The Rutgers University football program began its season with a 48-0 thumping of North Carolina Central last Thursday night. The Scarlet Knights (1-0) got two touchdowns from true freshman running back Savon Huggins, while the defense allowed just 120 yards of total offense and forced four turnovers.
However, it's still tough to judge how good or bad RU is going to be this season because the Eagles, who used to play at the Division II level, were playing in their first FCS game. But, this Saturday at 12:30 p.m. RU travels to Chapel Hill, N.C. to take on the North Carolina Tar Heels (1-0). The ACC program, which cruised past James Madison University, 42-10, Saturday, will be the Scarlet Knights first big test of the season.
Let's give a brief preview of the Scarlet Knights Week 2 opponent:
The Tar Heels finished last season 8-5, which concluded with a wild 30-27, Music City Bowl victory over Tennessee, and was predicted to finish third in the ACC's Atlantic Division.
However, in late July, UNC fired its head coach Butch Davis and appointed Everett Withers, last year's defensive coordinator, as interim head coach. Last season, Withers helped the Tar Heels defense rank in the top half of every major team category in the NCAA. This season, the defense returns a lot of talent, mainly on the defensive line where three players -- defensive ends Quinton Coples and Donte Paige-Moss, and defensive tackle Tydreke Powell -- were named to Nagurski Award preseason watch list. On Monday, Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano said the Tar Heels defensive front reminds him of the 1999-'00 Miami squad, which he helped coach under Davis.
On offense, the Tar Heels are led by sophomore starting quarterback Bryn Renner, who completed 22-of-23 passes for 277 yards and two TDs Saturday against the Dukes. Meanwhile, senior wide receiver Dwight Jones, who was voted to the All-ACC Preseason Team, caught nine passes for 116 yards and two TDs.
UNC opened as an eight-point favorite.
As the week progress, SB Nation New York will update this StoryStream. So, check back for more news on the non-conference contest between North Carolina vs. Rutgers. Also, follow us on Twitter at SBNationNY and Jared_E_Smith.