The Knights Watchman

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights take on the Eastern MichiganUniversity Eagles at 3:30 pm EST today at High Point Solutions Stadium . Rutgers took a step in the right direction last week with a hard-fought loss to Washington, a top-ten team. The Eagles are coming off a bowl appearance last season, finishing the year 7-6. In its first game this season, Eastern Michigan defeated Charlotte of Conference USA , 24-7. According to Rutgers head coach Chris Ash, EMU is "very well coached" by Chris Creighton, who like Ash, spent time at Drake University . Ash added, "we expect to get their best shot here on Saturday afternoon." Ash understands that MAC schools will be highly motivated for the chance to knock off an opponent from a Power 5 school. Ash said it seems every other year a MAC school beats a Power 5 school and "we don't want to be on ESPN for that." The coach said the goal for Rutgers this week is to avoid mental errors. "That's wha...

On Wednesday, the members of the Rutgers football team voted for the team captains for 2017. The four athletes who received the honor are senior right guard Dorian Miller, senior defensive lineman Darnell Davis, senior graduate transfer quarterback Kyle Bolin, and junior linebacker Deonte Roberts. I've seen some articles and comments online about the selection of Kyle Bolin being a bit of a surprise due to his status as a one-year graduate transfer. However, from following players and fans of Rutgers football on Twitter, it was clear over the past couple of months that Bolin was making every effort to be a leader among his teammates. He kept a steady dialog with many of them throughout the summer and organized trips to the Shore and things like that. His selection as captain obviously bodes well insofar as his chances to be named the starting quarterback. A large part of being the QB is being the leader of the team, and clearly the guys already view him as one of their ...

After practice on August 10, Rutgers associate head coach and offensive line coach A.J. Blazek took questions from a small group of reporters, followed by a session with the Scarlet Knights' defensive line coach Shane Burnham. It's always a pleasure to hear from Blazek and Burnham, as these are two old school guys who love football. Right guard continues to be a topic of conversation as Blazek and the rest of the staff sort out who the starter will be. Blazek said redshirt freshman Nick Krimin is "doing some good things," redshirt sophomore Zach Venesky has a grinder personality, and that Blazek's "really happy with" redshirt junior Marcus Applefield, who seems to have come on strong after having to sit out Spring camp as he recovered from injury. In addition, Blazek praised guard Dorian Miller as someone who's always asking questions and working to improve despite his status as a senior, and that redshirt sophomore center Jonah Jackso...

Great news came out of Chicago on Monday for fans of Rutgers football as well as college football fans everywhere. Scarlet Knights returner/receiver Janarion Grant was given a clean bill of health according to head coach Chris Ash. Via J.P. Pelzman of the Asbury Park Press , "he's 100 percent," says the coach. Grant "has been pretty much full go for the majority of the summer. He looks great, he's in great shape (and) he's put weight back on." On Tuesday, in an interview with the BTN Live team, Ash was asked about what Grant's return means for the Scarlet Knights. Ash's response, "It's everything. He brings a lot of excitement to the program...He's what I would consider our best playmaker." Asked during the players' BTN Live interview about how Grant's return affects the team, offensive lineman Dorian Miller said of his former roommate, "It means a lot." And According to cornerback Blessuan Aust...

There were many twists and turns but in the end I think Rutgers fans have to be a happy with the 9-point come-from-behind victory over New Mexico . Sure, another slow start in the first quarter is a concern. But I think one of the things lost in the discussion is that the Scarlet Knights defense actually stopped the Lobos on the first series. New Mexico was four plays and out before the ill-fated botched punt return. It's hard to criticize Janarion Grant for anything since he's been our best and most dynamic player, but that's certainly one he'd like to have back. On a punt return team, anytime a ball is over your head it's standard to let it go. And coupled with the sun glare at High Point Solutions Stadium, taking a chance on the ball being downed deep in our own end would've been the wisest course of action. Punt return, though, has got to be one of the most difficult things to do on a football field, so it's tough to second guess anyone who's do...