In first scrimmage, defense dominates

If this morning was any implication of how the season could turn out, we now know that Schiano has the defense rolling again.

Unfortunately, playing by the stats and the views, the offense has a long way to go.

First team quarterback Tom Savage was mediocre, completing eight of fifteen passes for fifty-two yards. Chas Dodd, back-up quarterback and leader of the second team, was 9-of-18 for 72 yards. Dodd, the star of week one, was also picked off. He fumbled the snap twice.

As for the running back situation, it remains open. With starting running back Joe Martinek out, frosh Casey Turner compiled a team-leading 22 yards on five carries. Turner also accumulated the game’s longest rushing play, scooting for sixteen yards through a fearless and dominant defense. But it seemed as though Mason Robinson was the day’s best back. Robinson gained ten yards on two carries, but those ten yards came on a ten yard touchdown rush. Robinson also hauled in the game’s longest reception, a sixteen yard fling from Savage. Jordan Thomas ran six times for eighteen yards, and Jeremy Deering rushed for sixteen yards on four carries out of the wildcat situation.

In all fairness to the offense, which looked completely overmatched, two starters weren’t on the field in Martinek and offensive lineman and captain Howard Barbieri.

The defensive unit was led by Scott Vallone, a pre-season all-Big East selection. Vallone was menace, causing havoc all day. He seemed to be all over the field, dropping Jordan Thomas for a safety at one point. That was one of two safeties on the day, as one occurred on a snap that sailed over Savage’s head.

Maybe, the defensive line wasn’t so spectacular, as the offensive line, more youthful and less experienced and talented, may have been bad. Schiano said he wasn’t happy with their play mentally, as they looked fine physically.

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The defense scored more points on the day than the offense, which had the first team gain 79 yards on 24 plays. The second team didn’t fare much better as Dodd led them to 83 yards on 29 plays. The defense collected a pick-six along with the safeties to lead the scoring. Schiano said the INT was one of the most gorgeous plays he had seen in a while. Marcus Cooper, a red-shirt sophomore, intercepted Chas Dodd’s pass and returned it all the way.

“The defense definitely had a good day,” Tom Savage said. “I know we saw a lot of good things that we liked, but obviously on offense we have a lot of work to do, we all know.”

By: Justin Sontupe
BigEast-fans.com Rutgers Correspondent