Despite the tough out-of-conference slate, which includes national title contenders the USC Trojans and Missouri Tigers, Syracuse will need to deal with a league it finished seventh out of eight teams last season. The Orange ended their year with five straight losses, all Big East games, and seemed like a completely different team which earned its way into and won the Pinstripe Bowl a season before.

For the third full season, senior quarterback Ryan Nassib will be the Orange's starting quarterback. Nassib is coming off a solid 2011-12 campaign and will begin the year fourth in school history in passing yards (5,441) and touchdowns passes (44).

Other than Nassib, the Orange have a lot of issues on offense that need to be answered, and quickly. First, SU is still lacking a big-play threat at the wide receiver position, even though, senior Alec Lemon earned Big East Second-Team honors last year. Fans are hoping returner Marcus Sales, who missed last year with a suspension, can be Nassib's play-making guy.

The Orange will also try and figure out who's going to replace running back Antwon Bailey?; and what's the health situation with Big East First-Team selection, offensive tackle Justin Pugh?

On defense, Syracuse should see improvements as Marquis Spruill, a Big East Second-Team selection, returns along with seven other players on defense, including last year's impactful rookies linebackers Cameron Lynch and Dyshawn Davis.

Representing the Orange at the Big East media day will be Pugh, Lemon, offensive guard Zack Chibane, safety Shamarko Thomas and defensive tackle Jay Bromley.

For a full preview and updates on the Big East media day, check back to this SB Nation New York StoryStream. For on the Syracuse football program visit the SB Nation blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician, while Big East Coast Bias is all about the Big East Conference.

Big East Football Media Day: Rutgers Football Preview

For probably just the second time in its program history, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team will enter a season with pretty high expectations. Playing in a everybody-has-a-shot-to-win-this-thing Big East Conference, the Scarlet Knights should be one of the favorites to earn the league’s crown.

How could this be for a team that lost its head coach, Greg Schiano, just weeks before National Signing Day? Well, that’s because the Scarlet Knights, led by athletic director Tim Pernetti, stayed to its scarlet roots and promoted its offensive line/assistant coach Kyle Flood to the head position.

The result led to probably the best recruiting class Rutgers has ever assembled. With the newly infused talent, led by five-star defensive end Darius Hamilton and sophomore running back Savon Huggins, who’s expected to have a bounce-back season as he recovers from an injured plague freshman season, the Scarlet Knights’ should get a young-talent boost.

Meanwhile, Rutgers’ returners, led by Co-Big East Defensive Player of the Year linebacker Khaseem Greene, defensive tackle Scott Vallone, quarterbacks junior Chas Dodd and sophomore Gary Nova and wide receiver Mark Harrison, should give the Scarlet Knights enough leadership to sustain some consistency.

At the Big East media day, Greene, Harrison, Vallone and safety Duron Harmon will be the team’s representatives. The biggest question all four will face is about the squad’s quarterback situation, which will feature a two former starters, Dodd and Nova, battling for the team’s top spot.

For a full preview and updates on the Big East media day, check back to this SB Nation New York StoryStream. For on the Rutgers football program visit the SB Nation blog On The Banks, while Big East Coast Bias is all about the Big East Conference.

Big East Football Media Day: Temple Owls Preview

After years of being the kid not cool enough to be a part of the Big East Conference club, the Temple Owls' football program makes its return to the dance floor in 2012-13. Needing to fill a hole, created by the quickly departing West Virginia Mountaineers, the league re-invited the Philadelphia-based school after kicking it out in '04.

There seems to be no hard feelings between the two entities, and the Owls will be looking to make a statement in their first year back. And, there's a strong possibility Temple could do that, as last season under first-year head coach Steve Addazio the Owls went 9-4 overall and finished second in the Mid-American Conference.

Over the last three seasons, Temple has compiled more victories than any three-year period.

Representing Temple at the Big East media day will be returning quarterback Chris Coyer, who led the MAC in passing efficiency last season, defensive end Marcus Green, kicker/punter Brandon McManus and offensive tackle Martin Wallace.

For a full preview and updates on the Big East media day, check back to this SB Nation New York StoryStream. For coverage on the Big East Conference, check out the SB Nation blog Big East Coast Bias.

Big East Football Media Day 2012: USF Bulls Preview

The head coach under the biggest presser heading into the 2012-13 season, is probably South Florida Bulls' headman Skip Holtz. Seemingly immersed in talent, Holtz led the Bulls to just a 5-7 record last season after bolting out to a 4-0 start.

Now, Holtz needs results -- specifically a Big East Conference championship -- to probably keep his job.

The reason why expectations in Tampa are so high, is the return of quarterback B.J. Daniels, who will enter the season ranked seventh in Big East history in total offense (7,992 yards). Daniels has all the tools to be a Heisman Trophy candidate, but inconsistent play has been his downfall.

On defense, linebackers Sam Barrington, Michael Lanaris and DeDe Lattimore all return. All three players compiled more than 70 tackles each and combined for a total of 10 1/2 sacks.

Representing USF at the Big East media day will be Daniels, Barrington, tight end Evan Landi and cornerback
Kayvon Webster.

For a full preview and updates on the Big East media day, check back to this SB Nation New York StoryStream. For on the USF football program visit the SB Nation blog Voodoo Five, while Big East Coast Bias is all about the Big East Conference.

Big East Football Media Day 2012: Pittsburgh Panthers Preview

Its tough to win games and earn bowl berths when a program has featured four head coaches in less than three seasons. Well, for the Pittsburgh Panthers, the trend of a coaching carousel continues this season, as Paul Chryst takes over at Pitt, which is looking to do better than its 6-7 overall record in 2011-12.

The Panthers, who finished fourth in the league with a 4-3 record, has the key components to put together a rebound year. The first piece is having maybe the leagues best player in running back Ray Graham, who last season was the Big East's leading rusher -- actually, he was ranked second in the nation in yards per game -- before going down with a season-ending knee injury.

The second piece is the return of quarterback Tino Sunseri, who has been Pitt's starter in its last 26 games and will be throwing to a returning core of wide receivers -- Devin Street and Mike Shanahan.

Representing the Panthers at Big East media day will be Graham, defensive end Aaron Donald and saftey Jarred Holley, who earned First-Team All-Big East honors last season and second-team honors in '10.

For a full preview and updates on the Big East media day, check back to this SB Nation New York StoryStream. For on the Louisville football program visit the SB Nation blog Cardiac Hill, while Big East Coast Bias is all about the Big East Conference.

Big East Football Media Day 2012: Louisville Cardinals Preview

The biggest surprise in the Big East Conference last season was the Louisville Cardinals. Picked to finish seventh out of eight teams by the media in the preseason polls, the Cardinals defied the odds and finished with a 5-2 league record. The effort was good enough for Louisville (7-6 overall) to earn a share of the conference crown.

Much of the credit for the Cardinals success was given to third-year head coach Charlie Strong, who convinced his players to play a very physical form of football which wore down league opponents.

That trend of tough-noised football should continue this season, as the Cardinals return nine players on a defense that ranked No. 23 in the country. However, the returner with the biggest expectations will be sophomore quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who earned Big East Rookie of the Year honors after throwing for 2,129 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Bridgewater, however, will not be representing the Cardinals at Big East media day. Those honors will go to center Mario Benavides, who has a career 34 starts, cornerback Adrian Bushell and Hakeem Smith -- both players earned Big East First-Team honors in '11-12 -- and offensive tackle Alex Kupper, who started all 13 games last year.

Its expected that when the Big East preseason polls come out, the Cardinals will be a top the list.

For a full preview and updates on the Big East media day, check back to this SB Nation New York StoryStream. For on the Louisville football program visit the SB Nation blog Cards Chronicle, while Big East Coast Bias is all about the Big East Conference.

Big East Football Media Day: UConn Huskies Preview

The Connecticut Huskies football program enters the 2012-13 season, as one of the biggest questions marks in the league. Last season was a tough one for UConn, which compiled a 5-7 record under first-year head coach Paul Pasqualoni and missed a bowl game just a year after earning the conference's BCS bowl bid.

One of the biggest reasons for the Huskies regression was the lack of a true No. 1 quarterback, as three players -- Johnny McEntee, Scott McCummings and Jonathan Jean-Louis -- saw a solid amount of playing time behind center but production was minimal at best.

This season, both McEntee and McCummings return and a progression in play from either would help UConn rebound.

What should be consistent for the Huskies is the play of sophomore running back Lyle McCombs, who rushed for 1,151 yards last year.

The defensive returns eight starters including three at the linebacker position and defensive end Trevardo Williams.

At the Big East media day, both McCombs and Williams will be UConn representatives, as well as, tight end Ryan Griffin and corner back Blidi Wreh-Wilson.

For a full preview and updates on the Big East media day, check back to this SB Nation New York StoryStream. For on the UConn football program visit the SB Nation blog The UConn Blog, while Big East Coast Bias is all about the Big East Conference.

Big East Football Media Day 2012: Cincinnati Bearcats Preview

Since joining the Big East Conference, the Cincinnati Bearcats football program has been a consistent presence at the top of the final regular season standings. The trend is expected to continue this season, as second-year head coach Butch Jones brings back a total of 12 starters (five on offense and seven on defense) from a Bearcats squad that finished with a 10-3 record and finished No. 25 in the final AP Poll.

Despite the leadership coming back, Cincy will need to somehow replace its starting quarterback Zach Collaros, last season's Big East Offense Player of the Year, running back Isiah Pead, and Big East Defensive Player of the Year, defensive tackle Derek Wolfe.

That responsibility will hang on the shoulders of first-year starting quarterback Munchie Legaux.

The junior, which backed-up Collaros last year, will enter the season in a new roll, but he will not be a normal wide-eyed, first-year starter, as he played in 11 games in '11-12 and made 116 passing attempts. If Legaux cannot get the job done, then Brendon Kay could possibly get a shot.

Legaux will not make the trip to Newport, RI for the Big East media day, as the Bearcats will be represented by linebacker Maalik Bomar, offensive linemen Austen Bujnoch and defensive end Walter Stewart.

Last season, Bomar played in 13 games and made 60 tackles.

Overall, Cincinnati will be looking to collect at least a share of the Big East crown for the fourth time in five seasons.

For a full preview and updates on the Big East media day, check back to this SB Nation New York StoryStream. For on the Cincinnati football program visit the SB Nation blog Down The Drive, while Big East Coast Bias is all about the Big East Conference.

Big East Conference Football Media Day: Schedule, Storylines, Player Interview List