The Rutgers Scarlet Knights will kickoff their home opener at High Point Stadium today, at 3:55, when they face off against the Howard Bison in a non-conference matchup.
Fresh off a gritty 24-12 victory over Tulane last week, the Scarlet Knights are hoping to expand upon their somewhat minimal offense and capture their third consecutive home opener.
In the last two years, Rutgers has dominated the first game at High Point, topping Norfolk State and North Carolina Central by a combined score of 79-0. The Scarlet Knights are 97-36-10 in total home openers.
This afternoon’s game with be the third meeting between Rutgers and the Bison, with the Scarlet Knights holding a two game advantage. In their most recent matchup in 2009, Rutgers held Howard to minimal games, earning a 45-7 victory, spurred by 245 total rushing yards.
Both teams are coached by relatively new faces, as Gary Harrell enters his second season with Howard, while Kyle Flood enters just his second game with Rutgers.
Perhaps the biggest key for Rutgers in this afternoon’s game though, is solid defensive play.
Last week the Scarlet Knights allowed just eight rushing yards from Tulane, marking the sixth time since 2000 that Rutgers had held an opponent to less than 10 yards a game.
If they can once again stop the rush, and quickly get in the face of presumed Bison starter Jamie Cunningham, playing in only his second college game and first college start, the Scarlet Knights should be able to take control of the game quickly and set their own pace.
As of this morning, Rutgers is a 43-point favorite over the Bison.
This afternoon’s game will be covered on the BIG EAST Network, which will only be available in certain markets. In all other areas, including most of New York, the game can be seen on SNY.
For those in the New York metropolitan area, the game can be heard on the Rutgers Radio Network begins at 2:30 p.m. on WOR-710 AM. In Central New Jersey it will broadcast on WCTC-1450 AM and WIP-610 AM for Southern New Jersey.