RU Football: RU Loses CB Mason Robinson, Prepares for UNC DE Quinton Coples

The injury bug once again bites Rutgers cornerback Mason Robinson.

NJ.com is reporting that Robinson, also expected to be the Knights go to guy in the return game, suffered a season-ending ACL tear. 

Head Coach Greg Schiano explained that Robinson suffered the injury “on a very simple turn and run in coverage.”

Robinson also endured a season ending knee injury in Rutgers’ 2009 opener against Cincinnati. 

Given the circumstances of the fifth-year senior’s college ball career, Schiano indicated that he will appeal for the former running back’s sixth year of eligibility. 

While the Scarlet Knights have plenty of depth at the position including Marcus Cooper, Gareef Glasheen, Jonathan Aiken, Jordan Thomas and starters Logan Ryan and Brandon Jones, the loss is a huge blow since Robinson was regarded as the most talented of the bunch.

Mohamed Sanu and Miles Shuler are the favorites to take over punt return duties, but fellow receivers Quron Pratt and J.T. Tartacoff are in the mix as well.   

The last thing Rutgers needs right now is more injuries, as starting left guard Desmond Wynn is no sure thing to play in Week 2 after sustaining an injury to his left knee against North Carolina Central. 

This could very well be a bigger loss than Robinson for the Big East underdogs, since they will face a North Carolina defensive end that is expected to go either first or second in the 2012 NFL draft.

Bleacher Report has UNC’s Quinton Coples going first, while ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper, as well as WalterFootball.com, has Coples going second.

One would have to search long and hard to find a reputable website that lists Coples being drafted outside the top five.

Last year, Coples ripped RU’s offensive line to shreds, notching nine tackles and three sacks. 

While Rutgers did not allow a sack against NCC, the first time that happened in 23 games, UNC is a completely different animal. 

RU Offensive tackle Desmond Stapleton told NJ.com that Coples is a special kind of player. 

“He’s very talented,” said Stapleton. “He’s very physical, knows the game, is very athletic. He’s just a good player.”

Fellow starting offensive tackle Andre Civil made it clear that he is not scared to face a top tier defense. 

“I don’t think it’s daunting at all,” said Civil, a third-year sophomore who will make his third college start at North Carolina.

“I don’t think it is because coach (Greg) Schiano and the staff prepare you for games and for challenges like this. So I’m not worrying about it too much.”

Of course, that is easy for Civil to say, given that Coples is likely to be rushing Stapleton’s side of the line for the majority of the game.

UNC is hands down going to be Rutgers toughest challenge outside of the Big East, with out of conference play including the likes of Ohio, Navy and Army. 

Many fans and analysts alike have come to the conclusion that this match up with UNC will make or break the Knights season.

The Week 2 match up takes place at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and kick off takes place at 12:29 pm Eastern Time.