Five Key Players Who Can Help Rutgers Be Nationally-Ranked

Correspondent Written on September 29, 2009

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PISCATAWAY, NJ - SEPTEMBER 07: Joe Martinek #38 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights celebrates his touchdown against the Cincinnati Bearcats with teammate Howard Barbieri #74 at Rutgers Stadium on September 7, 2009 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim Mc

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

Rutgers has had a solid start to their 2009 season. They lost their first game 47-15 to No. 14 Cincinnati. Since then, there has been a new starting quarterback named and a three-game winning streak.

Rutgers is looking like they could become a nationally-ranked team. Even though the teams they have played the last couple of weeks are not top-notch, they have shown they can be a top 25 team.

On October 16, Rutgers will be playing Pittsburgh. If the Scarlet Knights play well against them, they may have a national ranking in sight. There are five key players that have to play well in order for this to happen.

1. Tom Savage

PISCATAWAY, NJ - SEPTEMBER 07: Tom Savage #7 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights throws a pass against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Rutgers Stadium on September 7, 2009 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Savage was named starting QB in Week Two, after Dom Natale performed sub-par Week One against Cincinnati. Savage has had a very good season so far, going 34-of-64 for 543 yards and three touchdowns.

Savage recently injured his head in a 23-15 win over FIU and was not able to play in the 34-13 win over Maryland. If Rutgers wants to become nationally-ranked, they definitely need Savage to recover.

2. Joe Martinek

PISCATAWAY, NJ - SEPTEMBER 07: Joe Martinek #38 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights runs the ball against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Rutgers Stadium on September 7, 2009 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Martinek had a stellar 147-yard game against Maryland. He is currently leading the team in rushing yards with 360 and also has three touchdowns. Martinek will definitely need to continue his stellar performances for Rutgers to become nationally-ranked.

3. Ryan D'Imperio

PISCATAWAY, NJ - DECEMBER 04: Brock Bolen #32 of the Louisville Cardinals runs in a fourth quarter touchdown against Ryan D'Imperio of the Rugers Scarlet Knights at Rutgers Stadium on December 4, 2008 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty

D'Imperio is one of the stars of the Scarlet Knights defense and a preseason first-team All-Big East selection by Sporting News. In the 23-15 win over FIU in Week Three, D'Imperio ran an interception back for a 38-yard touchdown.

4. Devin McCourty

EAST HARTFORD, CT - NOVEMBER 3: Andre Dixon #2 of the University of Connecticut Huskies gains yardage against Devin McCourty #21 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Rentschler Field November 3, 2007 in East Hartford, Connecticut. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Gett

McCourty is in his senior season as a Scarlet Knight and is an All-Big East second team selection by Athlon Sports. McCourty is well-known because he and his brother Jason started at both cornerback positions for the past two years.

Jason has gone on to the NFL with the Titans. McCourty has had a wonderful season so far and has lead the team in tackles several times.

5. San San Te

PISCATAWAY, NJ - OCTOBER 18: San San Te #1 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights kicks a field goal in the first half against the Connecticut Huskies at Rutgers Stadium on October 18, 2008 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Te has gotten off to an acceptable start this season. When Te came to Rutgers, he was expected to be the next Jeremy Ito. Te is 8-for-11 on field goals this year and will certainly have to improve that for Rutgers to become nationally-ranked.

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written on September 29, 2009 Rankings/List

Bleacher Report has a featured columnist opening for Rutgers Football.

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