Rutgers...the birthplace of college football 2012

[cthomer5000]

2012 National Championship

Texas won the toss and elected to receive. We kickoff, and Texas returns it to their own 27 yardline. The Longhorns opened with a 7 yard gain on a run, and then a 10 yard pass completion. 3 more plays had them pushing our defense around; another 7 yard run, a 2 yard run, and a 19 yard completion. A roughing the passer penalty also helped move things along, and the Longhorns were soon in the endzone on a 3 yard touchdown pass. Making it look easy, it was 7-0 Texas.

Our offense came out running. RB Claude Altenburger, back from his shoulder injury, gained 4 yards on first down. Altenburger was hit for a 2 yard loss on 2nd down, but RB Jon Burton would break for 14 yards on 3rd to give us a fresh set. A 24 yard screen pass to RB Claude Altenburger would get us moving again, but 3 penalties (2 false starts, 1 holding) from the Texas 20 would back us up and force us to punt. We had blown a scoring opportunity with our nervousness and inexperience. I can't say I blame the guys for being a bit shakey, but stupid mistakes like these could cost us...

After two sizable Texas passes (22 and 11 yards), our run defense got in their face and stopped them in their tracks. Coming up big on 3rd down, DE Marvin Baumhackl came up with a sack. Texas would punt to our 24 yardline.

2 Claude Altenburger runs would gain 6 yards, and run out the first quarter. A pass to RB/WR Jon Burton gave us 11 yards and a new set of downs on the first play of the 2nd quarter. A 21 pass to WR B.J. Durham was next, and we turned to the passing game a bit more. After an incomplete pass, Seth Duffy would find WR Dan Patrick for a 32 yard gain. 2 plays later he hit TE Eddie Buckner for the equalizing touchdown! 7-7 early in the second quarter.

Texas took over at their 17 yardline on the kickoff. Two mind-numbingly stupid penalties were called on us on back-to-back plays, an unnecssary roughness penalty, and illegal contact with the reciever. This rushed Texas up to their 42 yardline. Our run defense came up big though, and forced Texas to punt. Just when I felt relieved, someone would of course ruin it with something inexplicable - an illegal block on the punt return would back us up all the way to our 5.

Starting from our 5, nerves were a bit shakey. They became worse when WR Kirk Cassidy was whistled for illegal motion, backing us up 2 more yards. RB Jon Burton gave us some breathing room with a 13 yard run on the very next play. Just when we thought we'd gotten away from our endzone, a holding penalty backed us up again. Only 2 Seth Duffy passes would give us some more room, a 1 yard completion to Claude Altenburger, and a 10 yard pass to Dan Patrick.

Next We next called our favorite and most successfuly play this year, the deep post. WR B.J. Durham shook his man and was wide open! Seth Duffy launched up the ball and Durham made a fingertip grab in full stride - he took the ball 81 yards for the touchdown! It was 14-7 Scarlet Knights!

Kicker Vinny Ballard again sent the ball deep, and Texas took over at their 27 yard line after a decent return. Our run defense held tight on three consecutive plays, holding them to 1 yard, then 2 yards, then pushing them back 3. Texas punted and we took over at their 44 after a nice return by Jon Burton.

RB Claude Altenburger found some room to move on first down, and swept right for 11 yards. QB Seth Duffy came back to the pass and drilled WR Dan Patrick for a 31 yard gain! RB Jon Burton plunged in from 2 yards and we had a 21-7 lead!

We forced Texas 3-and-out and appeared to be really seizing momentum. With under 2 minutes to go we started at our own 17 yardline. We hoped to score again before the half, but probably should have played it safe. A wobbly pass from QB Seth Duffy was interecepted at our 32 yardline, giving Texas a real chance to score before the half. A 31 yard completion on the next play confirmed my worst fears, and a 2 yard pass would bring the game to 21-14 at the half.

While frustrated at letting up the last TD, I had to look at the big picture, We were winning at the half of the National Championship! Somebody pinch me!


---2nd half---

We received the second half kickoff and brought it out to our 27 yardline. An offensive holding call was a poor way to start the second half, and a reminder of the penalty problems we'd had all game long. 3 consecutive runs would leave us 3 yards short of the first down. We punted to the Texas 40 yardline.

The poor beginning to the half got much worse quickly. After an incomple pass, Texas ran off the following plays: 21 yard completion, 13 yard completion, 18 yard completion, 1 yard run, 1 yard run for touchdown. Just 5 minutes into the second half, the score was now knotted at 21-21. ugh.

Now tied at 21, we recieved the kickoff at our 24 yardline. QB SethDuffy hit TE Eddie Buckner for a 24 yard gain to get us near midfield quickly. RB Clauge Altneburger picked up 1 yard, then RB Jon Burton got the other 9 for the first down. Altenburger would gain another 12 a play after an incomplete pass. QB Seth Duffy hit WR Dan Patrick for 12 yards, moving us to the 23. A defensive holding call moved us to the 13, and then Duffy found WR B.J. DUrham in the endzone.. touchdown RUtgers! It was 28-21 with 6 minutes remaining in the 3rd quarter.

A short kickoff allowed Texas a nice return to their own 43 yardline. A 23 yard pass quickly put them on our side of the field, and bordering on scoring territory. While their running game was hot and cold, Texas' passing seemed to bail them out when needed. 2 times they would convert on 3rd down, the second time for an 11 yard touchdown. With 2 minutes left in the 3rd quarter, the score was 28-28. This was becoming quite a game. quite a stressful game, pass the pepto.


We received the next kickoff at our own 39. A 25 yard pass to WR Welsey Kay moved us to the Texas 36, where our offense would completely stall. To compound the bad play of the offense, our offensive coordinator decided to go for it on 4th down. We were hit for a 3 yard loss, and gave the Longhorns excellent field position at their own 40 yardline.

Texas could see the opportunity to take the lead ahead of them, and really didn't waste much time. They ran on 3 consecutive plays, gaining 11 yards and moving them past midfield. An 11 yard pass moved them to our 38, and a 14 yard pass moved them closer. A 17 yard completion on 3rd and 7 moved them 2 our 5, where two run plays put them in the endzone. Texas now lead 35-28 with 9 minutes remianing. shit!

Receiving at our 21 yardline, we felt we had to make something happen. A 19 yard completion to Claude Altenburger was a start - but we did little else. 2 incomplete passes and a stuffed run forced us to punt. Texas took over again in relatively good field position, their 34 yard line.

At this point I was really fearing they could put the nail in the coffin... Instead we jumped right back into it! On the first play of the drive, an underthrown ball on an 'out' pattern was picked off by CB Reuben Turner, and he took it 50 yards and tied the game!! It was now 35-35 with 7 minutes remaining. whee!

My temporary elation was flattened by a lousy Vinny Ballard kickoff, Texas took over at their 47 yardline and already had us sweating. A 13 yard completion immedialty put them on our side of the field, and the pressure was right back on our shoulders. Perhaps trying to catch us off-guard Texas' QB Wayne Martinson dropped back and fired a pass deep to the left side. A jump ball ensued at the 5 yard line ... and Safety Vince Alston came up with it! Alston was wrapped up... but wait, no! Alston broke loose from the grip of the wide receiver, and was running! Moving laterally towards the other sideline, he dodge a few tackles and turned upfield! He outran the offensive lineman, and no one had a chance at catching him! A 95 yard interception return for a touchdown!!!! We were now up 42-35 with just 5 minutes to go!

We kicked off to Texas, and they took the touchback. A quick 17 yard completion had their offense juiced. 2 more runs gave them another 12 yards and another first down at their own 49. Only gaining 5 yards on the next 2 plays, they dropped back to pass on 3rd down - incomplete! Rather than going for it on 4th and 5, Texas played it strangely conserative and punted. Their kicker boomed it, but got an unlucky bounce that took it too far. touchback.

We took over at our own 20 with just 3:31 remaining. One solid drive would kill the clock, and make the Rutgers Scarlet Knights improbably national champions. Much like he had all season, RB Claude Altenburger churned for 6 yards on first down. RB Jon Burton was hit for a loss of 2 on second, setting up a tough 3rd and 6. Deciding it made more sense to play for the first down than run out the clock, we opted to pass. QB Seth Duffy rolled out and found TE Eddie Buckner for 11 yards and a first down! We were at our 25 yardline, and Texas called their first timeout.

RB Claude Altenburger plowed for 8 yards, timeout Texas! Altenburger ground out 13 more - Texas took their final timeout!

QB Seth Duffy hit WR Wesley Kay for 9 yards next. One more first down would do it, just one more yard. RB Claude Altenburger took the second down handoff and dove for 3 yards! No flags on the field! We knelt on the ball and the clock expired!

We partied deep into the San Diego (and then Tiujana, Mexico) night! U-N-B-E-L-I-E-V-A-B-L-E.


Final Score: Rutgers 42, Texas 35
MVP: Safety Vince Alston


for those who are interested, the box score.

1Q: 10:32 TEXS - Louie Santana 3 pass from Wayne Martinson.
1Q: 10:32 TEXS - Joey Shields extra point.
2Q: 13:25 RUTG - Eddie Buckner 5 pass from Seth Duffy.
2Q: 13:25 RUTG - Vinny Ballard extra point.
2Q: 08:38 RUTG - B.J. Durham 81 pass from Seth Duffy.
2Q: 08:38 RUTG - Vinny Ballard extra point.
2Q: 04:49 RUTG - Jon Burton 2 run.
2Q: 04:49 RUTG - Vinny Ballard extra point.
2Q: 00:36 TEXS - Wayne Martinson 2 run.
2Q: 00:36 TEXS - Joey Shields extra point.
3Q: 09:33 TEXS - Wayne Martinson 1 run.
3Q: 09:33 TEXS - Joey Shields extra point.
3Q: 06:07 RUTG - B.J. Durham 13 pass from Seth Duffy.
3Q: 06:07 RUTG - Vinny Ballard extra point.
3Q: 02:01 TEXS - Brant Kwiecinski 11 pass from Wayne Martinson.
3Q: 02:01 TEXS - Joey Shields extra point.
4Q: 09:27 TEXS - R.J. Unsbee 5 run.
4Q: 09:27 TEXS - Joey Shields extra point.
4Q: 06:52 RUTG - Reuben Turner 50 interception return.
4Q: 06:52 RUTG - Vinny Ballard extra point.
4Q: 05:32 RUTG - Vince Alston 95 interception return.
4Q: 05:32 RUTG - Vinny Ballard extra point.

Game MVP: RUTG 38 Vince Alston

Texas	7	7	14	7	-	35
Rutgers	0	21	7	14	-	42

Team Statistics		TEXS		RUTG

First Downs		27		23

Total Rushes		33		33
Net Rushing Yards		51		113
Yards Per Carry		1.5		3.4
Rushing Yards		72		140
Tckld Loss/Yards		7-16		9-22
Sacked/Yards Lost		1-5		1-5

Pass Attempts		33		28
Completions		21		17
Passing Yards		292		337
Yards Per Attempt		8.8		12.0
Interceptions		2		1
Fumbles/Lost		0/0		0/0

Total Plays		66		61
Total Yards		343		450
Yards Per Play		5.1		7.3

3rd Down Plays		6/11		7/12

Penalties		2		13
Penalty Yards		15		110

Avg. Drive Start		OWN 36		OWN 25
Time Of Possession		30:53		29:07

Texas Individual Statistics

Rushing		Att	Yards	Avg	Long	TD	Stufd	Sackd
8 Martinson		15	25	1.6	8	2	3	1
40 Unsbee		7	15	2.1	5	1	2	0
25 Donaldson		5	6	1.2	6	0	2	0
33 Kwiecinski		4	-4	-1.0	4	0	2	0
86 Caruthers		1	7	7.0	7	0	0	0
20 Meier		1	2	2.0	2	0	0	0

Passing		Att	Comp	Yards	Yd/Att	Long	TD	Int
8 Martinson		33	21	292	8.8	31	2	2

Receiving		Catch	Yards	Avg	YAC	Long	TD
86 Caruthers		7	106	15.1	49	22	0
84 Santana		6	83	13.8	42	31	1
40 Unsbee		4	45	11.2	18	23	0
33 Kwiecinski		3	41	13.6	30	17	1
25 Donaldson		1	17	17.0	6	17	0

Punt Returns		Att	Yards	Avg	TD
39 Marlin		1	14	14.0	0

Kick Returns		Att	Yards	Avg	TD
32 Zeier		4	131	32.7	0
1 Tuinei		2	59	29.5	0

Punting		Punts	Yards	Avg	Long	In20
17 Lucas		5	179	35.8	49	2

Kicking		FG	FGA	Long	PAT	Att
18 Shields		0	0	0	5	5

Defense		Tackle	Assist	Sack	Int	IntYds	IntTD
45 Money		11	2	0.0	1	0	0
41 Protokowicz		5	4	0.0	0	0	0
78 Abraham		5	1	0.0	0	0	0
59 Fitzgerald		4	1	0.0	0	0	0
98 Tomczak		3	2	1.0	0	0	0
48 Welch		3	2	0.0	0	0	0
43 Perry		3	2	0.0	0	0	0
39 Marlin		3	0	0.0	0	0	0
70 Marion		2	1	0.0	0	0	0
38 Nordby		2	0	0.0	0	0	0
42 Gaylor		2	0	0.0	0	0	0
93 Berdys		2	0	0.0	0	0	0
32 Zeier		2	0	0.0	0	0	0
31 Fleming		1	0	0.0	0	0	0
84 Santana		1	0	0.0	0	0	0
21 Jarrett		1	0	0.0	0	0	0
33 Kwiecinski		1	0	0.0	0	0	0
46 Stuber		1	0	0.0	0	0	0
96 Raphael		0	1	0.0	0	0	0

Miscellaneous		Fumb	FForc	Recov	MiscTD	KeyRBlk	SckAlwd
68 Price		0	0	0	0	3	0
61 Chellgren		0	0	0	0	3	0
62 Gillespie		0	0	0	0	1	1
84 Santana		0	0	0	0	1	0

Player		Stokes Awarded
8 Wayne Martinson		8
70 Rickey Marion		4
33 Brant Kwiecinski		4
86 Scottie Caruthers		3
84 Louie Santana		2
45 Britt Money		2
32 Jerry Zeier		2
25 Stephen Donaldson		1
40 R.J. Unsbee		1
96 Arnold Raphael		1
61 Edgar Chellgren		1
59 Adam Fitzgerald		1
20 Jamal Meier		1

Rutgers Individual Statistics

Rushing		Att	Yards	Avg	Long	TD	Stufd	Sackd
21 Altenburger		22	64	2.9	13	0	7	0
41 Burton		7	45	6.4	14	1	1	0
7 Duffy		4	4	1.0	6	0	1	1

Passing		Att	Comp	Yards	Yd/Att	Long	TD	Int
7 Duffy		28	17	337	12.0	81	3	1

Receiving		Catch	Yards	Avg	YAC	Long	TD
8 Patrick		4	85	21.2	46	32	0
21 Altenburger		3	44	14.6	27	24	0
82 Buckner		3	35	11.6	18	19	1
83 Durham		3	115	38.3	43	81	2
41 Burton		2	24	12.0	7	13	0
9 Kay		2	34	17.0	5	25	0

Punt Returns		Att	Yards	Avg	TD
41 Burton		1	16	16.0	0

Kick Returns		Att	Yards	Avg	TD
41 Burton		5	104	20.8	0

Punting		Punts	Yards	Avg	Long	In20
10 Albo		3	98	32.6	40	1

Kicking		FG	FGA	Long	PAT	Att
11 Ballard		0	0	0	6	6

Defense		Tackle	Assist	Sack	Int	IntYds	IntTD
38 Alston		9	2	0.0	1	95	1
48 Krakowski		7	3	0.0	0	0	0
66 Moore		5	3	0.0	0	0	0
35 Schulz		5	2	0.0	0	0	0
56 Giles		5	1	0.0	0	0	0
57 Hungate		5	1	0.0	0	0	0
46 Massey		5	0	0.0	0	0	0
75 Baumhackl		3	1	1.0	0	0	0
34 Turner		3	3	0.0	1	50	1
85 Maloney		2	0	0.0	0	0	0
96 Aviles		2	0	0.0	0	0	0
94 Padilla		1	3	0.0	0	0	0
86 Fleming		1	0	0.0	0	0	0
21 Altenburger		1	0	0.0	0	0	0
82 Buckner		1	0	0.0	0	0	0
83 Durham		1	0	0.0	0	0	0

Miscellaneous		Fumb	FForc	Recov	MiscTD	KeyRBlk	SckAlwd
74 Pierce		0	0	0	0	1	1
77 Woods		0	0	0	0	5	0
61 Gourdine		0	0	0	0	3	0
50 Dotson		0	0	0	0	1	0
63 Perkins		0	0	0	0	1	0

Player		Stokes Awarded
21 Claude Altenburger		8
7 Seth Duffy		5
41 Jon Burton		5
75 Marvin Baumhackl		2
57 Sherman Hungate		2
38 Vince Alston		2
35 Van Schulz		2
71 Earnest Garrison		1
48 Bucky Krakowski		1
82 Eddie Buckner		1
66 Darrell Moore		1
34 Reuben Turner		1

Texas Drive Chart

	Quar	Began	Poss	From		Plays	Yards	Result
	1	15:00	4:28	OWN 27		9	58	Touchdown
	1	4:15	2:18	OWN 19		6	29	Punt
	2	13:25	2:37	OWN 17		4	5	Punt
	2	8:38	2:26	OWN 27		3	0	Punt
	2	4:49	2:12	OPP 46		3	0	Punt
	2	1:22	0:46	OPP 32		3	32	Touchdown
	3	12:48	3:15	OWN 40		7	60	Touchdown
	3	6:07	4:06	OWN 43		10	57	Touchdown
	4	14:49	5:22	OWN 40		11	55	Touchdown
	4	7:03	0:11	OWN 34		1	0	Interception
	4	6:52	1:20	OWN 47		3	13	Interception
	4	5:32	2:01	OWN 20		6	34	Punt

Rutgers Drive Chart

	Quar	Began	Poss	From		Plays	Yards	Result
	1	10:32	6:17	OWN 28		12	46	Punt
	1	1:57	3:32	OWN 24		8	76	Touchdown
	2	10:48	2:10	OWN 5		4	105	Touchdown
	2	6:12	1:23	OPP 44		3	44	Touchdown
	2	2:37	1:15	OWN 17		3	7	Interception
	2	0:36	0:36	OWN 23		2	7	Half
	3	15:00	2:12	OWN 27		3	17	Punt
	3	9:33	3:26	OWN 24		7	66	Touchdown
	3	2:01	2:12	OWN 39		5	21	Downs
	4	9:27	2:24	OWN 21		5	14	Punt
	4	3:31	3:31	OWN 20		9	47	Game

Texas Red Zone Profile

		Visits	TDs	FGs
		5	5	0

Rutgers Red Zone Profile

		Visits	TDs	FGs
		3	3	0

Texas Rushing Breakdown


Direction		Rush	Yards	Ave
LE		6	0	0.0
LT		7	9	1.2
LG		4	10	2.5
C		7	13	1.8
RG		2	7	3.5
RT		4	7	1.7
RE		2	10	5.0
None		1	-5	-5.0

Run Blocking		KeyBlks	BlkOpps	RunPlays
68 Price		3	10	32
61 Chellgren		3	7	32
62 Gillespie		1	6	32
84 Santana		1	2	32
52 Sledge		0	4	32
75 Derricott		0	3	32
25 Donaldson		0	0	27
20 Meier		0	0	5

Texas Passing Breakdown


Distance		Pass	Comp	Yards	Ave
Screen		4	2	16	4.0
1-10 Yds		18	16	223	12.3
11-20 Yds		8	2	22	2.7
21-30 Yds		1	1	31	31.0
31+ Yds		2	0	0	0.0

Passing		Attempt	Comp	BdThrw	Dropd	Defnsd	Blockd	Hurried	Intrcpt
8 Martinson		33	21	0	2	4	0	4	2

Receiving		Target	Caught	Dropd	Yards	PassPlay
84 Santana		10	6	0	83	33
86 Caruthers		10	7	1	106	33
40 Unsbee		6	4	0	45	33
33 Kwiecinski		6	3	1	41	33
25 Donaldson		1	1	0	17	29

PassBlock		SckAlwd	PassPlay
62 Gillespie		1		33
68 Price		0		33
61 Chellgren		0		33
75 Derricott		0		33
52 Sledge		0		33
25 Donaldson		0		29
20 Meier		0		4

Pass Rush		Sacks	PsBlks	Hurries	PassPlay
98 Tomczak		1.0	0	1	28
70 Marion		0.0	0	4	28
45 Money		0.0	0	0	28
39 Marlin		0.0	0	0	28
32 Zeier		0.0	0	0	28
41 Protokowicz		0.0	0	0	28
43 Perry		0.0	0	0	28
96 Raphael		0.0	0	1	17
78 Abraham		0.0	0	0	26
38 Nordby		0.0	0	0	14
93 Berdys		0.0	0	0	14
48 Welch		0.0	0	0	14
59 Fitzgerald		0.0	0	0	14
21 Jarrett		0.0	0	0	8
56 Duffy		0.0	0	0	3
90 Briggs		0.0	0	0	2

Pass Defense		Caught	Defnsd	Intrcpt	PassPlay
45 Money		6	1	1	28
32 Zeier		3	2	0	28
41 Protokowicz		3	0	0	28
43 Perry		2	0	0	28
39 Marlin		1	0	0	28
38 Nordby		1	0	0	14
21 Jarrett		1	0	0	8
70 Marion		0	0	0	28
98 Tomczak		0	0	0	28
78 Abraham		0	0	0	26
96 Raphael		0	0	0	17
93 Berdys		0	0	0	14
48 Welch		0	0	0	14
59 Fitzgerald		0	0	0	14
56 Duffy		0	0	0	3
90 Briggs		0	0	0	2

Defense		Tackles	Assists	TFLoss	RunPlay	PassPlay
45 Money		11	0	1	30	28
78 Abraham		5	0	3	27	26
41 Protokowicz		5	0	1	30	28
59 Fitzgerald		4	0	1	21	14
43 Perry		3	0	1	30	28
98 Tomczak		3	0	1	29	28
39 Marlin		3	0	0	30	28
48 Welch		3	0	1	21	14
70 Marion		2	0	1	30	28
32 Zeier		2	0	0	30	28
93 Berdys		2	0	0	12	14
38 Nordby		2	0	0	9	14
42 Gaylor		2	0	0	0	0
21 Jarrett		1	0	0	4	8
96 Raphael		0	0	0	21	17
56 Duffy		0	0	0	5	3
90 Briggs		0	0	0	0	2
92 Turner		0	0	0	1	0

Rutgers Rushing Breakdown


Direction		Rush	Yards	Ave
LE		2	9	4.5
LT		3	-7	-2.3
LG		3	2	0.6
C		13	38	2.9
RG		3	21	7.0
RT		4	33	8.2
RE		3	23	7.6
None		2	-6	-3.0

Run Blocking		KeyBlks	BlkOpps	RunPlays
77 Woods		5	8	30
61 Gourdine		3	7	30
50 Dotson		1	7	30
74 Pierce		1	4	30
63 Perkins		1	1	30
82 Buckner		0	2	28
85 Maloney		0	0	3
25 Corley		0	0	1

Rutgers Passing Breakdown


Distance		Pass	Comp	Yards	Ave
Screen		2	1	1	0.5
1-10 Yds		11	8	171	15.5
11-20 Yds		11	7	152	13.8
21-30 Yds		2	1	13	6.5
31+ Yds		2	0	0	0.0

Passing		Attempt	Comp	BdThrw	Dropd	Defnsd	Blockd	Hurried	Intrcpt
7 Duffy		28	17	0	0	3	0	6	1

Receiving		Target	Caught	Dropd	Yards	PassPlay
82 Buckner		6	3	0	35	15
41 Burton		5	2	0	24	22
8 Patrick		5	4	0	85	21
83 Durham		5	3	0	115	25
21 Altenburger		3	3	0	44	17
9 Kay		3	2	0	34	21
85 Maloney		1	0	0	0	8

PassBlock		SckAlwd	PassPlay
50 Dotson		0		28
63 Perkins		0		28
61 Gourdine		0		28
77 Woods		0		28
74 Pierce		1		28

Pass Rush		Sacks	PsBlks	Hurries	PassPlay
75 Baumhackl		1.0	0	1	33
94 Padilla		0.0	0	2	33
56 Giles		0.0	0	0	33
57 Hungate		0.0	0	0	33
38 Alston		0.0	0	0	33
48 Krakowski		0.0	0	0	33
35 Schulz		0.0	0	0	33
34 Turner		0.0	0	0	33
46 Massey		0.0	0	0	33
66 Moore		0.0	0	0	31
71 Garrison		0.0	0	1	16
96 Aviles		0.0	0	0	17
53 Huffman		0.0	0	0	2

Pass Defense		Caught	Defnsd	Intrcpt	PassPlay
46 Massey		5	0	0	33
66 Moore		4	1	0	31
38 Alston		3	1	1	33
57 Hungate		3	1	0	33
35 Schulz		2	1	0	33
48 Krakowski		2	0	0	33
34 Turner		1	0	1	33
56 Giles		1	0	0	33
75 Baumhackl		0	0	0	33
94 Padilla		0	0	0	33
96 Aviles		0	0	0	17
71 Garrison		0	0	0	16
53 Huffman		0	0	0	2

Defense		Tackles	Assists	TFLoss	RunPlay	PassPlay
38 Alston		9	0	1	32	33
48 Krakowski		7	0	1	32	33
56 Giles		5	0	1	32	33
57 Hungate		5	0	1	32	33
35 Schulz		5	0	1	32	33
46 Massey		5	0	1	32	33
66 Moore		5	0	0	31	31
75 Baumhackl		3	0	1	32	33
34 Turner		3	0	0	32	33
96 Aviles		2	0	1	24	17
94 Padilla		1	0	0	32	33
71 Garrison		0	0	0	8	16
53 Huffman		0	0	0	1	2

[cthomer5000]

End-of-Season Polls

   
School                  Record  Conf  Comp  Poll  Loss  Sched Total Rank
Rutgers                 12-0    EST   1.00  3.00  0.00  0.16  4.16  1
Ohio State              11-1    B10   3.00  2.00  1.00  1.52  7.52  2
Texas                   12-1    B12   3.75  1.00  1.00  2.52  8.27  3
Syracuse                11-1    EST   2.00  4.50  1.00  1.08  8.58  4
Rice                    11-1    WAC   12.00 4.50  1.00  4.40  21.90 5
New Mexico              10-2    MWS   8.75  9.00  2.00  2.16  21.91 6
Michigan                9-3     B10   7.50  11.50 3.00  0.24  22.24 7
Washington              9-3     PAC   7.00  12.50 3.00  0.60  23.10 8
Northwestern            11-1    B10   10.75 8.00  1.00  3.96  23.71 9
Florida                 10-2    SEC   11.75 6.00  2.00  4.16  23.91 10
Mililani Town           11-1    VOL   12.25 8.00  1.00  3.60  24.85 11
Arizona                 10-2    PAC   11.50 11.50 2.00  2.24  27.24 12
Stanford                9-3     PAC   12.25 9.50  3.00  3.12  27.87 13
Nevada-Las Vegas        10-2    MWS   14.50 16.50 2.00  2.72  35.72 14
Miami of Ohio           10-3    MAC   14.25 18.00 3.00  1.60  36.85 15
Virginia Tech           8-4     EST   13.25 22.00 4.00  0.32  39.57 16
Boston College          8-4     EST   16.75 21.00 4.00  0.72  42.47 17
Mississippi             10-3    SEC   10.25 28.50 3.00  1.00  42.75 18
Maryland                9-3     ACC   21.25 18.50 3.00  4.00  46.75 19
Arkansas                9-3     SEC   12.75 30.00 3.00  1.64  47.39 20
South Florida           9-3     IND   23.50 17.50 3.00  4.20  48.20 21
Texas A&M               9-3     B12   23.00 21.00 3.00  2.60  49.60 22
Georgia Tech            9-3     ACC   23.75 22.50 3.00  2.64  51.89 23
Central Florida         9-3     MAC   29.00 15.50 3.00  4.60  52.10 24
Hawaii                  10-2    WAC   24.25 22.50 2.00  4.84  53.59 25      
Cincinnati              10-2    USA   36.25 14.00 2.00  4.76  57.01 26
------------------------------------------------------------------------
West Virginia           8-4     EST   14.25 49.50 4.00  0.28  68.03 31
Miami of Florida        5-6     EST   44.00 60.00 6.00  0.56  110.6 53
Pittsburgh              4-7     EST   45.75 79.00 7.00  0.04  131.8 62
Princeton               1-10    EST   102.25120.0010.00 0.12  232.4 112


$$ = Team on probation, ineligible for post-season play
Comp = Computer Ratings
Poll = Voter Polls
Loss = Number of Losses
Sched = Strength of Schedule
Rank = Final Ranking

Despite beating super-mega-ultra-power Texas, and going 12-0 with the 4th toughest schedule in college football (head and shoulders above anyone else in the top 25 I might add), the voters apparently still don't feel we are the best team in the nation. In fact, they still think Texas is the #1 team, with Ohio State and us following. At least we've got something left to gun for. Texas can enjoy the voters attention while we polish our national title trophy.

The Big East was ridiculous this year. Syracuse, Virginia Tech, and Boston College all finished in the top 20 with us, and Va Tech and Syracuse were both legitemate national title contenders until the Scarlet Knights bounced them. Miami is really losing it's grip on respectability, West Virginia and Pitt contine to have up and down years, and Princeton is pretty much locked in the basement at this point.

[Hijinx]

Awesome! congradulations are in order. Fantastic game.

And once again, defense wins championships.

[ShagVT]

Outstanding! I can't believe somebody finally won a national championship in one of these dynasties. After reading so many years of the Village Challenge, I was really buying into the theory of the Mythical National Championship.

Well done bringing the hardware home!

[Alf]

Congratulations. I am still amazed since you have a very restricted recruiting area ! Go Scarlet Knights !

ShagVT, I think Crappy did win a National Championship with his Army dynasty (need to check that)

[fantastic flying froggies]

WOW !

[cthomer5000]

thanks for the thanks. I really did not see this coming at the beginning of the season, but now that I examine the team I realize I have no glaring weakness, yet a few strengths. I can't wait to gear up for a title defense!

[cthomer5000]

2012 Statistical Summary

Code:

Accomplishments: Big East Champion, National Champion
Record: 12-0
Rank: 3 in voters polls
      1 in computer rank
      1 in overall BCS
   
Rutgers                 Team      Rank  
Rushes                  437       37          
Rushing Yards           1881      29          
Yards Per Carry         4.30      18          
Pass Attempts           359       37          
Completions             222       20          
Passing Yards           3414       7           
Yards Per Attempt       9.50       7           
3rd Down Conversions    39.1      29 (T)      
Points Per Game         37.1       6           
Turnovers               22        72 (T)      
Turnover Margin         +9        21 (T)      
   
Opponents               Team      Rank  
Rushes                  375       27          
Rushing Yards           916       10          
Yards Per Carry         2.44       8 (T)       
Pass Attempts           380       115         
Completions             188       85 (T)      
Passing Yards           2412      72          
Yards Per Attempt       6.34      26          
3rd Down Conversions    30.6      28 (T)      
Points Per Game         16.5      15 (T)      
Turnovers               31         5 (T) 
   
Primary Formation: Single-Back Formation
   
Week  Team  Versus        Oppnt  
2     19    at INDI (71)  14      
3     45    at CONN (40)  17      
4     44    FLST (61)     13      
5     35    WVIR (49)     11      
6     38    at BRIG (33)  9       
7     48    at PITT (77)  14      
9     48    BOST (21)     38      
10    34    MIAF (63)     14      
11    21    at VATC (20)  17      
12    44    PRIN (120)    6       
13    28    at SYRA (5)   10      
20    42    vs TEXS (1)   35      
   
Passing             Pos   Att   Comp  Yards Y/Att TD    Int  
7 Duffy             QB    355   220   3389  9.54  27    16      
Team                ---   359   222   3414  9.50  27    16      
   
Rushing             Pos   Att   Yards Y/Att TD    Stff  YdLst  
21 Altenburger      RB    179   1001  5.59  15    43    84      
41 Burton           RB    121   528   4.36  6     28    40      
7 Duffy             QB    106   185   1.74  5     40    207     
Team                ---   437   1881  4.30  27    118   345     
   
Receiving           Pos   Targ  Catch Yards Y/Ctc YAC   TD  
9 Kay               WR    79    47    718   15.2  260   4       
83 Durham           WR    71    43    1017  23.6  404   12      
41 Burton           RB    57    37    384   10.3  259   3       
8 Patrick           WR    57    34    526   15.4  166   1       
21 Altenburger      RB    33    22    270   12.2  168   2       
82 Buckner          TE    29    20    301   15.0  198   4       
30 Schulz           RB    12    7     36    5.1   31    0       
Team                ---   359   222   3414  15.3  1540  27      
   
Defense             Pos   Tack  Asst  Sack  TFL   Ints  Defn  
35 Schulz           S     76    23    0.0   9     9     9       
38 Alston           S     62    18    0.0   10    5     10      
54 Torres           ILB   57    15    1.0   11    1     5       
48 Krakowski        ILB   54    24    0.0   15    1     7       
57 Hungate          OLB   43    11    0.0   9     1     3       
75 Baumhackl        DE    37    15    8.5   15    0     0       
46 Massey           CB    37    12    0.0   7     2     7       
94 Padilla          DT    31    20    10.5  14    0     0       
34 Turner           CB    28    17    0.0   4     3     11      
44 Carney           OLB   21    5     0.0   7     0     4       
59 Hoover           DT    20    6     1.0   5     0     0
20 Heuvicq          CB    18    10    1.5   2     1     3
66 Moore            ILB   14    9     1.5   4     1     1
Team                ---   618   204   34.0  134   24    64

When you win the national title, there are a lot of good things to say.

• Our rushing game broke school records in carries, yards, and average
• Our completion percentage (62%) is a new school record
• Passing yards-per-attempt (9.5) is a new school record
• points-per-game rose 6.1 to 37.1 ppg this year, second best in school history
• rushing touchdowns jumped way up, from 16 to 27 (a new school best)
• we held opponents to 6.34 yards per passing attempt (new school record)

Criticisms
While this might be largely nit-picking, some of it is worth noting.

• We threw more interceptions, and turned the ball over more than last season.
• Our 34 sacks were the lowest since 2004.

The team became well-rounded on offense this year, adding our best running attack ever to an already solid passing game. Defensively we're feeling the loss of depth on the defensive line, we need some new blood there. Still winning it all gives you less to complain about, especially when we should be returning 15 of 22 starters.

[tucker342]

Wow great win

Congrats

[ShagVT]

I think next season you need to add Virginia to the recruiting trails - start pilfering recruiting from the Evil Empire of Blacksburg (Bu-wa-ha-ha-ha-ha!)

[cthomer5000]

Originally posted by ShagVT
I think next season you need to add Virginia to the recruiting trails - start pilfering recruiting from the Evil Empire of Blacksburg (Bu-wa-ha-ha-ha-ha!)

they're definitely very high on my list. I'm thinking I'll change my house rules to something like this:

• make a bowl game, add 1 state
• win the Big East, add 2 states
• win championship, add 3 states

Those things wouldn't stack on each other, so the max you could add would be three states. I think this is a more realistic effect. The better you do annually, the more national an image you start to project. After winning a national title, I think I should be able to add more than just Rhode Island.

[ShagVT]

Well, you could just add the entire BE footprint (VA, WV, FL) to reward yourself...

[scooper]

Awesome! Congratulations!

[cthomer5000]

Recruiting Wrap-up

7 top 100 recruits, another 2 in the top 300, 2 more in the top 1000. Our best recruiting class yet?[code]

	
	

Recruiting List, Ranking View
   
Player                  Pos   HT   WT   ST   NRank ByPos  StRank ByPos
Houshmandzadeh, Ricky   QB    6-3  202  PA   18    4      2      1        
Bernard, Winfred        DE    6-5  253  NJ   27    8      3      1        
Nykolaiszyn, Todd       CB    5-10 175  PA   29    3      3      1        
Owens, Cris             G     6-5  276  NY   34    2      2      1        
Barnes, Lee             DT    6-3  265  DE   39    4      1      1        
Cerda, Doug             OLB   6-2  225  PA   46    3      5      2        
Stoughton, Ralph        T     6-4  272  PA   92    9      7      1        
Weydahl, Juan           RB    5-9  184  PA   112   11     9      1        
Cushenbery, D.J.        S     5-10 185  NJ   273   12     10     1        
Hatcher, Jimmie         WR    5-11 175  NJ   564   43     17     1        
Lynch, Cornell          ILB   6-1  213  MA   582   36     6      1        
Bronson, Karl           OLB   5-11 192  PA   ---   82     58     4        
Hutchins, Victor        P     6-1  193  NY   ---   66     ---    5        
Wilkerson, Gary         RB    5-10 174  NY   ---   ---    ---    13       
Lyon, Cornell           FB    5-9  195  NJ   ---   ---    80     1        
Wilkens, Adam           ILB   6-2  224  DE   ---   ---    6      2        
   
Player                  All-St All-US Status
Houshmandzadeh, Ricky   Yes    No     Committed *      
Bernard, Winfred        Yes    No     Committed *      
Nykolaiszyn, Todd       Yes    No     Committed *      
Owens, Cris             Yes    No     Committed *      
Barnes, Lee             Yes    No     Committed *      
Cerda, Doug             Yes    No     Committed *      
Stoughton, Ralph        Yes    No     Committed *      
Weydahl, Juan           Yes    No     Committed *      
Cushenbery, D.J.        Yes    No     Committed *      
Hatcher, Jimmie         Yes    No     Committed *      
Lynch, Cornell          Yes    No     Committed *      
Bronson, Karl           No     No     Committed *      
Hutchins, Victor        No     No     Committed *      
Wilkerson, Gary         No     No     Committed *      
Lyon, Cornell           Yes    No     Committed *      
Wilkens, Adam           Yes    No     Committed *      
   

Recruiting List, Worksheet View
   
Player                  Pos   ST   Visit Cost  Dist.   Fit Score
Barnes, Lee             DT    DE   263         89      86            
Owens, Cris             G     NY   321         227     91            
Bernard, Winfred        DE    NJ   249         47      96            
Nykolaiszyn, Todd       CB    PA   342         305     88            
Stoughton, Ralph        T     PA   320         235     87            
Cerda, Doug             OLB   PA   336         298     93            
Houshmandzadeh, Ricky   QB    PA   250         49      98            
Weydahl, Juan           RB    PA   249         46      97            
Cushenbery, D.J.        S     NJ   242         25      95            
Bronson, Karl           OLB   PA   263         90      84            
Hatcher, Jimmie         WR    NJ   238         14      94            
Lynch, Cornell          ILB   MA   298         194     93            
Hutchins, Victor        P     NY   250         52      85            
Wilkerson, Gary         RB    NY   322         246     89            
Wilkens, Adam           ILB   DE   274         123     91            
Lyon, Cornell           FB    NJ   255         66      91            
   
Player                  Scout   Phone   Visit   Emphasis    Status
Barnes, Lee             94+     2       2       Dist*/Prest Committed *      
Owens, Cris             92+     2       2       Acad*/Dist  Committed *      
Bernard, Winfred        92-     2       2       Acad*/Dist  Committed *      
Nykolaiszyn, Todd       83+     2       2       Dist*/Prest Committed *      
Stoughton, Ralph        78+     2       2       Acad/Dist   Committed *      
Cerda, Doug             78+     2       2       Acad/Dist   Committed *      
Houshmandzadeh, Ricky   75-     2       2       Dist*/Acad  Committed *      
Weydahl, Juan           75+     2       2       Dist/Acad   Committed *      
Cushenbery, D.J.        65+     2       2       Acad/Dist   Committed *      
Bronson, Karl           61+     2       2       Dist*/Acad  Committed *      
Hatcher, Jimmie         58++    2       2       Dist/Acad   Committed *      
Lynch, Cornell          52+     2       2       Acad*/Dist  Committed *      
Hutchins, Victor        42-     2       2       Dist/Acad   Committed *      
Wilkerson, Gary         41+     2       2       Prest/Acad  Committed *      
Wilkens, Adam           38+     2       2       Acad*/Dist  Committed *      
Lyon, Cornell           37+     2       2       Acad/Prest  Committed *

[cthomer5000]

Milestones

Aside from winning the Big East, going undefeated, and winning the National Championship, there are some indivudal accomplishments to acknowledge and celebrate.

• Team Record - Single game
• We racked up 580 total yards against Connecticut, beating our record of 577 vs. Syracuse in 2009

• Individual Record - Single game
• Junior RB Claude Altenburger became the first Rutgers back ever to score 4 rushing touchdowns in one game. He eclipsed records by himself, Malcolm Newton (2004), Jermaine Pierce (2002), Carlton Duncan (2007, 2008), and Ross Lincoln (2008, 2010)

• Team Records - Season
• We averaged 156.7 yards rushing per game, breaking our prior mark of 143.3 from 2002, my innaugural season.
• We averaged 441.2 total yards per game, 27 better than last years record mark of 414.2
• We allowed less yards per game than ever, a mere 277.3, about 6 yards better than last years mark of 283.1

• Individual Records - Season
• RB Claude Altenburger set new records for rushing touchdowns (15) and yards per carry (5.5)
• WR B.J. Durham caught a record number of touchdown passes (12) beating WR Duane Wheeler's record of 11 from 2009.
• Safety Van Schulz caught a team-record 9 interceptions this year, beating the prior record of 7. The former record was held by both Van himself and Steven Brewster (2008).
• RB Claude Altenburger scored a total of 17 touchdowns, 1 more than Ross Lincoln's 2008 record.

• Individual Records - Career
• Safety Van Schulz set both the Rutgers and Big East record for career interceptions with 20. The former Big East record was 19 by Tracy Wilhite of Pitt. The former Rutgers mark was 12 by Kent Sawyer (2004-2007).
• RB Claude Altenburger has already surpassed the Rutgers career record for rushing touchdowns. His current 31 surpassed Ross Lincoln's mark of 27.
• Tackle Kurt Perkins is the new Rutgers career leader in key run blocks. His 113 best the former record of 102 by Raymond Matthews.
• Safety Vince Alston leaves Rutgers with 38 passes defensed, surpassing Cedric Wolfe's mark of 30 (2008-2011).
• RB Claude Altenburger is Rutgers all-time leading touchdown scorer (37). The former record was held by Ross Lincoln, who left last season with 32 touchdowns.

[cthomer5000]

Player Awards
A very nice year overall. A lot of our squad dominates the Big East second team, and a few players received national accliam. Freshman CB Julio Massey was voted the best Freshman CB in the nation, and safety Van Schulz was 2nd team All-American. QB Seth Duffy again was a Heisman finalist, finishing 7th in voting. QB Wayne Martinson of Texas ended up taking home his second Heisman in a row, and was a finalist all four seasons he played.

Big East Academic Team Awards for 2012


Award Player Team
**Wide Receiver B.J. Durham Rutgers
**Offensive Tackle Kurt Perkins Rutgers
**Defensive Tackle Oscar Padilla Rutgers
**Safety Hunter Goode Rutgers


Big East Major Awards for 2012

Award Player Team
**Conference MVP Seth Duffy Rutgers
**Top Offensive Player Seth Duffy Rutgers
**Top Defensive Player Van Schulz Rutgers


Big East First-Team Awards for 2012

Award Player Team
**Quarterback Seth Duffy Rutgers
**Offensive Tackle Dale Gourdine Rutgers
**Safety Van Schulz Rutgers
**Safety Vince Alston Rutgers


Big East Second-Team Awards for 2012

Award Player Team
**Running Back Claude Altenburger Rutgers
**Wide Receiver B.J. Durham Rutgers
**Wide Receiver Wesley Kay Rutgers
**Center Deron Dotson Rutgers
**Offensive Tackle Kurt Perkins Rutgers
**Defensive End Marvin Baumhackl Rutgers
**Defensive Tackle Oscar Padilla Rutgers
**Inside Linebacker Rufus Torres Rutgers
**Outside Linebacker Sherman Hungate Rutgers


League-Wide Awards Freshman Team Awards for 2012

Award Player Team
**Cornerback Julio Massey Rutgers


League-Wide Awards Second-Team Awards for 2012

Award Player Team
**Safety Van Schulz Rutgers

[cthomer5000]

Farewell Graduates!

Get out of here before you make me cry, boys.

T - Kurt Perkins
3.62 GPA in Jurisprudence. A 3 time all-Big East academic selection, and a two-time Big East 2nd team selection. Kurt leaves Rutgers as the all-time leader in key run blocks, and is one of the major reasons our running game has taken such an upswing in the last few years. Started 48 pf 48 games.

S - Vince Alston
3.09 GPA in Calculus. A 3-time all-Big East selection (2 times 1st team), Vince leaves Rutgers as perhaps the greatest safety we've seen yet.He never missed a game due to injury, and his 95 yard touchdown return in the National Championship is the stuff of legends.

DE - Marvin Baumhackl
2.60 GPA in Business. 2008 All-Freshman DE nationally. 2011 and 2012 All-Big East second team. Marvin was ready to play the day he stepped onto campus, and has been a rock at DE 4 of the last 5 years (he missed 2010 with academic issues). He's responsible for 34.5 career sacks.

C - Deron Dotson
2.76 GPA in Education. 2012 Big East second team selection. Deron has been our leader on the offensive line for the last 4 seasons. Starting 48 straight games, he's been the guy who held things together even through personnel changes.

ILB - Rufus Torres
3.68 GPA in Medicine. 2010, 2011 Big East All Academic. 2010 Big East 1st team, 2012 Big East 2nd team. Rufus had his ups and downs, but overall was a pretty solid 3 year starter for us.

OLB - Sherman Hungate
3.60 GPA in Architecture. 2012 Big East 2nd team. A 3 year starter for us, Sherman was never a spectacular run-stopper, but was adequate enough in both run and pass defense to be a solid contributer to an ever-strengthening unit.

DT - Vinny Hoover
3.81 GPA in Medicine. 2010 Big East All-Academic. Largely a story of what might have been, Vinny has had some knee issues the last 2 seasons, missing 10 of his last 22 games here on the banks. Early this year he and Oscar Padilla were a very solid rotation at nose-tackle.

OLB - Otis Giles
3.90 in Statistics. Otis had the misfortune of getting trapped behind what are probably the best inside linebackers in Rutgers history. He could have started for some teams, but only started 2 games here. We thank him for his 16 career tackles.

TE - Dean Maloney
3.34 in Jurisprudence. 2009 Big East All-Academic. A surprisingly capable walk-on, Deon actually started 8 career games, and had a total of 6 catches for 64 yards and 1 touchdown.

QB - Sean Sutton
3.00 in Nursing. A QB prospect who never quite panned out, Sean never started a game for us. On the bright side, he finishes his career with 220 yards passing and 1 touchdown.

DE - Spencer Harrison
3.36 GPA in Calculus. Looking back on Spencer's 2010 season, I can't help but wonder if his 9 sacks were a fluke. He never again broke the starting lineup, and was largely innefective, recording just 4 sacks total in his other 3 seasons combined.

C - Tyrone Morris
3.08 GPA in Political Science. A career backup, plain and simple.

OLB - Dale Tucker
3.68 GPA in Social Work. A career backup who never started and recorded only 8 tackles, all on special teams.

TE - Johnnie Corley
2.97 GPA in Medicine. a walk-on who never caught a single pass.

FB - Robert Fleming
3.34 GPA in Geology. Never really saw the field.

CB - Clay Terry
3.37 GPA in Linguistics. I have absolutely nothing to say about him.

[cthomer5000]

The grades are in...

Here's how Professor Laertes felt we scored:

			Last Year	This Year
Team Performance	92		100
Academics		82		87
Recruiting		61		72
TV Revenue		88		99
Alumni Donations	64		96
Attendence		75		84
-------------------------------------------------
Final Grade 		79		92

Nice, an overall A-. I have nothing but great things to say, as we went up in every single cateogry. Our recruiting class was outstanding, the TV and alumni money was flowing, and we won every game. I'm really looking forward to next year.

[cthomer5000]

That's that!

I hope you gambler's where again laying some good money dear old Rutgers, we went an impressive 9-2-1 against the spread. Just lay down your spring tuition on us next year and you can quit school altogether.

the 2013 season awaits you!