Preview: Army (3-6) vs. Rutgers (6-3)
3:30 p.m. Saturday, Yankee Stadium
Last updated: 8:36 PM - 11/11/11
Key to the game
Play error-free football. This game will be decided by turnovers. Army is tied for seventh in the nation in giveaways (22). Rutgers is No. 2 in takeaways (28) but has allowed lost possessions 20 times.
Players to watch
Angel Santiago, Army freshman quarterback: Army coach Rich Ellerson said he has wanted to get Santiago extended playing in the past two games but has held back. Santiago should draw his first career start. Santiago has the speed to get outside and efficiently run Army?s option.
Kyler Martin, Army junior strong safety: Martin will make his first start as a defensive back. He must assist on coverage of receiver Mohamad Sanu.
Chas Dodd, Rutgers sophomore quarterback: How will Dodd fare against Army?s pressure in the pocket? He didn?t handle it well last season as Army dropped him for eight sacks and could have had a few more if it weren?t for some holding penalties.
Duron Harmon, Rutgers junior strong safety: Harmon has become a big-time playmaker (five interceptions) in his first season as a starter. Rutgers could draw Harmon near the line to help out in run support.
About Rutgers
Rutgers has rebounded after its first losing season under Greg Schiano since 2004 and been one of the surprises of the Big East. The Scarlet Knights are bowl eligible for sixth time in the last seven seasons.
Rutgers' defense is a pressure unit, which is tied for fourth in the nation with 72 tackles for a loss.
Eric LeGrand, who was paralyzed after making a tackle on a kickoff against Army last season, will provide pregame and postgame radio analysis. LeGrand also will be a third-quarter guest on CBS Sports Network.
Warwick resident Paul Canevari is a freshman running back. Canevari has not appeared in a game this season.
Quarterbacks
Army has Rutgers preparing for three quarterbacks this week. Junior Trent Steelman, who has missed the last two games, is questionable with an ankle injury and may come down to a game-time decision if he can play. Freshman Angel Santiago took a lot of first-team reps this week and may make his first college start. Senior Max Jenkins has started the last two games. Whoever lines up under center must protect the football. Army has had too many bad center-quarterback exchanges this season. Rutgers sophomore Chas Dodd will make his fifth start of the season and replaces freshman Gary Nova this week. Dodd, who will be making his fifth start this season, helped Rutgers to a 23-20 overtime win over Army in his second career start last season. Dodd tends to hold onto the ball for second or two too long. He was sacked eight times by Army last year. Edge: Even
Running backs
Sophomore Raymond Maples, Army's leading rusher, was banged up late in practice Tuesday and is likely out with an undisclosed injury. Maples became the 13th player in academy history to have five 100-yard rushing games in a season last week. Freshman Stephen Fraser will likely see his first extended playing time in place of Maples. Freshman fullback Larry Dixon scored a touchdown for the second straight week, but had just one carry in the second half. Slotback Malcolm Brown is due to for a big game if Army decides to run out of the broken bone formation. Brown has been held to less than 50 yards in the last six games. Rutgers freshman Jawan Jamison leads the team with 484 yards but averages just 3.1 per carry. Highly recruited freshman Savon Huggins is out with a knee injury. Senior Joe Martinek, who has moved to fullback, has just 17 carries this season but could see be more of a factor this week. He has scored three times in the last two games against Army. Edge: Even
Receivers
Army receivers have caught just two passes in the last three games. They need to be more alert when blocking. Austin Barr impeded slotback Scott Williams' path in the second quarter last week. It was enough to have Williams slow down, have the ball punched out near the goal line and roll through the end zone. Rutgers junior Mohamad Sanu (81 catches) is seven receptions away from breaking Kenny Britt's school record and 11 shy of Larry Fitzgerald's Big East single-season record (92). Sanu, who has caught 44 percent of his team's completions, seems to make a highlight-reel catch every game. He kept a fourth-quarter, touchdown-tying drive alive when he tipped a fourth-and-9 pass to himself and caught it on his back. Junior Mark Harrison is questionable with a head injury. Edge: Rutgers
Offensive line
Army's front five completely dominated Air Force in the first half last week as the Black Knights rushed for 286 yards. Junior guard Frank Allen said linemen were taking "sloppy steps" and stepping underneath themselves in the second half when the unit gained 56 yards. Rutgers didn't open up many holes against South Florida last week. The Scarlet Knights had 7 rushing yards on 28 carries. Rutgers can struggle with its pass protection. Edge: Army
Defensive line
Army must dial up the pressure against Chas Dodd. Junior Zach Watts played one of his best games since moving to rush end last week. Watts had two tackles for a loss, including a sack. Rutgers has an active line led by senior Justin Francis. Francis, a former defensive end, could cause some trouble with his quickness off the ball. He had 11 tackles and two sacks against South Florida last week. Edge: Rutgers
Linebackers
Expect Army to have Steve Erzinger and Nate Combs blitz early and often, forcing Dodd's hand. Erzinger, a co-captain who made 14 tackles against Rutgers last season, must be as active in this game. Rutgers junior Khaseem Greene's move from free safety to outside linebacker has been an unqualified success. Greene, the team's leading tackler (92), had 17 stops against South Florida. Steve Beauharnais is a veteran presence in the middle. Edge: Even
Defensive backs
Army junior cornerback Josh Jackson will have his hands full with Mohamad Sanu. The Black Knights must give Jackson help and double-cover Sanu if necessary. Junior Kyler Martin will make his first start as a strong safety. Senior free safety David Rowe, who played cornerback last season, is the lone returning starter, but Rutgers' secondary hasn't missed a beat. Rutgers' starters have combined for 11 interceptions, including five by sophomore strong safety Duron Harmon. The Scarlet Knights have returned two picks for touchdowns. Edge: Rutgers
Special teams
Army probably won't try a fake punt, which backfired into a turnover in a tie game last week. Junior punter Chris Boldt has been a bright light during a less-than-stellar season for this group. Boldt boomed a season-high 72-yard punt last week. Rutgers has blocked six kicks this season. Sophomore Jamal Merrell has three blocks. Senior kicker San San Te has had an offseason, making 15 of his 24 field-goal tries. Te has made six of seven attempts against Army in his career. Edge: Rutgers
