8 - Friday, October 3, 2014 The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com First meeting for programs FOOTBALL Q&A withDaily Targum reporter Conference moves create matchup between oldest teams in FBS By MAX COHEN Daily Sports Editor When Rutgers joined the Big Ten, there were numerous questions about how its football team would fit into the conference. The -Scarlet Knights were viewed as an underwhelming program, one incapable of competing for Big Ten titles. But it's Michigan (0-1 Big Ten, 2-3 overall) that desperately needs a win entering the first- ever meeting between the historic programs. Rutgers (0-1, 4-1) put ascare into Penn State in its first Big Ten game, ultimately falling short in a 13-10 loss in Piscataway, but the Wolverines fell to Minnesota in their opener, 30-14. Though the Scarlet Knights are new to the Big Ten, the program's history is lengthy. Rutgers participated in the first-ever college football game, defeating Princeton, 6-4,on Nov. 6,1869. Michigan played its first game 10 years later, defeating Racine, 1-0,onMay 30,1879. Rutgers and Michigan are the two oldest FBS football programs. The Scarlet Knights historically haven't experienced the success the Wolverines have. Rutgers is 464-437-22 all-time, and didn't have a single winning season between 1992 and 2005. But the Scarlet Knights have had just two losing seasons since. Former head coach Greg Schiano helped put the program in position to win consistently during his 11-season tenure from 2001 to 2011. The highlight of Rutgers' recent success came during the 2006 season, in which By ALEJANDRO ZONIGA ManagingSports Editor The Daily Targum writer Greg Johnson discusses the upcoming Michigan-Rutgers game. The Michigan Daily: Quarterback Gary Nova has really struggled at times this year, including that ugly five- interception game against Penn State. How much of the blame lies with him? Greg Johnson: Nova's inconsistencies over the years have been his own sporadic decision-making, but he tends to run into trouble when he's asked to do too much. Nova has talent and can make plays when the offense is in rhythm, but he's best suited as a game manager. He's excelled in that role the last two weeks, so granted Rutgers runs the ball effectively early, we'll see if he can deliver in a big game against the Michigan defense. TMD: Saturday's meeting will be the first between these two storied programs, but Michigan is far from the level most people expect of it. What's the excitement level like given the Wolverines' poor starts GJi Despite the 2-3 record, Michigan is still Michigan to Rutgers and its fans, and a win would be huge this weekend. Given the crushing loss to Penn State and the factthatthis athletic department has had its own share of PR nightmares the last couple years, fans are desperate to see this program make noise in the Big Ten and keep moving in the right direction. TMD: Rutgers is a big first- half team; Michigan can't seem to score in any way. The Scarlet Knights capitalize on turnovers; the Wolverines' offense can't stop committing them. Does it feel like Michigan iswalking into abuzz saw in Piscataway? GJ: It's funny how the narrative has gone from"Rutgers might have a chance" in the preseason to now . essentially "Rutgers better not lose." I wouldn't be shocked if the Knights pull away handily in this one, but I also wouldn't be surprised if Rutgers lays a goose egg.Therealotofreasonstothink Rutgers is getting Michigan at a perfect time, but there's still alot of talent on that roster. On paper this is certainly a game Rutgers should win. TMD: What has the move to the Big Ten been like? GJ: It's exciting. It's bringing in tons of notoriety and definitely helpingrecruitinginalotofways. Having The Big Ten Network set on campus for the first time a few weeks ago was great for the fans. Granted, the conference's football product hasn't been great so far this year, but there's a tremendous buzz when people think of the history and prestige- of the Big Ten. TMD: Finally, we'd be remiss not to talk about Andre Hunt, the freshman walk-on who is listed as a co-starter for Saturday's. meeting. And in the bigger picture, how will Rutgers be affected most by the 19-man injury list? GJ: Hunt is a great guy with an even better backstory. Almost quit football after blowing out both of his knees in high school back in Minnesota. As far as the lengthy injury list, most of the guys on there are just for precautionary measures. Only star running back Paul James' torn ACL really matters long-term. Kyle Flood is also less cryptic with injuries than alot of college head coaches, including Brady Hoke, it seems like. The Michigan football team has struggled to manage much offensively, and It will be tested by a ferocious Rutgers 'D.' the Scarlet Knights went 11-2. Runningback Ray Rice became a national star, leadingthe offense and rushing for 1,794 yards and 20 touchdowns. On Nov. 29 of that year, the undefeated, 15th-ranked Scarlet Knights upset No. 3 Louisville, 28-25, in a game many remember as "Pandemonium in Piscataway." Because of the program's previous lack of success, the fans were raucous when presented with the opportunity to see their team play in a big game. When the upset concluded, the fans rushed the field. Though the team eventually lost two games, the contest set the precedent for added excitement about the Rutgers program. Many compared the environment at the Scarlet Knights' first Big Ten home game against the Nittany Lions to the atmosphere at the 2006 Louisville game. Saturday's game against the Wolverines is sold out, and the atmosphere is expected to be rowdy. Fifth-year senior .Devin Gardner will be Michigan's starting quarterback once again after he was benched in favor of sophomore Shane Morris before the Wolverines' loss to Minnesota. Gardner won't have much time to get comfortable now that he has regained his position. Rutgers currently leads the Big Ten with 21 sacks, posing a challenge to Michigan's relatively inexperienced offensive line. Michigan coach Brady Hoke said a variety of issues have plagued his team in pass protection. "We cut some guy loose because we were a little over- aggressive, and we cut some guys loose because we hadn't picked it up the right way from a backfield standpoint, and we cut some guys loose because our quarterback hasn't stepped up in the pocket," Hoke said Wednesday. In most weeks, off-field issues serve as an interruption from football talk. But with. controversy swirling around the handling of Morris' injury, football will give Michigan a much-needed break from everything else. Q&A: Kyle Flood Breakdown: Distractions loom By ALEXA DETTELBACH Daily SportsEditor Michigan coach Brady Hoke said Wednesday that Rutgers is a "well-coached football team" whose success begins with coach Kyle Flood. Flood has led the Scarlet Knights for three years after replacing coach Greg Schiano, who left for the NFL in 2011. He's gone 16-10 with Rutgers. The Daily sat down with Flood at Big Ten Media Day in August. The Michigan Daily: What are you most excited about with Rutgers joining the Big Ten? Kyle Flood: I think there's a couple things that come up right away. It's one of the power five conferences; we're in the elite academic athletic conference in the country. So to me, you have a destination location, which in college football the landscape a couple years ago, not everybody has that now. We feel like we belong here. This is a very good marriage for Rutgers and the Big Ten. So to me that part of it now we can move past it, and now we're trying to win championships. TMD: What have you found as the biggest challenge with the transition? KF: For us as coaches, we have a yearly routine of how you go about things, so now this year because it's a new conference, 12 new opponents on our schedule, not just the conference schedule. That's been the most taxing thing on our staff. But really in terms of how we got about things and how we train, we've been doing it at Rutgers a long time so that doesn't change for us. TMD: You've been coaching for over 20 years, how do you still find it exciting everyday? KF: There's no better way to spend your waking hours than to work with young people and to me, I started as a high school math teacher, then I moved to the coaching profession. When you have the opportunity to work with young people that energizes you a lot I think. TMD: You guys were in the Jabrill Peppers conversation for a while, what kind of player do you think he is? KF: I think Jabrill is quite a good football player. He was certainly a good football player in high school, but now he's going to have to transition into college. There's no question he has a high ceiling. TMD: Now that Rutgers has a Midwest connection how can that help with recruiting and the direction of the program? KF: I think what it does it really opens up some not traditional areas. We have a quarterback and a receiver that we got from Michigan, a tight end from Minnesota, a tight end from Texas. The access to those players, although we're not going to be full time recruiting in the Midwest, because there's not really a huge population of players close to home, but if there's a position we need we can go out there and get it and that'll be good. Plus, they'll be interested in coming to the Big Ten. TMD: Did you notice a big bump in recruiting over the year once it was decided you were moving to the Big Ten? KF: Absolutely, there's no doubt. The best players in high school want to play against the best. You're playing against some of the most historic programs in the history of college football. There's no doubt that's what they want. TMD: What can you say about the Michigan-Rutgers matchup that's going to be at night in High Point Solutions Stadium stadium? KF: It's a very big game and will be great for our program. As for the event side, like I said I don't know much about it, but I'm sure it will be great. By GREG GARNO ManagingSports Editor The Daily breaks down this week's matchup. Michigan pass offense vs. Rutgers pass defense Michigan's passing lives and dies with junior wide receiver Devin Funchess, which should make for easy game planning for the Rutgers defense. Fifth- year senior quarterback Devin Gardner's rapport with wide receivers against Minnesota didn't look better than it did two weeks before against Utah. But the Rutgers passing defense ranks 13th in the Big Ten, and has allowed nearly 1,400 total yards having played the likes of Tulane and Howard. The Scarlet Knights have just three interceptions this season, but they could feast on Gardner's inaccuracy. In this case, it's a matter of which one makes the fewest mistakes. Edge: Rutgers Michigan rush offense vs. Rutgers rush defense The Michigan rushing game, once led by sophomore Derrick Green, is now up in the air after he struggled against the Golden Gophers. Sophomore De'Veon Smith hasn't proved to be much of a better back, but did find some room last Saturday. The Wolverines' line hasn't been able to open up enough holes betweenthe tackles. Combined with Rutgers defensive end Darius Hamilton, who has six tackles for loss this season, and a 49th-ranked Scarlet Knights rush defense, this doesn't bode well for Michigan. Edge: Rutgers Rutgers pass offense vs. Michigan pass defense Scarlet Knights quarterback Gary Nova won't be an intimidating threat for the Michigan secondary, even if it does play like it did last week. Nova has seven interceptions on the season and relies on the 0 4 EDWIN GANO/The Daily Targum Rutgers quarterback Gary Nova threw five picks against Penn State, but he can be an efficient game manager. running game's success to take the pressure off him. When's he forced to drop back to pass, as opposed to using play action, Nova's arm is exposed. Against Penn State three weeks ago, he threw five interceptions. Michigan's secondary, meanwhile, returns junior safety Jarrod Wilson and senior corner back Raymon Taylor to bring back some experience and depth at the positions. Edge: Michigan Rutgers rush offense vs. Michigan rush defense One team's strength against another team's strength means something has to budge. And the way Michigan has played against the rush, it should find the upper hand. It's led by a line that doesn't miss a beat often, regardless of who steps in. Redshirt sophomore defensive tackles Willie Henry and Ryan Glasgow held their own this year. But against Minnesota, they were gashed for 167yards. The Wolverines have allowed more than 100 yards in just two games this season, and have otherwise allowed exactly three yards per carry. Rutgers, led by Paul James' five touchdowns and 5.7 yards per carry, hasn't been tested at the line. Edge: Michigan Specialteams This could very well determine a game in which both sides appear even with each other.And if that's the case, it doesn't bode well for the Wolverines. Its punting blunder against Utah aside, Michigan hasn't given reason to be optimistic that it can make a big play. The Wolverines are 11th in the Big Ten in punt- return average and 12th in kick returns. Junior Dennis Norfleet hasn't had a chance to run with the ball when punt coverage doesn't give him enough time to catch the ball and break free. Redshirt sophomore Amarah Darboh and Peppers haven't made much of an impact themselves as returners. While Rutgers hasn't played much better on return coverage, it does have four blocked kicks that could be pivotal to swinging momentum. Edge: Rutgers Intangibles In theory, Michigan should be motivated to silence critics who have grown louder each week. But with all the distraction surrounding Michigan coach Brady Hoke and Athletic Director Dave Brandon, it's going to be tough to keep focused on this game. It's an opponent the Wolverines haven't faced, and things could come crashing down quickly on the road. With Michigan earning all of the attention, the Scarlet Knights should be more focused. FINAL: Rutgers 24, Michigan 21 a a C I 4