The Scarlet Knights jumped out to a 17-0 halftime lead, and then held on for dear life as UConn stormed back in the third quarter to close to 17-13. UConn was very impressive on run defense, holding the nation's #2 leading back (Ray Rice) to "just" 79 yards on 22 carries and a TD. Rice also was banged up pretty badly in this game, and we'll have to wait and see if he is ready to go when Rutgers plays Louisville in a couple weeks. Rutgers QB Mike Teel continues to struggle when teams stack the box against the run and he must throw to win. The Rutgers D bailed them out in this one, as they came up with two TDs--a FR-returned for a TD, and a BK-returned for a TD.

SCOUTING SUMMARY:

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College: Connecticut Conference: Big East Columnist: Steve Martin
Name # Ht Wt Speed Pos Class Game Notes

Terry Caulley 44 5' 6.5" 185 0.00 HB 2007; DNP. Ankle.

Dan Murray 46 6' 4.5" 253 0.00 TE 2007: Was always out in pass patterns but rarely got thrown too. Little chance to evaluate blocking. GRADE: Nuetral

Rhema Fuller 93 6' 1.0" 280 0.00 DT 2007: By far the best DT UConn has, and one of the top 5 or 6 best in the Big East, but Meekins and Westerman of RU were better tonight. Is a one-gap plugger, with marginal size to get a look at the next level. Plays hard and will get a "positive" from me for his game performance, but only a "slightly negative" as far as a scouting grade v.v. the next level.

Deon Anderson 30 5' 10.5" 236 4.70 FB 2007: Continues to impress in so many ways. Showed hands tonight, and ran pretty hard when Donald Brown (27-210-2) wasn't toting it--which wasn't often. Could wind up being drafted late. I'd say he should be a top 5 FB in our rankings if he isn't already, because of near excellence in all three areas. GRADE: Positive

College: Rutgers Conference: Big East Columnist: Steve Martin
Name # Ht Wt Speed Pos Class Game Notes

Clark Harris 81 6' 5.3" 255 4.80 TE 2007: Very quiet night for Clark, though he did have a couple of catches. I want to see this guy with a real QB so bad...Didn't block as well (or as often) as he has in the past. I think they may tell you different, but some of these RU guys were definitely looking past this game tonight. GRADE: Neutral

Brian Leonard 23 6' 1.0" 235 4.52 FB 2007: Brian continues to do everything you can do that impresses the scouts. He is really increasing his value by blocking this year, and not touching it as much, AND his team is 7-0 partly because of it. Got to see the patented "Leonard Leap" a couple of times, and of course, those hands...man they are good. Should have taken out a banged up Rice A LOT EARLIER though, and given Leonard the ball. GRADE: Positive

Willie Foster 84 5' 9.3" 170 0.00 WR 2007: Couple decent KRs. Nothing in the receiving area. Not going to get into a camp, I don't think--or, if he does it will be a short stay. GRADE: slightly negative

Ramel Meekins 60 5' 11.0" 275 0.00 DT 2007: What can you say that already hasn't been said? Go back and read. He is a player who would be a perennial all-pro in an "Under-280" league. GRADE: Positive

Derrick Roberson 11 5' 9.5" 172 0.00 CB 2007: Didn't see him do anything, but I did miss the first few minutes of the 3rd. GRADE: Inc

Devraun Thompson 55 5' 11.0" 220 0.00 LB 2007: Can not be a linebacker at the next level, but I would like Jeff to comment on his potential of getting a look as a SS. Had a sack and was around the ball all night. GRADE: positive

Darnell Stapleton 53 6' 2.7" 305 0.00 C 2007: Looked closely at Stapleton as a result of our recent discussion Jeff, and I see nothing to make me think he will be drafted, but everything to make me think he will be in a camp. I'd like to see those strength and speed numbers. Looks like an above-average collegiate center, and not much more. GRADE: Slightly positive

Ron Girault 0' 0.0" 0 0.00 S 2008: didn't see him do anything either. GRADE: Inc.

Joe Radigan 30 6' 4.0" 220 4.99 P 2007: Unimpressive. Hang time is not great. Everything is a returnable low line drive. GRADE: Negative

OTHER NOTES:

RU CB Manny Collins just keeps making big plays. I hadn't heard his injury story...wow...A kid to route for, for sure. Database time, Jeff?

UConn QB DJ Hernandez...decent athlete. More dangerous with his legs than his arm at this point. Only a soph. Has a 5-10% chance of becoming very special by the time he is a senior, IMHO....

Jamaal Westerman looked BETTER than Meekins in this one. I couldn't decide if that was BECAUSE of Meekins doing his job so well, or because Westerman just went nuts.

Rutgers MUST run Ray Rice a bit less and STOP BEING SO DARNED PREDICTABLE on offense. For the life of me, with guys like Leonard and Rice both in the same backfield, I can't see why are they that way??

I saw bits and pieces of this game, so my comments have to be tempered by this fact.

Devraun Thompson: He's undersized as a LB, but he does have very good strength for his size. He has good speed, but I'm not sure he has the quickness to play at SS. He doesn't strike me as the type of player who will be able to make that transition. I think he'll be in a camp as a LB, but I don't see an NFL career for him.

Darnell Stapleton: I agree with everything you said.

Joe Radigan: I've seen him with much better hang-time in other games. The thing you have to consider is that the winds were really whipping around in NJ last night. He was probably trying to drive the ball rather than get it up in the air where the wind could knock it back. I'm not making excuses, because I didn't see any of his punts, but there was a weather factor to consider. (He's still not draftable, regardless.)

Manny Collins: Yes, his story makes him a guy to cheer for. And he continues to make big plays. I didn't see enough of the game to see if he made the small plays. Heck, anyone can pick up a loose ball and run it 10 yards to the endzone. But is he covering the receivers play-in, play-out? If he's doing it, then he's definitely a database candidate.