Bleacher Report - Articles by Adam Helfgott

Third Consecutive Bowl Win Should Bring New Outlook To The People Of New Jersey

Adam Helfgott — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 12:28:46 -0500

It had been three years since I went out to Phoenix to see Rutgers play in the Insight Bowl. Now I have just returned from Birmingham, AL after Rutgers' fourth straight bowl appearance and third consecutive bowl victory.

Now the scenery may have been different and the weather was not as nice as the Arizona heat but Rutgers provided enough joy this past Monday to forgive the setting.

Who would ever think we would be talking about a bowl victory after the 1-5 start? It’s a tale of two halves and the second is surely the way a Hollywood script would end. This bowl trip was certainly quite an experience, not just for the players, but for the fans as well.

For the 7,000 or so Scarlet Knight fans who made the trip you are certainly true fans. For those, like my friends and me, who drove all the way to Alabama, no one can ever question where your loyalty lies.

To go down and travel to a third tier bowl, in a crummy city, it took a lot of faith to even make the trip. With how bad the economy is and the state of New Jersey not backing the football program, those 7,000 fans made a difference.

Maybe they weren’t as loud as the Wolfpack faithful but you could tell by looking at the face of former athletic director Bob Mulcahy in his last days fulfilling his job he was so grateful to the fans who kept chanting his name.

Maybe it’s time for New Jersey to open its eyes and to welcome big time college football to its area. My father was sitting at a bar after the game when a few NC State fans sat next to him. After a few minutes of game talk one of the fans politely asked why the state of New Jersey does not support its team.

My dad tried explaining to him the politics involved with what has gone on but simply put the NC State fan did not find the answer acceptable. He could not fathom how a state could not be proud of a program that has come from nothing to something.

And he’s right! It’s time for people in the great Garden State to stop acting like spoiled professional fans and start supporting its State University. It appears that only a National Championship would change things, even then who knows if they would even applaud Rutgers.

Whether it’s the fact the state government barely funds Rutgers, or a growing football program which can bring in revenue is ridiculed everyday by shaky journalists, brings the question: Why is New Jersey so different?

Why is it bad New Jersey finally has a college team to be proud of? Is it bad to finally cheer on players who are not being paid millions of dollars to play a sport they love? People need to wake up and see the joy spread to the Rutgers die-hard faithful.

College athletics are majestic. The passion and beauty of college sports are unlike anything out there today. And if New Jersey would just embrace the traditions of big time college football such a bigger stadiums, larger coaching contracts, and more money being given to the program, then maybe people would finally see college football isn’t such a bad thing. It is actually quite fun.

All I can say is I wouldn’t trade my trip for the world and if you ask the other Rutgers fans who made the trip they would most likely say the same thing. Whether people like it or not Rutgers football is on the way up. What Greg Schiano and Bob Mulcahy have done so far cannot be erased.

What will it take for New Jersey to accept Rutgers football? There probably is not a definite answer out there. The suggestion would be for those who support the program to keep on doing so and to show others that the college football way of life isn’t so bad.

Academic achievement is outstanding and Rutgers is one of the best in the area. Athletic achievement is uncharacteristic for the Scarlet Knights. It may be time for the people of New Jersey to help Rutgers ease into this realm of success with some support instead of constant backlash.

Turnaround Shows What Could Have Been for Rutgers in 2008

Adam Helfgott — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 02:35:28 -0500

After thrashing the Louisville Cardinals 63-14 on Dec. 4 it became clear that Rutgers was the hottest team in the Big East. The Scarlet Knights were winners of their last six games and averaged over 46 points a game in their last four contests. Mike Teel looked like an all-American candidate and the Rutgers front seven showed how potent the defense could be.

But by the end of the weekend Rutgers would earn an invitation to the third tier PapaJohns.com bowl in Birmingham, Alabama. Not the bowl the Scarlet Knights were hoping for after finishing in a tie for second place in the conference (5-2 in conference) with Pittsburgh and West Virginia.

After a few weeks of thought I have tried to sit back and look at the 2008 regular season as a whole. People have been asking me all along how I would characterize the 2008 Scarlet Knights. And though I would not dare use disappointment after finishing with a winning record after starting 1-5, the word that comes to mind is frustrating.

There are many reasons as to why the 2008 season can be deemed as frustrating for the Rutgers football program and its fans.

Simply put, this Rutgers football team is most likely the most talented team to play in Piscataway in a very long time. With a fifth year senior quarterback, two 1,000 yard receivers and a solid defensive line back from 2007 there was no excuse as to why the 2008 Knights started off 1-5.

This team was out coached, out hustled, and out played throughout the fix six weeks of the season. The low point clearly came when Rutgers lost to Navy on the road after Mike Teel threw the game ending interception and proceeded to gingerly walk to the sideline and hit teammate Glen Lee after the two exchanged words.

After going on the road and losing to Cincinnati by three and West Virginia by seven, it seemed as if the 2008 season would be a losing one. But then came the amazing turnaround which included wins over South Florida and Pittsburgh on the road where in both games the Knights completely dominated the opposition.

If winning two conference road games weren’t enough, Rutgers completely dismantled Louisville on a Thursday night to show how dangerous a team they had become.

This Rutgers squad is one with immense talent and Jackal and Hyde character. All the credit in the world must be given to the coaching staff and the players for believing in one another. It would have been very easy to give up on the season but the players never quit, not once.

But looking back on the season there is no doubt the phrase “what if?” echoes through the minds of players and fans.

What if Rutgers had beaten one more out of conference team? If Rutgers had beaten Navy and finished with eight wins most likely the Sun Bowl would have been more attracted to the Scarlet Knights.

What if Rutgers had beaten Cincinnati? This is now two out of three years in which the Bearcats took away the conference title from the Scarlet Knights. If Rutgers had beaten Cincinnati is 2006 and 2008 Rutgers would have two conference championships under its belt.

What if Mike Teel and the offense played the first six games like their last six? You could make the argument Rutgers would not have lost a single game on their schedule if this were true.

What if Rutgers were in a better conference than the Big East, say the Big Ten? Then a 7-5 second place Rutgers team would probably finish middle of the road say like Wisconsin this season. But Rutgers would still be heading to Orlando and the Outback Bowl and not the dingy PapaJohns.com bowl. With awful bowl contracts connected to the Big East it is apparent the Scarlet Knights will have to earn the BCS berth to ever play in a meaningful bowl game.

The bottom line is that this was a season of many lows and many highs. Not many people believed this team would get to its fourth consecutive bowl game or finish in second place in the conference. Few also believed this team could start as poor as 1-5.

Exciting, passionate, determinate, woeful, unenthusiastic, and many other adjectives were used to describe the 2008 Scarlet Knights at different points throughout the season. But one cannot look back and not think “what if?” and not think about how frustrating it is to know this team is probably the best in the Big East.

And how will Rutgers get to display their level of talent? Against a middle of the road ACC team (yes I know NC State started 2-6 and are now 6-6) in a poorly run bowl game in a dump of a stadium.

When will Rutgers get over the frustration barrier? When will a Greg Schiano’s team win the conference games that matter most so Rutgers will get their first conference title? Bowl games and winning seasons are what New Jersey needs, but they also like championships.

This was supposed to be the season that Rutgers got some type of a championship. For all that happened no one should forget the amazing turnaround but no one should also forget what should have been in 2008. The players should have been ready, the coaches should have been ready and we know the fans were.

So kudos to Rutgers on even getting to a bowl game, it certainly is impressive. But remember when people expected a championship at the start of the 2008 season? You could have sold me that the trophy they would earn would something to do with food, say oranges? Not pizza?

Greg Schiano Must Learn the Term Halftime Adjustment

Adam Helfgott — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 12:33:05 -0400

It was a perplexing answer to a question posed to Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano during his weekly press conference that should have heads of Scarlet Knights fans spinning.

The question was this: "Can you elaborate on what changes you may make in your halftime adjustments?"

Schiano's answer?

"Again, I've said it, you guys have been here so we're beating a dead horse here, I think halftime adjustments are really overrated. Coming from the National Football League, you learn you really have to do it throughout the game.

"So I think the big difference between halftime adjustments is you're not sitting in front of 60,000, you're in a room with an overhead. That's the only difference. We're adjusting throughout the football game.

"Halftime adjustments point I don't think is as big as maybe emotionally. That's what I'm searching for. Is there something emotionally, something we're doing coming out of the locker room, that we're not coming out ready to play? I don't know that. We've talked about it at length.

"Maybe we shouldn't take a halftime. Maybe we should keep playing. We're well-conditioned enough."

I seriously hope deep down Schiano jumped the gun and didn’t really think about his answer before he opened his mouth.

If anything this season, halftime adjustments are a huge factor in why Rutgers is 1-4 (0-1). So far in 2008, the Scarlet Knights have been outscored 52-0 in the third quarter and 75-27 overall in the second half.

Someone needs to pass these statistics along to the man making all the big time decisions during the game.

Those days in the NFL Schiano is talking about? When he coached with the Bears, those teams averaged five wins a season. I highly doubt he should be taking much advice about adjustments from that period of time.

How can a man getting paid all this money to coach a football team not coach and get away with saying it?

Here is something he may be right about: Halftime adjustments do involve getting players emotionally charged, which is completely separate from actual football adjustments. Rutgers can’t even do that this season.

Every second half Rutgers comes out flat and lethargic. But forget that part—realize this coaching staff believes that adjustments at the half aren’t critical to winning. Clearly something is wrong, because if they were right, they should win most of the games this season by making no adjustments at halftime.

Forgive me, teams like Fresno State and Navy must have missed that memo. It appeared both those teams made adjustments against Rutgers—and what happened? They both defeated the Knights.

Schiano must be right though. He must have some facts to prove that halftime adjustments are overrated and aren’t necessary, right?

How about these facts...here are the Knights' statistics with the national ranking first, then the conference ranking, and then the actual stat.

Rushing Offense: 86/8 123.40

Passing Offense: 67/4 207.80

Total Offense: 83/7 331.20

Scoring Offense: 100/8 19.00

Rushing Defense: 84/7 168.40

Pass Efficiency Defense: 104/7 140.72

Kickoff Returns: 105/7 18.38

Passing Efficiency: 104/7 105.25

Sacks: 93/6 1.20

It appears that these stats show why Rutgers is 1-4 and why it may be time to think that what a coaching staff does at halftime may make a difference in a ball game.

Of course, there are other areas of concern to address besides halftime adjustments—the QB play, the defensive secondary play, the O-line, and the number of drops by the wideouts—but it is simply amazing how a coach can say halftime adjustments are overrated.

Maybe fans should have seen this coming. Remember Illinois back in 2005, and Cincinnati, Maryland, and Louisville in 2007? In all of these games Rutgers had a lead going into halftime, sometimes a double-digit lead, and each time Rutgers blew the lead and lost the game in the second half.

If people can sit down and blame the players for their performance on the field, then how can someone not criticize a coaching staff that isn’t doing anything at halftime to try to help its players perform better?

It is simple: Halftime adjustments are NOT overrated. They are actually quite important. If they weren’t important, Schiano would not be explaining himself to reporters about why his team is 1-4 and on its way to a disappointing season.

Can I say it again? 52-0. 52-0!

Maybe coach is right: Rutgers should skip halftime but then also skip the third quarter. Who needs adjustments?

Roundtable: Rutgers Fans Speak Their Mind on the 2008 Team

Adam Helfgott — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 07:09:43 -0400

What a start it has been for Rutgers fans. The team is 0-3, Mike Teel is taking swings at players instead of hitting his wideouts, and Greg Schiano appears as if he is losing control of his team.

All over rivals.com and the Rutgers message boards fans are expressing their concerns for the 2008 Scarlet Knights.

Little did I know just how funny RU fans can be. Take a look at some of their comments and post your own to show your opinion on the state of Rutgers...

Here are some of the fans from rivals.com and their posts (do not worry, usernames are not posted).

1) On the bright side, I'm going to save money not having to fund a bowl trip.

2) We are worse than Duke!!!...and we are expanding the stadium!!!

3) I don't care if our backup QBs are Richard Simmons, Stevie Wonder, and RuPaul.

4) Willie Randolph?

5) Still trying to figure out which corner the team has turned.

6) Is Ryan Hart still eligible?

7) Three rights equal a left. so I guess three losses equal a turn in the wrong direction.

8) Can Rutgers football get a government bail out?

9)MMA needs Mike Teel...Kimbo slice vs Mike Teel in Johnson park Sponsored by Stuff Yer Face.

10) Think Teel missed Lee, just like he's been doing with his receivers.

Out with the New, In with the Old? Watch out Rutgers fans!

Adam Helfgott — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 11:09:20 -0400

With the 2008 season getting off to a rocky start let's take a look back at why it used to be amusing to watch Rutgers with only 15,000 people there...

1) You knew who the real fans were! Or at least the ones who had nothing (really nothing) to do on a Saturday.

2) No game day traffic!

3) No bathroom lines! Or food lines!

4)You could hear one person across the field yell R!!!

5) The coaches could hear your insults.

6) You could move around to different seats.

7)You could talk to the fans in your section without having to yell over the band-wagoners.

8) All you cared about was if the Scarlet Knight would fight the other team's mascot.

9) You could start a five-person wave!

10) There was no need for luxury suites.

In all honesty it would not be funny if Rutgers football went back to its old ways. Back in the Shea and early years of the Schiano era where 15,000 fans used to show up and watch their team get trounced on.

If losses keep adding up at home like they did to start with this year against Fresno State and UNC then don't worry diehard fans, you'll have plenty of leg room come homecoming!

Pathetic in Piscataway; Rutgers loses to UNC 44-12

Adam Helfgott — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 08:26:21 -0400

It was only eight years ago when Greg Schiano came to Piscataway and promised fans a competitive program and hopes of one day hoisting a championship trophy. Those words of hope seemed to vanish as quickly as the team’s heart and soul did in their embarrassing 44-12 home loss at Rutgers Stadium Thursday night.

Rutgers has started the 2008 season 0-2 for the first time since 2002. That year the Scarlet Knights finished 1-10. The loss to North Carolina at home was the worst loss in Piscataway since West Virginia defeated Rutgers 40-0 that same dismal season.

Not only did fifth year senior quarterback Mike Teel throw three interceptions against the Tar Heels but it took him seven full quarters to throw his first touchdown of the season. The offense has scored only 13 points in 2008 while returning a 3,000 yard passer and two 1,000 yard receivers from the 2007 season.

Diehard fans were reminded last night how bleak a Rutgers football team can look. Rutgers showed no heart and no desire to even compete with UNC late in the game. It was as if Rutgers fans were back in the days of the Terry Shea era.

At his post game press conference Head Coach Greg Schiano appeared confused and stone faced, “Tough night for us, but we will be back. I felt like we were a yard short a bunch of times which certainly is frustrating. We just don’t understand how to seize the moment right now.”

Miscues in the secondary by Courtney Greene, Joe Lefeged and Jason McCourty led to more big plays by the visiting offense. McCourty was torched all night long by Tar Heel wide receiver Brandon Tate as he racked up four receptions for 138 yards and one touchdown.

Schiano appeared most disappointed when talking about his secondary, “As a secondary player, and I coached that position for 15 years, you get judged on your opportunities. You do everything right 60 plays a game, but then there are those three plays that decide the outcome.”

So far the Rutgers defense, headed by Schiano, has made visiting players like Tate and Fresno State RB Ryan Matthews Heisman hopefuls with their awful play.

Rutgers has now been outscored 51-13 in the second half and brings to light what many people are wondering; what the heck goes on at halftime in the Scarlet Knights locker room?

Greg Schiano has been out coached in several games ever since that one magical night in Piscataway in 2006. Ever since the Louisville win Rutgers is 10-9 overall and just 6-5 at home.

So what now? What can Greg Schiano do to save this season?

Leadership appears to be the main issue with the team. Mike Teel is struggling, Courtney Greene appears lost, and wide receivers Kenny Britt and Tiquan Underwood have severely underperformed.

Now it’s time to turn to the guy with the main headset on. This is where a coach earns his money. Schiano is being paid $2 million to get this program to a Big East championship. The way this team is playing now they could not win a MAC title.

It was amusing to watch Brandon Tate run past Jason McCourty for a 69-yard score and all Schiano could do to muster a response to his defense was give the “keep chopping” sign. That didn’t seem to work as the defense went on to give up 21 points in the third quarter.

What ever happened to that “keep chopping” attitude, the pack a lunch everyday attitude? It appeared to leave with the respected players like Brian Leonard, Ray Rice, and Eric Foster.

This group of players showed that whenever the going gets tough they run and hide. Mike Teel threw an interception last night off the hands of RB Mason Robinson, Bruce Carter then ran 66 yards for a touchdown as Teel and his offensive line parted like the Red Sea to give up the score.

It is now a game of numbers for Rutgers. The record stands at 0-2 with ten games remaining. With two non-conference games coming up against beatable teams in Navy and Morgan State, Rutgers fans hope that the team can gain some momentum heading into conference play when they travel to Morgantown, WV on Oct. 4.

Last night’s game against UNC showed many things and one of them may be that Greg Schiano may be a very good con artist. Until this team wins there is no reason to think otherwise.

Greg Schiano, OC John McNulty Not Helping Rutgers' Cause

Adam Helfgott — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 05:54:19 -0400

In his eighth season on the banks, we know many things about Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano: He is certainly a great recruiter, he has a poor offensive coordinator, and he has certainly not improved as an in-game coach.

What Schiano has done at Rutgers is still amazing, bringing maybe the worst program in college football into the national spotlight and making Rutgers popular in the Tri-State area. Schiano, though, has yet to prove that the 11-win 2006 Scarlet Knights were no more than a fluke.

With Rutgers University approving the expansion of Rutgers Stadium last year, Schiano and his staff need to win in order to sell out the future 56,000-seat stadium.

The opening day loss to Fresno State on national television does not help the cause. The Scarlet Knights looked unprepared and seemed lifeless on the sidelines as the Bulldogs showed why they are a BCS contender.

Schiano and offensive coordinator John McNulty looked like they had pre-determined the first few drives for Rutgers. The Knights, led by QB Mike Teel, showed different schemes and formations which resembled a well put-together offense.

Once McNulty had full control of the play calling in the second half, Rutgers went back to its conservative play calling and head scratching decisions. First down meant run the ball up the middle, second down and short meant throw the ball, and third down was a failure because Rutgers did not want to run the ball on second and short.

All day Teel was forced into third-and-long situations, giving Fresno State ample time to sit back and cover Tiquan Underwood and Kenny Britt.

RB Kordell Young looked healthy after his knee surgery, but he showed he is no Ray Rice.

Once again Rutgers could not score inside the red zone. Rutgers may have been first in the conference last year in red zone scoring, but that was due to 17 field goals from last year’s kicker, Jeremy Ito. Rutgers had the worst FG to touchdown ratio in the Big East at 1.5.

During the Fresno game, Rutgers missed two FGs and could not score from the three-yard line on fourth down.

McNulty must realize what his offense possesses. He returns a 3,000 yard QB, as well as two 1,000-yard receivers. It’s time to air it out and let Teel and company have fun. He needs to let his speedy running backs run to the outside more, and he needs to get TE Kevin Brock more involved in the offense.

Last year was similar to yesterday and leads one to ask this question: Why is McNulty back?

A home loss last season to Cincinnati was in part due to a questionable play call on third and short, as McNulty decided to air it out instead of running it with Ray Rice. Teel threw an interception, and the Bearcats got back right into the game and went on to defeat Rutgers.

McNulty clearly will not go out on a limb and let Teel run the offense. Teel looked very good as usual in the two-minute drill and showed that the Knights could possibly use the hurry-up offense to let the receivers gain an edge on the secondary.

The loss to the Bulldogs also showed that Greg Schiano has still not improved as an in-game coach. Last season, losses to Maryland, Cincinatti, and Louisville should have been wins, as Rutgers held the lead going into half in each game; both Maryland and Cincinatti were home games.

Schiano is a terrific recruiter and has made Rutgers football popular in New Jersey, but if he and his staff cannot muster up a successful season, then people will begin to wonder why they need an extra 13,000 seats for their stadium.

If McNulty cannot open up the playbook, it will be hard for Rutgers to go to its fourth consecutive bowl game.

Schiano may need to get rid of McNulty if the offense continues to struggle before the season is a loss. Otherwise the fans are going to start coming at Schiano before the rest of the staff.

Rutgers Off to Rough Start with Labor Day Loss

Adam Helfgott — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 05:15:41 -0400

Rutgers opened its 2008 campaign yesterday with a lackluster performance in a losing effort against Fresno State 24-7 in front of the 11th sellout crowd in a row at Rutgers Stadium.

The Scarlet Knights could not take advantage of its great field position several times in the first half, which kept the BCS busters from Fresno State in the game. Neither team scored in the first half.

The Bulldogs took advantage of Rutgers' missed opportunities with a 31-yard field goal from Kevin Goessling to take the lead and then marched down field on a 77-yard reception by Seyi Ajirotutu on blown coverage by the Knights' secondary.

Ryan Matthews then ran for a 4-yard touchdown on the following play, giving Fresno State a 10-0 lead in the third quarter.

Rutgers gained some life back after senior QB Mike Teel led his team on a nine-play, 81-yard drive, capped off by a 1-yard run by Kordell Young.

Rutgers looked like it had the Bulldogs stopped on third-and-23 when Senior QB Tom Brandstater found Ajirotutu again at the 1-yard line for the biggest first down of the game.

Matthews scored two plays later to put the lead at 17-7 with 6:46 left in the game. Matthews added one more touchdown with 3:15 left, making the score 24-7.

Rutgers offense could not get in synch the entire game, as QB Mike Teel struggled to find his key wideouts, Underwood or Kenny Britt. Kordell Young performed well after coming back from knee surgery, as he ran for 94 yards on 26 carries.

The Rutgers defense stopped Brandstater and his offense on four consecutive drives, but two missed FG’s by new Rutgers kicker San San Te and an interception throw by Teel left the game open for the Bulldogs.

The win for Fresno made it their fifth straight opening day win and their 13th win overall against BCS opponents. It seemed like the long flight from Fresno to New Jersey didn’t seem to bother Pat Hill’s squad one bit.

Fresno State was picked to be one of the non-BCS team who may crash the BCS party this year. The Bulldogs get Wisconsin in two weeks at home and play Toledo as well as UCLA at the Rose Bowl.

Rutgers will have time to regroup, as the Scarlet Knights have nine days off before hosting North Carolina in a Thursday night showdown on ESPN.

Cost Concerns May Delay Rutgers Stadium Expansion

Adam Helfgott — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 13:52:02 -0400

The Star-Ledger reported Thursday that rising costs for materials like steel, concrete, and fuel will force Rutgers University to scale back on its $102 million expansion plans for Rutgers Stadium.

The addition of 1,000 new mezzanine seats has already started and is still slated to be completed in time for the Scarlet Knights' home opener against Fresno State on Sept. 1.

The problem for Rutgers officials is the addition of 13,000 new seats, a recruiting lounge, game-day locker rooms, a new media room, and a new entrance for fans in the south end zone.

Completion for the expansion was set for the start of the 2009 season. With the rising costs of materials, Rutgers is now looking at options to possibly scale back with the expansion because the overall price was underestimated.

The expansion of Rutgers Stadium has been met with harsh criticism from many residents in New Jersey because of the budget crisis in the state.

Rutgers plans to borrow $72 million in bonds that will be repaid through stadium revenue. The other $30 million must come from private donations.

Rutgers athletics director Robert Mulcahy said in the article that the university is examining the new estimates and is looking at other options with the construction.

Mulcahy also acknowledged reports that there may be a few things unfinished with the mezzanine seating by the first game, but he still said "the seats will be ready" in time for Fresno State.

Open Mic: The Rutgers Debate—Does Good Football Equal a Better School?

Adam Helfgott — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 09:41:17 -0400

For years prior to Greg Schiano's arrival at Rutgers, many students and alumni argued that Rutgers football was in such bad shape that the school should move down a division and put all its focus mainly on academics and smaller sports.

Today, Rutgers has a rising football program that has spread the Rutgers name across America for three straight seasons.

Applications at the university have more than doubled due to the football exposure, which has brought new students from different parts of the country to Piscataway.

The Rutgers 1000, a Rutgers anti-athletics organization that strongly wanted Rutgers to move to Division I-AA years ago and was most recently outraged at the new stadium expansion, have unfairly labeled new students as "slobs who bring no academic success to the university and who came to Rutgers only for football."

These comments were made on a news program on WRSU this past spring when members of the Rutgers 1000 came in to debate the proposed stadium expansion. Instead, the group was met by my co-host on my sports talk show for WRSU who abruptly called the Rutgers 1000 out on many of their false accusations.

The basis of the argument for the Rutgers 1000 was that big time athletic schools attract students who only care about sports and bring no academic prestige to the school.

It is clear many of the claims from the Rutgers 1000 are simply idiotic and have no backing to them.

But where they stand on athletics does raise some interesting questions.

Does having a good football program make you a better school?

Do you want students applying to Rutgers based on the fact it is now becoming a well-known athletic school?

To me, a good football program will not make you a better school. What it can do is attract students it would not normally attract just on academics alone. These new students who are coming to Rutgers are attracted to sports but also can perform well in the classroom.

Not every student who likes sports is a "slob." I am one of those students who loves sports yet does well in class.

I dare the Rutgers 1000 to say I am a slob. If they don't like the fact I have a 3.44 GPA and go to every football game, then too bad. They can have fun sitting home on Saturdays while everyone else comes together as a community to root for Rutgers.

The overall scheme of things recently has shown that the success of the football team has spread the Rutgers name to every part of the country.

Hats, shirts, jerseys, and car magnets from Rutgers are visible everywhere in the New York area now. This can keep high school students from wanting to go away to other schools.

Rutgers is a great academic school, and a young student could be watching a game on ESPN and like the fact Rutgers is a good football school also. Then if that student decides to apply to Rutgers, he or she will find out how great its academics are as well.

No one should judge students based on the fact if they like sports. It's people like the Rutgers 1000 who start these false claims that students cannot be into sports and academics.

This coming from a group that didn't know that the Rutgers football team was one of only six Football Bowl Subdivision programs to be ranked in the top 10 percent in the APR scores.

Rutgers was the lone state university on the list and the only institution to have its football team ranked in the top 10 percent of the APR and to have won a bowl game last season.

Guess the football players don't listen to the Rutgers 1000 either. Seems like they enjoy sports and do well in class as well!

Rutgers Dismisses Basketball Announcer After 23 Years

Adam Helfgott — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:31:36 -0400

For Nelligan Sports…this is the Rutgers basketball radio network…

Every Rutgers basketball fan in this generation will tell you that there is only one true voice of Scarlet Knights hoops—play-by-play man Bruce Johnson.

The news, sports and program director at Central Jersey 1450AM WCTC radio assumed commentary duties in 1985. Until his uncalled-for firing by Rutgers this past weekend, Johnson brought fans their RU basketball fix on many winter nights for 23 years, and was respected by all in the Rutgers community.

Bruce brought listeners in-depth play descriptions live from all around the country and established various catch phrases and staples.

Rutgers fans would grin after every “Bingo” on a Jerome Coleman or Cappie Pondexter “3,” every time Quincy Douby needed a “saliva test,” when Matee Ajavon or Mike Sherrod drove “to the line, to the lane,” or Herve Lamizana situated himself “free throw line extended.”

Right-arc-threes, coffin corner jumpers, 30-foot-bombs, Applebee’s Food Fast, Hess Express—all things RU fans who tuned into WCTC or WOR will fondly remember hearing from Bruce.

For the early season games without TV coverage and into Big East play, you relied on Johnson and hung on every word. After all, the night wasn’t complete without a “Happy Recap.” And now fans will be deprived of that.

When Rutgers opens up this November at the truncated pyramid in Piscataway, something will be missing and never the same. WFAN’s Chris Carlin will be on the call, the politics of sports broadcasting will continue to take precedence over quality, and Bruce will not be in his rightful spot in the booth below Section 204.

An irreversible injustice, one that has this Rutgers fan questioning the school and profession I love, has occurred.

Johnson was dismissed from calling Rutgers football games when Greg Schiano took over the program. With new faces came a new direction, and Johnson was asked to leave.

Now with basketball, it's more of the same—a new coach, new talent, and a bigger desire to get the New York media's attention.

For me, this is personal, because Bruce Johnson was the reason why I joined WRSU and started calling sporting events for the Rutgers student radio station. It is also the same for my fellow commentator Danny Breslauer.

The first time I met Bruce he treated me great. He shook my hand and even talked to me for a bit. Every time I saw him at a game that season he always said hello. I know he was a mentor to Danny and taught him many things about commentating.

I can’t fathom why or how, but all I know is that Rutgers basketball won’t be complete again. “With the final score, one final time…to you and yours, have a good night everybody.”

We’ll miss ya Bruce. Come next basketball season, listen to WRSU call a game—you deserve to hear "bingo" in your honor, and you deserve to hear your "happy recap."

The Big Ten and Rutgers—A Perfect Match

Adam Helfgott — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 05:08:15 -0400

It’s a scenario that could make the Big Ten Football Conference once again the best in the nation. It’s a matchmaker's dream—and a dream that is certainly a possibility.

It would be a union between the Big Ten Conference and Rutgers University—a union that would have tremendous upside for all schools involved.

With 11 teams in the football conference now, the Big Ten cannot have a conference championship game unless it extends an invitation to one more team.

In addition to the conference championship issue, recently the Big Ten Network was created, and it is looking for more publicity to attract more viewers.

How do you get a conference championship game, get the Big Ten Network to become a major television network, and get the Big Ten back as the best conference in the country while drawing nationwide fans?

The simple answer—ask Notre Dame to join. This is something the Big Ten has already tried.

In 1999 the conference began talks with the Irish to possibly join the prestigious group of schools. Notre Dame eventually rejected the invitation for many reasons, one being their exclusive TV contract with NBC for home football games.

So who else is there to ask? The Big Ten will certainly continue to ask Notre Dame to join every time their TV contract is up, but most likely the Irish will say no once again.

So why not go for a university that has academic standards exactly of those in the Big Ten, a university that is located on the East Coast and can bring the conference to 12 teams, but that can also bring the Big Ten Network to the metropolitan area?

The Big Ten should extend an invitation to Rutgers. With the success of the football program and the amount of nationwide attention the school is getting, the Big Ten would be a perfect fit for the Scarlet Knights.

Currently Rutgers Stadium is being expanded to seat 56,000, and if success continues on the banks, there is talk the stadium could be expanded to seat 70,000 people. With two bowl victories and numerous top 25 appearances in the last two years, Rutgers would add another credible name to the Big Ten.

There are such major differences between schools like Rutgers, Louisville, St. John's, and Seton Hall that it makes you scratch your head to wonder when the Big East will break up. Rutgers does not belong with a bunch of private Catholic schools, some of which don't even have a football program.

Rutgers belongs with schools like Penn State, Ohio State, Michigan, and Indiana. Rutgers is athletically and academically similar to the Big Ten.

For the Big Ten, it’s a matter of facing reality. Notre Dame wants its own glory. The Big Ten is not a place for the golden domers.

Why go after schools like Syracuse, Pittsburgh, or West Virginia just on football talent alone, when Rutgers can give you football talent, a rising basketball program, location on the East Coast, and a school that is known worldwide as a great academic institution?

Rutgers also happens to be situated near the media capital of the world in New York City.

Adding Rutgers to the Big Ten would create the 12-team conference needed to have a conference championship game for football. It would bring the Big Ten Network to the East Coast. It would add another esteemed academic institution to the conference.

And Rutgers fans, do not give me the excuse about loyalty to the Big East. Take a lesson from the past. Miami and Virginia Tech belonged in the ACC, which is why they left. Boston College I cannot argue, but their decision turned out fine.

Rutgers belongs with Big Ten schools. When the Big Ten extends an invitation, take it. The Big East treated you well, and yes, it had faith in the football team when no one else did.

But Rutgers will have to do what’s best for the school academically and athletically.

The Big Ten will mean more TV appearances, more national exposure, a real shot at a national championship in a great conference—and most likely more students staying in New Jersey just for the name Rutgers will get if it joins.

It’s a scenario that may not happen for a few more years, but if it happens, both parties need to realize the opportunities in front of them.

Mike Teel: Underrated and Underappreciated

Adam Helfgott — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 07:13:54 -0400

He threw for 3,147 yards last season, he was just named to the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award watch list for 2008, he has a record of 20-8 as a starting quarterback, and he has led the team to two consecutive bowl victories.

It's time for fans to give Rutgers QB Mike Teel some love and trust for 2008.

With the great Ray Rice leaving for the NFL after breaking the school's all-time rushing record, everyone analyzing the 2008 Scarlet Knights are saying the offense will have to prove itself again without a great running game.

There is no need for a new identity, and there is no need not to trust Mike Teel. He has been a solid fixture at his position for the past two seasons. Coming into his senior season on the banks, he has a heralded bunch of talented receivers to throw to.

I am not saying Ray Rice and Brian Leonard and a very strong Rutgers defense did not help Rutgers win in the past. Of course they're all the main reasons, but Mike Teel's role was just as important as the others in turning this Rutgers program around.

Mike Teel was a winner way before he came to Piscataway. Teel was a two-time First Team All-State selection; was a two-time All-Parochial and All-Bergen County pick; and led Don Bosco to 23-consecutive wins and back-to-back state championships.

Teel understood how to win and came into his career at Rutgers with a winning attitude. That is exactly what head coach Greg Schiano was looking for. When he was called into the starting role full-time in 2006, he helped enable Rutgers to go onto one of its most successful seasons ever, winning 11 games.

A successful program has good players at all major positions. Rutgers had the talented running game, a solid defense, but also had a very strong-minded and tough quarterback to lead as well.

Everyone knows the blame of losing falls on the coach and quarterback, and no one took more blame last year than Mike Teel for an 8-5 season. He took the most blame after throwing a game-ending interception against Cincinnati as RU looked like it was driving for a game-winning TD in the last seconds.

Even with a badly hurt thumb for more than half the season, Teel kept on playing—and playing well.

Teel wound up throwing 20 touchdown passes, setting an all-time school record for a single season; was second in Rutgers history for yards in a season (3,147); and threw for six 300-yard games in 2007.

Most importantly, Teel looked completely healthy against Ball State in the International Bowl, in which Rutgers trounced BSU 52-30.

Now fans ask if Teel can still be good without Ray Rice behind him. The answer is yes. The running game behind Teel this year is not that bad, and his receivers are better than in years past.

Kordell Young and Mason Robinson will see lots of playing time in the backfield and will be nice compliments to Teel. Both are quick and can cut anyway in an instant.

Teel also has leading wide receivers Kenny Britt and Tiquan Underwood back from last year. Keith Stroud, Kevin Brock, and Tim Brown will also make fine targets for Teel.

Maybe the greatest number from last year's team was that Rutgers was the first team in NCAA history to have a 2,000-yard rusher, a 3,000-yard passer, and two 1,000-yard receivers.

Mike Teel is athletically skilled, mentally tough, and a proven winner. He is one of the main reasons the Rutgers program is where it is today.

Now the senior QB has a chance to really prove himself to all the fans out there, and I believe he will do that. Mike Teel may have been the quiet one behind Rice and Leonard, but this is now his team to lead.

Leading is exactly what Mike Teel has done the past two seasons.

Rutgers Football: 2008 Schedule Predictions

Adam Helfgott — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 07:01:59 -0400

Is this the year of the Knight in the Big East? Can the Rutgers get back into the top 25 one more time and make a play for the Big East title?

Here are my predictions for the 2008 Rutgers football season, game by game.

Sep. 1 vs. Fresno State:

Rutgers opens up the 2008 season with a tough home game against a very good WAC opponent. Fresno St. is coming off of a 9-4 season and a victory over Georgia Tech in the Humanitarian Bowl. Many put the Bulldogs in the top 25 to start the 2008 season.

Rutgers should have no problem putting up points in this game with a healthy Mike Teel at QB. The problem will be the RU defense containing a very prolific offense that averaged 33 points per game last season.

With QB Tom Brandstater back, the Bulldogs should be able to surpass the 33 point mark against a weak RU defense. The Bulldogs have won 12 games against BCS opponents.

Prediction: Fresno State 38, Rutgers 30

Sep. 11 vs. North Carolina:

After an opening week loss, many people in Jersey will begin to question Schiano and say that 2006 was only a fluke. Game two for RU is when everything will click.

UNC brings 10 starters back on offense, but the major question is at QB for the Heels. Last year, Rutgers was surprised by a bigger and more physical ACC team in Maryland at home. This will not happen two years in a row.

Mike Teel and company will put up points and the RU defense should be able to hold UNC to under 30 points.

Prediction: Rutgers 31, UNC 21

Sep. 20 at Navy:

Coming into the game 1-1, Rutgers should have no problem defeating the Midshipmen on the road. Rutgers is just physically bigger and better all around. No point going into details with this game.

Prediction: Rutgers 35, Navy 14

Sep. 27 vs. Morgan State:

The usual one team per year who is part of the playoff subdivision in college football. Should be an easy game for the Knights. The only thing fans should worry about is if Morgan State can bring a better band than Norfolk State brought last season.

Prediction: Rutgers 42, Morgan State 21

Oct. 4 at West Virginia:

Things finally start to get interesting as the Knights head to Morgantown. West Virginia should be coming off an easy win over Marshall but don't be surprised if WVU is looking ahead past RU and Syracuse to the game against Auburn.

Pat White and Noel Devine should get plenty of points against an RU defense that never does well against a running QB. I've said on my radio show that I feel Rutgers will finally break the losing streak against WVU this year.

Looking at that statement now, I may want to take that back after seeing a bad RU defense in the spring game. I'll say this—the game will be close and comes down to a field goal by either side.

Prediction: WVU 34, Rutgers 31

Oct. 11 at Cincinnati:

Plain and simple, Rutgers owes the Bearcats a major beating after they spoiled both the 2006 and 2007 seasons for the Knights. QB Ben Mauk is still crying over being denied his sixth season of eligibility, so Cincy does not have much talent left on offense. Rutgers should handle the Bearcat defense just fine. Look for the running game of RU to break out in this one.

Prediction: Rutgers 27, Cincinnati 10

Oct. 18 vs. UConn:

RU is 4-2 at this point and 1-1 in conference play. It's homecoming weekend for the Knights as they take on the Huskies. Rutgers was embarrassed last year in Hartford, and UConn depleted the RU defense. Look for Mike Teel and company to try and embarrass UConn at Rutgers Stadium.

Prediction: Rutgers 35, UConn 14

Oct. 25 at Pitt:

Rutgers is coming in at 5-2, but the Panthers are a team that is very dangerous. With a great running game and a solid defense, Pitt will keep Rutgers in check. Last season Pitt would have beaten RU had it not been for a pass interference call on the Panthers late in the fourth quarter.

Rutgers can give their best shot, and as long as Coach Wannstedt doesn't lose the game himself for Pitt, I think the Panthers may get a big home victory over RU.

Prediction: Pitt 33, Rutgers 24

Nov. 8 vs. Syracuse:

It's gut check time for Rutgers. 5-3 overall and 2-2 in conference. Luckily RU gets a home game against a bad team in the Orange. Rutgers should be able to put up points against a bad defense. The Knights defense will have to hold Andrew Robinson in check, and if that happens, RU will win easily.

Prediction: Rutgers 37, Syracuse 24

Nov. 15 at USF:

This is where the season either takes a stride for the better or the worse. This is simply the biggest game RU will have this season, at 6-3 overall with a chance to get back into the Big East race for second place.

QB Matt Grothe, RE George Selvie, and FS Nate Allen all return for the Bulls, but they have questions at linebacker and cornerback that Rutgers will take advantage of on the offensive side. Two years ago Rutgers went into Raymond James Stadium and pulled out a 22-20 victory, keeping their perfect record alive at the time.

This time RU will win once again in Tampa and march back to Piscataway.

Prediction: Rutgers 30, USF 24

Nov. 22 vs. Army:

The last non-conference opponent RU will face should be an easy win for the Knights. Last season Ray Rice ran all over the Black Knights, and even back up QB Jabu Lovelace had a solid performance. Look for Teel to throw touchdowns early and look to see Lovelace come into the game late in the third quarter.

Prediction: Rutgers 45, Army 14

Dec. 4 vs. Louisville:

It's a Thursday night ESPN primetime showdown once again with these two teams. Rutgers is 8-3, 4-2 in conference, coming into a huge game at home. With a win, Rutgers has a shot to finish in second if they can get help from either USF or WVU to knock out Pitt.

With Brohm gone and the entire Cardinals defense in question, Rutgers should be able to put points on the board. But just like last year, Rutgers cannot go into cruise control once they have the lead. With an opportunity to possibly get to the Gator Bowl, Rutgers will need to step on Louisville's throat.

Prediction: Rutgers 38, Louisville 28

This should be an interesting year for the Scarlet Knights. Their schedule is difficult but their talent alone may allow RU to pull off a road upset more than once. Don't write off RU if they lose to Fresno and/or UNC in the first two weeks.

What matters most for RU is the Big East Conference. If Rutgers can find a way to possibly end the losing streak to WVU on October 4, then the Knights can definitely pull off a string of victories. It may come down to the big game at USF determining whether the season really takes a turn for the better or worse.

Final Prediction: Rutgers finishes 2008 with a record of 9-3 (5-2), and with a little bit of help Rutgers can still finish in second and get to the Gator Bowl.

Rutgers Football: Time is Running Out

Adam Helfgott — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 04:39:23 -0400

Coming off what many fans consider a disappointing 8-5 bowl-winning season, Rutgers football must live up to expectations in 2008 to sustain this wave of believers in New Jersey.

Rutgers defeated Ball State 52-30 at the International Bowl, earning its second consecutive bowl victory for the first time in school history. Who would have thought that Rutgers fans would be unsatisfied coming off another bowl win?

Maybe it was because Rutgers came into 2007 ranked for the first time in school history and ended up losing three games at home after being perfect the year prior.

The embarrassing defeats to UConn and Louisville also didn’t help. Then RU had to go to some January bowl in Canada and play a weak MAC team.

With the season ticket waiting list still strong, the ever-growing Rutgers fan base in the metropolitan area, and the approval of adding 13,000 seats to Rutgers Stadium, the 2008 Scarlet Knights cannot have another year like 2007.

These are not the years when fans expected one or two Big East wins and maybe 25,000 people showing up for homecoming. Rutgers fans want to compete for a Big East championship and go to a major bowl game. Why not do it in 2008?

First, the Scarlet Knights may have the best offense in school history when all is said and done. Senior QB Mike Teel has no reason not to finish in the top five in passing yards, with an array of wide receivers including Kenny Britt and Tiquan Underwood—both players had over 1,000 receiving yards last season.

Second, the Big East conference is as even as ever with Rich Rodriguez leaving for Michigan. Looking at the conference overall, you have to look for WVU to be the favorite, with teams like Pitt, USF, UConn, and Rutgers all in the mix right behind the Mountaineers.

Finally, as in 2006, Rutgers has the home schedule to go undefeated on the banks of the old Raritan one more time. This year’s schedule for RU may be the toughest in school history but Rutgers will get a chance to prove itself at home right from the start.

With two nationally televised games on ESPN to start the season, against Fresno State on Labor Day and North Carolina on a Thursday night, RU will have the electricity flowing through Piscataway like it did two years ago.

The other home opponents this season include Morgan State, Army, UConn, Syracuse, and Louisville—all games that RU should and must win.

If RU can win all seven home games and find a way to get two or three road wins, then the Scarlet Knights put themselves in good shape to win 10 games and go to a decent bowl.

Rutgers will most likely need the rest of the conference to beat each other up to finish in the top two, but this could be the year it happens.

It's simple—win and everyone is happy.

Lose, and all of a sudden everyone will bash the stadium expansion, and rumors will begin to fly again that head coach Greg Schiano will bolt for Happy Valley.

Rutgers is now a legitimate college football program, and the fans shouldn't have to be content with eight-win seasons.

Rutgers needs to compete for a Big East title now—if it doesn’t happen this year, fans will wonder if the Schiano era will be plagued by average seasons.