SB Nation New York - Rutgers 34, Pittsburgh 10: Ryan Logan Earns Big East Defensive Player Of The Weekhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48977/ny-fave.png2011-10-16T20:42:25-04:00http://newyork.sbnation.com/rss/stream/22327272011-10-16T20:42:25-04:002011-10-16T20:42:25-04:00Rutgers Football: Greg Schiano Needs To Start Gary Nova Against Louisville
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<p>Rutgers University head football coach Greg Schiano is unsure who his starter will be for the Scarlet Knights' Week 8 match up at Louisville. The decision is easy. It should be Gary Nova.</p> <p>Just when Rutgers University football fans thought that its quarterback situation was settled, freshman <a href="../../ncaa-football/players/134152/gary-nova" class="sbn-auto-link">Gary Nova</a> struggled in a 21-20 victory over Navy Saturday and head coach Greg Sciano <a href="http://www.nj.com/rutgersfootball/index.ssf/2011/10/rutgers_gary_nova_leanrs_hard.html">has some doubts about his starting quarterback heading into Friday's Week 8, Big East Conference match up at the University of Louisville</a> (8 p.m. on ESPN2).</p>
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<p>"We are just going to evaluate who gives us the best chance to win," coach Greg Schiano said of his QB situation. "It is the same guy who rolled that dig into Tim Wright in the back of the end zone — that is an NFL throw. That is a third guy down and he just nails that thing.</p>
<p>"You are going to live with some growing pains, but not at all costs. We have another good quarterback on the roster and (offensive coordinator) Frank (Cignetti) and I talk all the time about it. Sometimes you make some decisions on your gut and you go with it."</p>
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<p>Nova did post a collegiate-best 271 passing yards against the Midshipmen, but his second-quarter interception -- which was a pass tipped by Navy linebacker <a href="../../ncaa-football/players/76456/matt-warrick" class="sbn-auto-link">Matt Warrick</a> that landed in the arms of safety Chris Ferguson, who ran the ball 16 yards into the end zone -- made a lot of Rutgers' fans cringe.</p>
<p>Nova, who finished the game with two INTs, did rebound with two second-half passing TDs, the last was a 20-yarder to wide receiver Tim Wright and it gave Rutgers a 21-17 lead with 12:57 remaining in the fourth.</p>
<p>However, Nova's heroics didn't last long. On the Scarlet Knights' second to last possession of the game, and the score 21-20 after a 41-yard field goal by Navy kicker Jon Teague with 7:52 remaining cut the margin, the true freshman threw an interception deep inside Rutgers territory.</p>
<p>Luckily, the Scarlet Knight defense and special teams showed up -- Navy took over at the Rutgers' 23-yard line and had a go-ahead field goal blocked -- and helped Rutgers escape with the win and improve to 5-1 overall, just one more win away from becoming bowl eligible.</p>
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<p>"I really don't care," Nova said after the win. "The win is all that matters in the end. We did it for each other. We played hard and we got the win."</p>
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<p>Nova is correct. A victory is all the matters and Schiano needs to stick with his freshman through his on-and-off play. It's obvious that Nova is the best quarterback on the roster and the only way that he's going to learn is to play and make mistakes.</p>
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<p>"Nova needs to relax and let the game slow down - those are qualities that come with time," wrote SB Nation's blog On The Banks Sunday morning in<a href="http://www.onthebanks.com/2011/10/16/2492723/winning-ugly-rutgers-survives-navy-21-20"> its post-game recap</a>, "and he is already far ahead of the curve in those respects. It's that Nova is so ordinarily polished that his gaffes seem that more inexplicable. He looks like an upperclassman most of the time, but every so often, his inner freshman comes to the surface in forcing passes instead of being content to dissect the opposing defense by finding an open receiver."</p>
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<p>If next week, sophomore quarterback <a href="../../ncaa-football/players/114326/chas-dodd" class="sbn-auto-link">Chas Dodd</a>, who started Rutgers' first four games before being pulled midway through the third quarter against Syracuse University, is starting then Rutgers will not be taking a step forward, but a step back.</p>
<p>Schiano needs to stop with the game-by-game analysis and work with Nova to get better. This quarterback "controversy" doesn't help build chemistry, it ruins it. It forces players not named Chas or Gary to pick sides and that's never good to have in a locker room -- especially, in a locker room with growning talent that needs to find consistency.</p>
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<td class="td-name td-first">2011 - <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134152/gary-nova">Gary Nova</a>
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<p>In a way, Schiano can be blamed for his team's inconsistency because of his stance on his quarterback situation -- and his offensive line situation, and the running back situation. The Scarlet Knights are six games into the season, they should know, at least a little bit, of what they have and what they don't have. Right now, Schiano is coaching Rutgers like he's an NFL coach on the hot seat whoneeds to win to keep his job.</p>
<p>No worries coach. This isn't the NFL, your job is secure and your team has a bright future. Now, commit to it.</p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/rutgers-scarlet-knights/2011/10/16/2493724/rutgers-football-greg-schiano-gary-nova-stats-louisville-big-east-conferenceJared Smith2011-10-10T10:28:51-04:002011-10-10T10:28:51-04:00Rutgers Football: Ryan Logan Earns Big East Defensive Player Of Week
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<p>For the third straight week a Rutgers University football player has been named the Big East Conference Defensive Player Of The Week. On Monday, sophomore cornerback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/87456/logan-ryan">Logan Ryan</a> earned the honor after snagging two interceptions, including a 45-yard pick-six that cemented the Scarlet Knights' 34-10 victory over Big East foe the University of Pittsburgh Saturday. Ryan also tallied a pass break up and four tackles.</p>
<p>Overall, the Rutgers defense totaled four interceptions and six sacks, while allowing just 271 total yards.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, senior defensive tackle <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/6241/justin-francis">Justin Francis</a> was named to the Big East honor roll. Francis collected eight tackles, four for a loss, and 2.5 sacks.</p>
<p>Currently, the Scarlet Knights (4-1, 2-0 Big East) are atop the Big East standings. West Virginia University (5-1, 1-0) is behind Rutgers, while Pitt (3-3, 1-1) is in third.</p>
<p><i>The Rutgers football schedule features the Scarlet Knights hosting Navy on Saturday (2 p.m.). The following week, Rutgers will host the University of Louisville, Friday, Oct. 21 (8 p.m. on ESPN2)</i>.</p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/rutgers-scarlet-knights/2011/10/10/2480769/rutgers-football-schedule-ryan-logan-big-east-conference-standigns-justin-francis-scarlet-knightsJared Smith2011-10-08T20:02:04-04:002011-10-08T20:02:04-04:00Rutgers Football: Scarlet Knights Defense Key In Upset Over Pittsburgh
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<p>The Rutgers University football program used a spectacular four-touchdown second-half performance Saturday <a href="http://newyork.sbnation.com/rutgers-scarlet-knights/2011/10/8/2477789/rutgers-pittsburgh-2011-score-football-schedule-big-east-conference-gary-nova-ray-graham/in/2232727">to beat the University of Pittsburgh, 34-10,</a> in a Big East Conference game at High Point Solutions Stadium in Piscataway, NJ. True freshman quarterback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134152/gary-nova">Gary Nova</a> tossed for two TDs, while freshman running back <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134156/savon-huggins">Savon Huggins</a> ran for another, but it was the Rutgers' defense that sparked the offense in the Scarlet Knights third straight victory. Rutgers is 4-1 overall.</p>
<p>Rutgers defense collected four interceptions, three off of Pittsburgh senior quarterback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../../ncaa-football/players/37486/tino-sunseri">Tino Sunseri</a>, and one was returned by sophomore corner back <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../../ncaa-football/players/87456/logan-ryan">Logan Ryan</a> for a 45-yard TD, which capped the game's scoring with 6:06 to go in the fourth quarter. The Scarlet Knights also collected six sacks, 2.5 from senior defensive tackle Justin Francis.</p>
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<p>"It was a total defense thing," said Francis after the game. "My defense, they have my back. I got to have my defense back there. It showed on the field. We played fast, we played violent, we had fun and it showed."</p>
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<p>Despite the game-opening drive, which lead to a 29-yard field goal by Pittsburgh senior kicker <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37494/kevin-harper">Kevin Harper</a>, the Scarlet Knights defense didn't allow the Panthers to get out of their own territory in the first half. The second half featured only two trips inside Rutgers territory for Pitt, and only one of those drives led to points -- a three-yard plunge by junior tailback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/75526/ray-graham">Ray Graham</a>.</p>
<p>All game long, the Scarlet Knight defense gave its offense great field position, which led to Rutgers dominating in time of possession, 34:57 to 25:03. Rutgers also held Pitt to only 2-of-14 on third-down conversions.</p>
<p>Last week, in a 19-16 victory over Syracuse University, the Rutgers defense was just as effective. The Scarlet Knights held the Orange offense to just three field goals -- SU's lone TD came on the defensive side -- and forced five turnovers. The final turnover came in double overtime and ended the game. In five games, the defense has forced 24 turnovers.</p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/rutgers-scarlet-knights/2011/10/8/2477878/rutgers-football-schedule-defense-logan-ryan-gary-nova-sovan-hugginsJared Smith2011-10-08T19:10:02-04:002011-10-08T19:10:02-04:00Final Score: Rutgers 34, Pittsburgh 10
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<p>True freshman quarterback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134152/gary-nova">Gary Nova</a> completed 11-of-24 passes for 174 yards and two touchdowns for Rutgers University, which used four second-half TDs Saturday to beat the University of Pittsburgh, 34-10, in a Big East Conference game at High Point Solutions Stadium in Piscataway, NJ. The victory snapped the Scarlet Knights two-game losing streak to Pitt (3-3, 1-1 Big East) and vaulted Rutgers (4-2, 2-0) to the top of the Big East standings.</p>
<p>Nova, who got the starting nod over sophomore <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114326/chas-dodd">Chas Dodd</a>, connected on two third-quarter TDs to propel his team to its third straight win. The first TD was a six-yarder to junior wide receiver <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/87475/mark-harrison">Mark Harrison</a>, which gave Rutgers a 13-3 advantage about midway through the third quarter. The other was a late-third quarter screen pass to senior fullback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/6182/joe-martinek">Joe Martinek</a>, who took it 60 yards to the end zone and extended the Scarlet Knights lead to 20-3.</p>
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<p>"It is a feeling I've dreamed of my whole life," said Martinek, who finished the game with five catches for 76 yards. "A pack stadium, the fans going crazy. It is such a great feeling."</p>
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<p>Then, with the game at 20-10 early in the fourth quarter, Rutgers picked off Pitt's junior quarterback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37486/tino-sunseri">Tino Sunseri</a> deep inside Panthers' territory. The Scarlet Knights used just three plays to score their third second-half TD, a three-yard plug by freshman running back <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134156/savon-huggins">Savon Huggins</a>, to increase the margin to 27-10 with 13:06 remaining in the game.</p>
<p>Rutgers cemented the victory late in the fourth quarter when sophomore cornerback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/87456/logan-ryan">Logan Ryan</a> picked off Sunseri and ran it back 45 yards for a TD. The interception was Sunseri's third pick of the game and Rutgers fourth of the day. The Scarlet Knights defense finished the contest with six sacks.</p>
<p>Pittsburgh junior running back <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/75526/ray-graham">Ray Graham</a> ran for 162 yards. Graham leads the nation with 896-rushing yards.</p>
<p><i>Next week, the Rutgers football schedule features the Scarlet Knights hosting non-conference opponent Navy. Check back to </i><a href="http://newyork.sbnation.com/">SB Nation New York</a><i> for more on Rutgers victory over Pitt.</i></p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/rutgers-scarlet-knights/2011/10/8/2477789/rutgers-pittsburgh-2011-score-football-schedule-big-east-conference-gary-nova-ray-grahamJared Smith2011-10-08T17:10:56-04:002011-10-08T17:10:56-04:00Rutgers 6, Pittsburgh 3: Halftime Score
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<p>University of Pittsburgh junior quarterback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37486/tino-sunseri">Tino Sunseri</a> has thrown two interceptions and Rutgers University has kicked two field goals to take a 6-3 halftime advantage in a Big East Conference football game at High Point Solutions Stadium in Piscataway, NJ. Senior kicker <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/6154/san-san-te">San San Te</a> connected a career-long 50-yard field goal in the first quarter, and then nailed a 44-yarder in the second quarter for the Scarlet Knights (3-2, 1-0 Big East) who are trying to snap a two-game losing streak to the Panthers (3-2, 1-0).</p>
<p>Freshman quarterback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134152/gary-nova">Gary Nova</a>, who got the start over sophomore <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114326/chas-dodd">Chas Dodd</a>, has thrown for 57 yards, but hasn't made any big mistakes, while freshman running back <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134156/savon-huggins">Savon Huggins</a> has carried the ball a team-high six times for 17-rushing yards. Meanwhile, the Rutgers defense has already totaled four sacks and has allowed just 110 total yards.</p>
<p>Pitt got on the scoreboard first with a 29-yard field goal by junior kicker <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../../ncaa-football/players/37494/kevin-harper">Kevin Harper</a>, who capped the game's opening drive, which lasted 14 plays and went for 74 yards.</p>
<p>The Scarlet Knights have 102 total yards, but just one first down. Rutgers will begin the second half with the football.</p>
<p><i><a href="http://newyork.sbnation.com/">SB Nation New York </a></i><i>will be updating this Rutgers vs. Pittsburgh <a href="http://newyork.sbnation.com/rutgers-scarlet-knights/2011/10/4/2468686/rutgers-football-vs-pittsburgh-big-east-conference">StoryStream</a></i><i> throughout the game. So, check back for updates.</i></p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/rutgers-scarlet-knights/2011/10/8/2477637/rutgers-vs-pittsburgh-2011-score-big-east-conference-footballJared Smith2011-10-08T16:24:33-04:002011-10-08T16:24:33-04:00Rutgers 3, Pittsburgh 3: End Of 1st Quarter
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<p>A carrier-long 50-yard field goal by senior kicker <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/6154/san-san-te">San San Te</a> has helped Rutgers University tie the University of Pittsburgh, 3-3, in a Big East Conference football game at High Point Solutions Stadium in Piscataway, NJ. San Te's kick came after the Scarlet Knights defense held Pittsburgh to a three-and-out deep side its own territory. The Panthers (3-2, 1-0 Big East) punted and Rutgers (3-1, 1-0) started its second possession at its own 38-yard line. Three plays later, San Te kicked the field goal.</p>
<p>One Rutgers possession later, the Scarlet Knights drove to the Pitt 16-yard line, but freshman quarterback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134152/gary-nova">Gary Nova</a> fumbled the snap and the Panthers recovered. Pitt will begin the second quarter with the ball and near midfield.</p>
<p>Pitt got on the scoreboard first with a 29-yard field goal by junior kicker <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37494/kevin-harper">Kevin Harper</a>, who capped a 14-play, 74-yard drive. Junior quarterback Tino Sunseri has already thrown two interceptions.</p>
<p><i><a href="http://newyork.sbnation.com/">SB Nation New York </a></i><i>will be updating this Rutgers vs. Pittsburgh <a href="http://newyork.sbnation.com/rutgers-scarlet-knights/2011/10/4/2468686/rutgers-football-vs-pittsburgh-big-east-conference">StoryStream</a></i><i> throughout the game. So, check back for updates.</i></p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/rutgers-scarlet-knights/2011/10/8/2477523/rutgers-vs-pittsburgh-score-savon-huggins-big-east-conference-gary-novaJared Smith2011-10-04T12:21:25-04:002011-10-04T12:21:25-04:00Rutgers Vs. Pittsburgh: Game Time, TV Schedule
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<p>-- SB Nation's <a href="http://www.onthebanks.com/">On The Banks</a> has all your Rutgers Football news.
<br>-- Visit <a href="http://www.cardiachill.com/">Cardiac Hill</a> for everything on the Pitt Panthers.</p> <p>The Rutgers University football program earned a 19-16 double overtime victory over Syracuse University last Saturday at the Carrier Dome. Senior kicker <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/6154/san-san-te">San San Te</a> nailed a 47-yard field goal in the second OT to help the Scarlet Knights earn a three-point advantage and then SU senior running back <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37762/antwon-bailey">Antwon Bailey</a> fumbled to cement the victory, which snapped a two-game losing streak to the Orange (3-2). The win also helped the program open up its Big East Conference with a road win for the first time since 2006.</p>
<p>On Saturday at 3:30 p.m. (ESPNU), the Scarlet Knights host the University of Pittsburgh at High Point Solutions Stadium in Piscataway, NJ. Currently, the Panthers (3-2) own a two-game winning streak over the Scarlet Knights. Last year, Pitt defeated Rutgers, 41-21.</p>
<p>Last week, the Panthers (3-2) opened up its Big East schedule by easily defeating the University of South Florida, 44-17. Senior running back <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/75526/ray-graham">Ray Graham</a> ran for a 226 yards and two touchdowns to help Pitt compiled 523 totals yards. So far, this season Graham has a league-best 734 yards.</p>
<p><i>During the rest of the week, SB Nation New York will be updating this StoryStream. Check back later in the week for all your Rutgers Football news as they take on the Panthers.</i></p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/2011/10/4/2468420/rutgers-football-vs-pittsburgh-big-east-conference-game-time-tv-scheduleJared Smith