NEWNEWBBALANCEALANCE

After taking over as starter and throwing for1,637 yards as a freshman, Chas Dodd returns as the unquestioned leader of a new offense,which will feature a traditional ground game to complement Dodd and his stable of receivers.

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP: DEFENSE

T H E D A I L Y T A R G U MG 2 S E P T E M B E R 1 , 2 0 1 1 G A M E DAY

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP: OFFENSE

MOHAMEDSANUWide ReceiverJunior6’-2”, 215 lbs.

ANDRE CIVILTackleSophomore6’-3”, 275 lbs.

DESMONDWYNNGuardSenior6’-6”, 295 lbs.

DAVIDOSEICenterSophomore6’-4”, 280 lbs.

ANTWANLOWERYGuardSophomore6’-4”, 301 lbs.

DESMONDSTAPLETONTackleSenior6’-5”, 280 lbs.

PAUL CARREZOLATight endSophomore6’-2”, 241 lbs

MARK HARRISONWide ReceiverJunior6’-3”, 230 lbs

CHASDODDQuarterbackSophomore6’-0”, 200 lbs

JOEMARTINEKFullbackSenior6’-0”, 220 lbs

DE’ANTWANWILLIAMSRunning BackJunior6’-8”, 193 lbs

MARVINBOOKERRight endJunior6’-2”, 240 lbs

JUSTINFRANCISTackleSenior6’-4”, 275 lbs

SCOTTVALLONETackleJunior6’-3”, 275 lbs

MANNYABREULeft endSenior6’-3”, 260 lbs

JAMALMERRELLLinebackerSophomore6’-4”, 220 lbs

STEVEBEAUHARNAISLinebackerJunior6’-2”, 235 lbs

KHASEEMGREENELinebackerJunior6’-1”, 220 lbs

BRANDON JONESCornerbackJunior6’-1”, 186 lbs

DURONHARMONStrong SafetyJunior6’-1”, 201 lbs

DAVIDROWEFree SafetySenior6’-0”, 195 lbs

LOGANRYANCornerbackSophomore6’-0”, 190 lbs

RUTGERS VS N.C. CENTRALKnightsGameday

GAME 1: High Point Solutions Stadium, 7:30 p.m. TV: ESPN3 RADIO: 1450 AM

RU unveils adjustments against Eagles

SCARLET KNIGHTS (0-0)

PASSINGC. Dodd

RUSHINGJ. DeeringD. Williams

RECEIVINGM. HarrisonM. SanuJ. DeeringD. Jefferson

DEFENSES. BeauharnaisK. GreeneM. Abreu

INJURIESProbable — J. DeeringQuestionable — J.T. TartacoffOut — R. Knight

YDS1637

YDS361114

YDS829418338166

AVG.148.8

AVG.4.65.8

AVG.18.8

9.521.116.6

INT030

INT.7

LNG2231

LNG66294653

SCK1.5

00

RutgersCentral StateElonSavannah St.SC StateMorgan StateHamptonBethune-CookmanDelaware StateFlorida A&MNC A&T State

7:30 p.m.Noon6 p.m.6 p.m.1:30 p.m.4 p.m.2 p.m.2 p.m.1 p.m.2 p.m.1:30 p.m.

TD11

TD20

TD9211

TKL797748

CMP55.2%

NO.7719

NO.44441610

SCHEDULESept. 1Sept. 10Sept. 17Sept. 24Oct. 8Oct. 15Oct. 22Oct. 29Nov. 5Nov. 12Nov. 19

NC CentralN. CarolinaOhioSyracusePittsburghNavyLouisvilleWest VirginiaUSFArmyCincinnatiConnecticut

7:30 p.m.12:30 p.m.2 p.m.NoonTBATBA8 p.m.7 p.m.TBA3:30 p.m.TBATBA

SCHEDULESept. 1Sept. 10Sept. 24Oct. 1Oct. 8Oct. 15Oct. 21Oct. 29Nov. 5Nov. 12Nov. 19Nov. 26

[ ]N.C. CENTRAL (0-0)

PASSINGM. Johnson

RUSHINGA. GoforthJ. Reid

RECEIVINGG. IrvineC. HarrisD. RobertsJ. Manning

DEFENSERoger StewartM. LewisX. Proctor

INJURIES

YDS1119

YDS192

90

YDS758231161

41

AVG.147.4

AVG.17.5

3.1

AVG.14.312.2

8.93.7

INT110

INT.8

LNG2920

LNG59281915

SCK301

TD6

TD31

TD5113

TKL503734

CMP57.1%

NO.3829

NO.531918

6

INSIDEthe

NUMBERS

Key MatchupRutgers offensive line vs. NCCU defensive line

The unit that allowed a Division I-worst sack total last season earns a chance to proveits offseason development against NC Central, who makes the jump to FCS play. The

starting five gave up three sacks last season in its season opener at home.

BY ANTHONY HERNANDEZASSOCIATE SPORTS EDITOR

From the time head coach GregSchiano walked away from the podi-um following the Rutgers footballteam’s 35-14 loss to West Virginialast December to the start of trainingcamp, all the questions surroundingthe program began to pile up.

Although all the answers will notbe available immediately after thefinal horn sounds tonight inPiscataway, Schiano can be sureabout one thing — the pile of specu-lation will finally begin to diminish.

That is if everything goesaccording to plan.

“To be in a game, no matter howmuch we try to simulate game situ-ations, it is different,” Schianosaid. “I’m anxious to see how someof them respond. Everybodyresponds differently when the lightscome on. So I’m really anxious.”

Offensive line coach Kyle Floodhas his group focused on the firstinstallment of Frank Cignetti’s newpro-style offense, and he does notworry about their response to thepunishment now-sophomore quar-terback Chas Dodd took a year ago.

“Anything that happened in thepast is the past,” Flood said. “Anythingthat’s going to happen three or fourweeks from now we can’t control yet.Our focus everyday has to be what itis that we’re doing right now.”

Senior right tackle DesmondStapleton, who witnessed all 61 ofthe sacks that contributed to theKnights’ 114th national ranking asan offense, is also ready to end thecriticism without looking back.

Especially not as far back as thesquad’s opener last season, whenthe Knights allowed three sacks toNorfolk State in a 31-0 rout.

“We’re not thinking about the past.We’re just looking forward to [NorthCarolina Central],” said Stapleton,who started all 12 games last season atleft tackle. “We’re not looking back tolast year. We’re just looking forward tothis game and protecting Chas or[freshman quarterback Gary] Novaor whoever is back there.”

Even though the Knights maketheir season debut against a teammaking the jump to FootballChampionship Subdivision, thelevel of preparation put into thecontest did not diminish for anymembers of the squad. The Eaglesreturn nine starters to their spread

THE DAILY TARGUM

Junior wideout Mark Harrison returns as the team’s leading receiverfrom last season with 829 yards and nine touchdown receptions.

offense from a year ago, a style ofoffense Schiano sees plenty of dur-ing Big East play.

Junior strong safety DuronHarmon and senior free safetyDavid Rowe are sure to be tested ifEagles junior wideout GeovonieIrvine, who led the team with 53receptions and five touchdowns lastseason, gets his hands on the ball.

NCCU’s running game couldalso prove problematic for a new-look defensive front, as well, withplayers jumping around at line-backer and defensive ends MarvinBooker and Manny Abreu, respec-tively, settling in on the edge.

But the offense will be the phasemost fans have their eyes on, andjunior wideout Mark Harrison andthe rest of the unit are ready to gettheir attention.

“We feel so comfortable with thisnew offense, and we feel like it’sgoing to open a lot of doors for a lotof people,” said Harrison, whobroke out last season with 829 yardsand nine touchdowns. “O-line, wide

receivers, running backs and quar-terbacks, we’re all just going outthere as a group and collectivelytrying to perfect our tasks andeverything that we do out there.”

Freshman running back SavonHuggins, New Jersey’s No. 1recruit who will make his debuttonight for Schiano, is one of thoseplayers who may flourish inCignetti’s system, along with Doddunder center.

Still, nothing is guaranteed incollege football, and Dodd assum-ing the starting role at quarterbacklast season is evidence enough.

Just like Schiano, Dodd and therest of the Knights are ready to putthe memory of the last game theyplayed behind them, hoping tostick to the script as much as possi-ble and come out on top.

“I’ve been waiting since last yearwhen we ended the season againstWest Virginia to get back here andjust play again,” Dodd said. “Win orlose, I just want to play again. I knowwe’re all excited and ready to go.”

Dodd said. “Especially withGary being in the same positionI was last year, I’m trying tohelp him as far as being in thatrole goes. Being the secondguy, you have to stay calm andcool when you’re put in there,so I’ve definitely tried to takehim and the other guys undermy wing.”

At least with Nova at backup,offensive coordinator FrankCignetti knows he is getting a guyfamiliar to winning.

The Don Bosco Prep productboasts an unblemished 24-0record in his two years as astarter in high school, earningBosco two state titles and anational title during that span.

The tradition is somethingNova is confident can ease histransition to the Big East andeven propel him into tonight’s

game, when Nova will likely gethis fair share of playing time.

“I think it definitely preparedme, mental-wise and physically,”

Nova said. “Just mentally build-ing that never-give-up attitudeand to face adversity and stufflike that. My high school coach,the morals that he has, CoachSchiano has a lot of so it’s been anice transition.”

But if not for the hire ofCignetti, who brought with hima pro-style of fense from histime at Pittsburgh, Nova likelywould never take a snap in aKnights uniform.

Cignetti helped recruit Novaat Pittsburgh before he made themove to the Banks and even gotthe 6-foot-2 signal caller to com-mit to joining the Panthers.

His pro-style offense is verysimilar to the system Nova flour-ished in at Don Bosco, where hecompleted 95 of 160 passes hissenior season for 1,701 yards and23 touchdowns.

“When I first met coachCignetti at Pittsburgh I fell in lovewith him,” Nova said. “That’sprobably one of the reasons Icommitted to Pittsburgh. I feellike I want to be around that guyfor the next four years, and that

pro-style offense is what I feel I’dbe best at.”

Just how many opportunitiesNova will get in his first seasonremains to be seen, but headcoach Greg Schiano repeatedlysaid he plans to play Nova intonight’s opener.

Just like Dodd did when for-mer Knight Tom Savage heldthe reins of the position, Novahas his ears open to anythingDodd has to of fer, and he is notholding anything back as a leader.

That should give Rutgerssome assurance this timearound that it has the right guyunder center.

“He’s been there before. He’sdone it,” Nova said. “So justhearing it from him and himshowing us what to do has beena big help.”

T H E D A I L Y T A R G U M S E P T E M B E R 1 , 2 0 1 1 G 3G AMEDAY

BY STEVEN MILLERSPORTS EDITOR

Students sitting behind thebasket this February at the LouisBrown Athletic Center slowlybegan to realize who was in thecrowd at the basketball game.

A small group began chantingthe name — “Savon! Savon!” —and more fans caught on.

An All-American wide receiversat to his left, a do-it-all playmak-er to his right, and head footballcoach Greg Schiano in a nearbyrow, but only two weeks after ver-bally committing to Rutgers,Savon Huggins was the subject ofthe students’ attention.

A smile crept across Huggins’face as he tilted his head and raisedhis hand in acknowledgment.

The Under-Armour All-American from St. Peter’s Preptalks about humility and taking theconstant attention that comes hisway in stride, but he chose to stay inhis home state for this very reason.

Huggins knows he is good.He played offensive tackle for

his first year of football, thenmoved to Jackson, N.J., became arunning back, and “it’s beengood ever since,” he said.

Huggins knows his impactcomes both on and off the field.

BY ANTHONY HERNANDEZASSOCIATE SPORTS EDITOR

For the second consecutiveseason, the Rutgers footballteam is certain it has its quarter-back of the future starting in itshome opener.

This time, the Scarlet Knightshope they are right.

Sophomore quarterbackChas Dodd debuts tonightagainst North Carolina Centralin his first full season as theoffense’s signal caller, and ifnothing else, the Lyman, S.C.,native understands just howquickly that can change.

But if it does change, Doddhas done all he can to preparehis replacement.

“I’m trying to help [fresh-men Gar y Nova and MikeBimonte] with ever ything,”

GARYNOVA

Schiano tabs Nova as backup to debut in opener

THE DAILY TARGUM

Savon Huggins, left, was plenty familiar with the Rutgers program and future teammates like Mohamed Sanu, right, in January, when he committed to the Knights.Now one of the biggest recruits in Rutgers history, Huggins will make his collegiate debut tonight at High Point Solutions Stadium against North Carolina Central.

Huggins ready to manage expectations, attention He spent hours on the phone

with Kaleb Johnson, who willlikely see time on the offensiveline as a true freshman, the nightbefore National Signing Day,convincing the Jacksonville, Fla.,native to join him in New Jersey.

And Huggins knows if helives up to the hype as the toprecruit in the state, more atten-tion will follow.

“If ever ybody knows whoyou are, then the pressure isput on and everyone likes you,but I just want to go aroundcampus, go to class, have funand hang out with my team-mates,” Huggins said. “I cameto college for that, as well, notjust for football. Yes, [attention]may come, but I just want to bea normal kid.”

But there was little normalabout Huggins’ high school career.

The 6-foot, 200-pound tailbackreceived his first scholarshipoffer from Rutgers; then count-less others followed.

He did not treat his recruit-ment like a chore or a chance forfree trips across the country, butlike a business decision, andthose trips followed.

Huggins took five official visitsand visited 11 campuses unoffi-cially. He heard pitches from

Urban Meyer in Florida, ButchDavis in North Carolina andBrian Kelly at Notre Dame. Andhe countered with questions ofhis own.

Rutgers’ offensive line con-cerned Huggins, so he told Schiano.

Rutgers’ offense concerned him,as well, and he made that known.

But Schiano was also frustrat-ed by the Wildcat-drivenoffense, so he brought in offen-sive coordinator Frank Cignettifrom Pittsburgh.

Cignetti coached Detroit Lionstailback Jahvid Best at California,where Cignetti first recruitedHuggins, then PhiladelphiaEagles rookie Dion Lewis at Pitt,where he also recruited Huggins.

Then Cignetti joined Rutgersin early January, and he recruitedHuggins a final time.

“Let’s go, baby,” said Cignetti,reminded of the pair’s history.“Things happen for a reason.”

Now the Scarlet Knightsreturn to a pro-style system thatkeyed their rise to prominence in2006 and a rejuvenated runninggame will be the focal point.

There is a crowded backfieldbetween Huggins, juniorDe’Antwan Williams, sophomoreJeremy Deering and redshirtfreshman Jawan Jamison.

Schiano acknowledges everycoach would like to have aworkhorse back but is quick totemper expectations onHuggins, who is listed as co-starter with Williams.

“Every back will tell you theyget into a flow, and I think there’struth to it, but I think you earnthat right to be a workhorseback,” Schiano said. “If you’reproductive, then you get that.Until someone shows they arethat back, you split it up. It’s a del-icate mix of finding that guy, yetgiving equal opportunities.”

Expect Huggins to get everyopportunity.

He already did in two trainingcamp scrimmages, when he com-bined for 223 yards and twotouchdowns on 39 carries.

Ask Cignetti and runningbacks coach Chris Hewitt abouttheir new toy and they describethe same traits: short-area burst,strength, balance and body con-trol, but perhaps most impor-tantly, the mental attributes tomake decisions.

The one to attend Rutgersalready started a chain reac-tion, beginning with a strongclose to the 2011 recruiting sea-son and an even better startthis year.

“I think everybody wanted tostay around here at heart, but theyneeded that one big guy to do it soeveryone else could jump on board,”said Huggins’ high school teammateand class of 2012 commit MichaelGiacone. “When Savon did that, itwas a real eye-opener because hehad every offer in the country.”

With the offers come expecta-tions that found Huggins longbefore he made his decision andeven longer before he took thefield for the Knights.

He is supposed to be the run-ning back that shoulders theoffensive burden for the next fewyears in Piscataway.

He is supposed to lead a reju-venation of Rutgers football andbe connected to the era like RayRice is to 2006.

And he knows it is coming.After all, that is what he signed

up for.“I’m aware of it,” Huggins said.

“How can you not be? But I justtake it in stride — soak it in. It’sgoing to happen, but if it gets toyour head, that’s when you canmess it up and have it taken awayfrom you. I’m trying to berespectful, knowing it’s going tocome, but at the end of the day Istill have to go to work.”

“That’s what I’m going to do.”

GAMEDAY P A G E G 4S E P T E M B E R 1 , 2 0 1 1

T H E D A I L Y T A R G U M

COURTESY OF SCARLETREPORT.COM

Tight ends coach Brian Angelichio, left, and offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti spent the offseason implementing the pro-style offense they ran together at Pittsburgh afterjoining the Scarlet Knights’ coaching staff. Cignetti previously served as offensive coordinator at Pitt, California, North Carolina and Fresno State and has NFL experience.

BY STEVEN MILLERSPORTS EDITOR

Greg Schiano stood at a podiumin the Rutgers football team meet-ing room — the same place hestood days after a sixth consecu-tive loss ended last season andbrought a promise to return to hisroots — and offered a raremoment of candor.

Yes, he said, three days beforeRutgers opens its season againstNorth Carolina Central, theWildcat-driven offense last yearfrustrated Schiano.

Yes, he said, almost eightmonths after hiring a new offensivecoordinator, the head coach knewhe wanted to return to a pro-stylesystem as the losses piled up.

“But once you’re into it,”Schiano said, “you can’t make a change.”

Rutgers was so deeplyentrenched in an offense bettersuited for the XFL — fun to watchfor a week, then it should becomedefunct — there was nothing to dobut wait.

So Schiano waited.The running game continued to

morph into snap-the-ball-to-the-best-playmaker-and-go. The offen-sive line continued to allow thenation’s most sacks. And in themoments when a quarterback wason the field, the passing game con-tinued to be obvious.

Then Pittsburgh’s coachingstaff fell apart — twice — andSchiano picked up offensive coor-dinator Frank Cignetti and tightends coach Brian Angelichio.

Schiano found his solution to anoffensive problem that persistedmore than a year.

“The system itself has answersto defensive-generated problems,”

Schiano nabs Cignetti, Angelichio from Pitt to revamp offense after two seasons of Wildcat-dependent scheme clashed with RU’s philosophy

STOLEN IDENTITYCignetti said. “What’s the problem?Here’s the solution. When you lookat the three phases of offense —the running game, the protectiongame and the passing game —there is a true system that in myeyes is second to none.”

* * * THE RUNNING GAME:Ultimately, this is what the tran-

sition was all about.There are new protection and

passing schemes, but after twoyears of a Wildcat-infused offense,there is a traditional running game.

“The heart of the matter is youhave to be able to run the footballand that’s who we are,” Schianosaid. “That’s the region we live in.It’s a tough-guy area. It’s a workingman’s area, and … I think the kidsgrow up that way around here.”

The fullback, a forgotten playerthe past two years, will return as amulti-threat option who is as likelyto carry or catch the ball as he isto block.

Joe Martinek will play fullbackafter starting at running back overthe past three seasons, andSchiano envisions him in a BrianLeonard mold.

“There’s no question we want torun the football, and we want tohave great play action off ourruns,” Cignetti said. “That’s wherethe fullback really becomes a bigpart of it.”

Once an afterthought on thedepth chart, junior tailbackDe’Antwan Williams experienceda rebirth practicing in Cignetti’ssystem, which reminded him ofthe pro-style running game heplayed in at Woodbridge (Va.)High School.

Williams will split carries withfreshman Savon Huggins, sopho-more Jeremy Deering and redshirt

freshman Jawan Jamison. Schianoand Cignetti acknowledge anycoach would like to have a work-horse back, but they will get equalopportunities for now.

There will be plenty of themwith a new commitment to the run.

“The key to running the ball isbeing efficient and giving it at-bats,”Cignetti said. “You have to run theball enough that the defenserespects the run.”

THE PROTECTION GAME:The offensive line’s struggles

last season were impossible toignore, and new offense or not, a lotwill depend upon the improvementof the unit.

After the Knights allowed 61sacks last season — the most in thenation — the new unit has a newlook. Senior Desmond Wynnremains at left guard, but DesmondStapleton moves from left tackle,where he started every game lastseason, to right tackle.

Sophomore Andre Civil has onecareer start to his name and willline protect Chas Dodd’s blind side,while classmate David Osei willstart at center.

Sophomore guard AntwanLowery made three career starts,and brings a mean streak to theoffensive line at right guard.

“My presence rubs of f,” hesaid. “When guys see I’m ready tohit they just jump on board.Desmond Wynn, a powerful guy, ismore physical than he’s been.Andre Civil, a naturally strong guy,will hit anything. Osei is the sameway and so is Stapleton. Guys arejust willing to be physical this yearto make improvements.”

Civil, Lowery and Wynn are allconverted defensive linemen —something offensive line coach

Kyle Flood believes can be over-looked in their development.

“The best thing that happenedto them is they got another year ofexperience under their belts,”Flood said. “Like any position infootball, the more you play it, themore comfortable you are, thefaster you learn and react. It’sanother year of maturity, strengthand knowledge, all of which plays abig role in getting better.”

THE PASSING GAME:A Pittsburgh native, Cignetti

says the running game is “in hisblood” — much like the N.J. atti-tude that helped motivate Schiano’stransition to a new offense.

But the run sets up the pass,and Cignetti spent the bulk of hiscareer as a quarterbacks coach,whether with the New OrleansSaints, San Francisco 49ers,California, Pittsburgh or IndianaUniversity of Pennsylvania.

He took the West Coast offensehe learned in Kansas City and NewOrleans, and blended it with NorvTurner’s digit-system offense inSan Francisco.

“Here’s what an NFL system is:multiple personnel groupings, mul-tiple formations, multiple shifts,multiple motions,” Cignetti said.“Why? Because you want to be ableto get your personnel in the rightpositions to create matchups andgive the offense an advantage.What you truly want to do is keepthe defense on their heels and keepthem off-balance.”

That will mean taking advantageof Deering, a former wide receiver,and Martinek to catch passes out ofthe backfield, in addition to a stableof big-bodied wide receivers.

They will utilize the tight ends,coached by Angelichio, who helped

ease the implementation of a newoffense with his familiarity ofCignetti’s system.

But Cignetti also learned fromGreen Bay Packers head coachMike McCarthy and coached withwide receivers coach JerrySullivan, each of whom coachedRutgers wide receivers coach P.J.Fleck in San Francisco.

“I knew coming here, ‘Wow, Ihave the best wide receivers coachin college football,’” Cignetti said.“Everything I’m going to imple-ment here he did at the highestlevel under the best coaches.”

* * * Cignetti implemented his sys-

tem twice — once in the spring andagain in training camp — andRutgers will finally unveil it tonightat High Point Solutions Stadium.

“That’s one thing I’ve been put-ting a lot of thought into,” Doddsaid. “This offense is great in prac-tice doing it against our guys, butit’s going to be different getting togo out against an actual team thatwe haven’t practiced against. Theone thing we have to look at is thesuccess Coach [Cignetti] has hadwith these other teams he’s beenwith. I’m excited to see how it willlook against other teams.”

Cignetti produced first rounddraft picks in Jahvid Best andJonathan Baldwin. Henry Hynoskiis the starting fullback for the NewYork Giants. Dion Lewis was theBig East’s Offensive Player of theYear, and is now with thePhiladelphia Eagles.

“But at end of the day, it’s aboutplayers not plays,” Schianosaid. “And you just have to, ascoaches, you have to put them inposition to use their talents. So thefocus has to be the talent of theplayer, the gift of the player.”