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."
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.