The Knights Watchman

scarletknights.com After two-weeks to work on fundamentals, get a bit healthier, and prepare for Saturday's showdown with the University of Illinois Fighting Illini , Rutgers finally gets the chance to go back to showing the improvement that we saw at the start of the season. Coach Ash said that the staff "took a hard look at all three phases." The Scarlet Knights head into the contest at Memorial Stadium in Champaign to face what appears to be the most beatable opponent on the remaining schedule. Saying the Illini are beatable and then going to their home field and doing that are two different things. Like Rutgers , the Fighting Illini have recently been embroiled in a quarterback controversy. Sophomore Jeff George, Jr., just wrested the job from junior Chayce Crouch. George gives the Illini a QB with a very strong arm who can sling the ball downfield, much like his father. However, in the small sample of his play, he's also been prone to interceptions...

The media had the chance to pepper Scarlet Knights Special Teams and Tight Ends coach Vince Okruch this past Friday. Okruch provided them with some personnel news as well as some insights into the teams overall preparedness as they close out training camp. Senior graduate transfer Ryan Anderson has won the job as the starting punter over Michael Cintron. Okruch explained that Anderson "has greater distance; kicks a deeper ball." True freshman Justin Davidovicz will handle kickoffs. The placekicking competition is ongoing between transfer Andrew Harte, a former recruit of Jerry Kill's at Minnesota , and last year's starter, David Bonagura. Whomever shows the most consistency will get the job. There is also an ongoing competition at long snapper, with returning starter Alan Lucy trying to hold off freshman Bill Taylor. Okruch said the team "could have a lot of freshman covering kicks." As an example, Okruch mentioned Edwin "Tank...

Last week, Rutgers defensive backs coach Henry Baker answered questions about the cornerbacks. On what has impressed him most about the corners since he's been with the Scarlet Knights, Baker said, "how these guys work...these guys are willing to embrace the process of learning." On whether he's talked with the defensive backs about last year, Baker said that they only go back and watch film "to reiterate how far they've come." Asked about some of the new players, Baker said Edwin "Tank" Lopez "has the willingness to go in there and put his face in there." He also mentioned that Tim Barrow is "coming along" in terms of getting to the point where he can make a contribution. In terms of returning players, senior Isaiah Wharton is "methodical, he knows the defense" and other players "know that they can count on him to be able to do his job." Baker says that Damon Hayes is a "produ...

Rutgers co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach Bill Busch met with reporters on Friday. He gave an update on some of the key players at safety. Redshirt junior Saquan Hampton "has great range...He also has great coverage skills...That's a tough dude." True freshman Edwin Lopez (aka Tank), Naijee Jones, and Tim Barrow "have all done a great job for us." Redshirt senior Zane Campbell and sophomore K.J. Gray "are playing very well." "K.J. Gray will be very involved right from the get-go...He's got tremendous ball skills and range." Redshirt junior Kiy Hester has "had an exceptional camp." In general, the coach is happy with "the retention they've had from last year" and that by comparison, the players have a "high football IQ." While noting the improvement, Busch cautioned "We're a huge work in progress but we're making strides."