When Rutgers runs
The Scarlet Knights, still looking for someone to take up the slack for the departed Ray Rice, could get a boost with the return of sophomore running back Kordell Young, who rushed for 94 yards in the season opener vs. Fresno State but has not played since because of a troublesome left knee. With Young unavailable, Jourdan Brooks has emerged as Rutgers' leading rusher with 299 yards on 64 carries. The Bearcats continue to be stout against the run, limiting opponents to 101 yards per game.
When Rutgers passes
Veteran quarterback Mike Teel has had a rough time of it this season, having already been intercepted seven times in five games, but he has two outstanding receivers in Kenny Britt and Tiquan Underwood. Britt, the school's career leader in 100-yard receiving games, had 12 catches for 151 yards last week in the Scarlet Knights' loss at West Virginia and leads the Big East in both receptions per game (8.2) and receiving yardage per game (103.2). UC counters with a secondary that has picked off eight passes this season. Cornerback Mike Mickens, with 12 career interceptions, needs one more to set a school record.
When UC runs
With Chazz Anderson at quarterback, the Bearcats probably will look to repeat their 203-yard rushing performance vs. Marshall against a Rutgers defense that has allowed 168.4 yards per game. Sophomore running back Jacob Ramsey narrowly missed his first career 100-yard game, gaining 99 yards on 17 carries, and freshman Isaiah Pead had a breakout game with 59 yards on 11 carries. Rutgers linebacker Kevin Malast ranks second in the Big East in tackles with 8.0 per game. Defensive tackle Pete Tverdov has recorded one tackle for loss in each of the four games he has played this season.
When UC passes
Anderson got off to a slow start last week before settling in to complete 16 of 26 passes for 158 yards and one touchdown in his college debut. He figures to be a little more settled this week with a game under his belt. Expect the Bearcats' offense to look similar to last week's with an emphasis on running the ball and attempting short, relatively safe passes. The Rutgers defense has recorded six sacks in five games. Wide receiver Dominick Goodman needs one touchdown reception to tie Jim O'Brien, who owns the school record with 21.
Special teams
Kevin Huber, UC's All-America punter, finally has attempted enough kicks to get into the national rankings, where he stands fourth this week. Placekicker Jake Rogers continues his resurgence and is perfect in three field-goal attempts this season. Rutgers has had to replace All-America placekicker Jeremy Ito, the school's all-time leader in field goals. His replacement, redshirt freshman San San Te, is 4-for-6 with a long of 34 yards.
Game keys
Teel has not played well this year but remains a dangerous weapon for the Scarlet Knights, especially with Britt on the receiving end of his passes. The Bearcats, who have won three straight since their loss to No. 1 Oklahoma, will look to keep Britt from breaking long plays while attempting to shut down the Rutgers running game. The Bearcats need quarterback Anderson to have another solid outing, and they have to be able to run the ball the way they did against Marshall. UC has won its last two meetings vs. Rutgers, including the 2006 upset at Nippert when the Scarlet Knights were ranked seventh nationally. Rutgers enters this game desperately in need of a quality victory to keep from falling too far behind in the Big East.
The Scarlet Knights, still looking for someone to take up the slack for the departed Ray Rice, could get a boost with the return of sophomore running back Kordell Young, who rushed for 94 yards in the season opener vs. Fresno State but has not played since because of a troublesome left knee. With Young unavailable, Jourdan Brooks has emerged as Rutgers' leading rusher with 299 yards on 64 carries. The Bearcats continue to be stout against the run, limiting opponents to 101 yards per game.
When Rutgers passes
Veteran quarterback Mike Teel has had a rough time of it this season, having already been intercepted seven times in five games, but he has two outstanding receivers in Kenny Britt and Tiquan Underwood. Britt, the school's career leader in 100-yard receiving games, had 12 catches for 151 yards last week in the Scarlet Knights' loss at West Virginia and leads the Big East in both receptions per game (8.2) and receiving yardage per game (103.2). UC counters with a secondary that has picked off eight passes this season. Cornerback Mike Mickens, with 12 career interceptions, needs one more to set a school record.
When UC runs
With Chazz Anderson at quarterback, the Bearcats probably will look to repeat their 203-yard rushing performance vs. Marshall against a Rutgers defense that has allowed 168.4 yards per game. Sophomore running back Jacob Ramsey narrowly missed his first career 100-yard game, gaining 99 yards on 17 carries, and freshman Isaiah Pead had a breakout game with 59 yards on 11 carries. Rutgers linebacker Kevin Malast ranks second in the Big East in tackles with 8.0 per game. Defensive tackle Pete Tverdov has recorded one tackle for loss in each of the four games he has played this season.
When UC passes
Anderson got off to a slow start last week before settling in to complete 16 of 26 passes for 158 yards and one touchdown in his college debut. He figures to be a little more settled this week with a game under his belt. Expect the Bearcats' offense to look similar to last week's with an emphasis on running the ball and attempting short, relatively safe passes. The Rutgers defense has recorded six sacks in five games. Wide receiver Dominick Goodman needs one touchdown reception to tie Jim O'Brien, who owns the school record with 21.
Special teams
Kevin Huber, UC's All-America punter, finally has attempted enough kicks to get into the national rankings, where he stands fourth this week. Placekicker Jake Rogers continues his resurgence and is perfect in three field-goal attempts this season. Rutgers has had to replace All-America placekicker Jeremy Ito, the school's all-time leader in field goals. His replacement, redshirt freshman San San Te, is 4-for-6 with a long of 34 yards.
Game keys
Teel has not played well this year but remains a dangerous weapon for the Scarlet Knights, especially with Britt on the receiving end of his passes. The Bearcats, who have won three straight since their loss to No. 1 Oklahoma, will look to keep Britt from breaking long plays while attempting to shut down the Rutgers running game. The Bearcats need quarterback Anderson to have another solid outing, and they have to be able to run the ball the way they did against Marshall. UC has won its last two meetings vs. Rutgers, including the 2006 upset at Nippert when the Scarlet Knights were ranked seventh nationally. Rutgers enters this game desperately in need of a quality victory to keep from falling too far behind in the Big East.
