Ryan Hart threw for the most touchdowns in Rutgers history. As a reward, he was handed a clipboard and a visor.

For four seasons, Hart was the foundation of the rebuilding program, the best thing to happen to Rutgers since Tony Soprano appeared in its commercials. He was a quarterback who entered the mix as a freshman and started his sophomore and junior seasons. Then senior year came, the season when the program looked to elevate to laudable levels. But after the first five games, Hart watched from the sidelines because a redshirt freshman became the new kid on the block.

It’s difficult, sure. But on Saturday – when the Scarlet Knights visited Connecticut in a game that could’ve validated its bowl push – that redshirt freshman, Mike Teel, stuggled. Trailing 10-3 at halftime, Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano called Hart’s number.

The senior responded with three touchdown passes and Rutgers came from behind to win, 26-24, in overtime.

‘I just went out there and played football and had fun again,’ Hart said after the game. ‘I have gotten through this with my family and friends and just prepared as a starter.’

Hart only completed 5-of-11 passes, but the three touchdowns were crucial for the Scarlet Knights. He played like a senior, and it crippled the Huskies.

‘His experience and his knowledge and being decisive with the ball helped him,’ Connecticut head coach Randy Edsall said. ‘He made some good throws and we weren’t playing proper position on two throws and we had a missed assignment on another.’

But perhaps most impressive was the way Hart dealt with the demotion. You’ve heard the story – the notable quarterback gets benched and takes it for the team. When you’ve re-written the school’s record books, though, it can be difficult to be shunned during your senior season.

Schiano said the decision to bench Hart was difficult. He gushed about the type of person Hart is, but felt Teel – a strong-armed gunslinger from a tradition-rich New Jersey prep school (Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey, N.J.) – is the quarterback who could best serve the offense. But Schiano emphasized to Hart he’d still have an opportunity.

‘I told him, this is a funny game and you’re going to have an opportunity to win a big game for us down the line,’ Schiano said. ‘And as long as you prepare, you’ll go out and win it. I feel like we have two quarterbacks we can go out and win with. Sure enough, it’s the second game he’s not the starter that his numbers really crawled and he did a good job.’

From the outside, there didn’t appear to be a problem. The Scarlet Knights were winning games and Hart was completing more than 50 percent of his passes while throwing more touchdowns than interceptions in Rutgers’ first four games. But Schiano made the switch to Teel during an Oct. 8 loss to West Virginia and Teel responded with a noteworthy performance in a win against Syracuse.

Schiano wouldn’t commit to a starter for Saturday’s game against Navy – an opportunity for the Scarlet Knights to earn their coveted sixth win, making them bowl eligible. He said Teel was injured against UConn and he needed more facts to make a decision.

While Rutgers is finally giving New Jersey a reason to watch in-state college football, Hart is riding an unusual senior season, exhibiting the type of character Schiano emphasizes.

‘We want quality young men who love the game, not like it,’ Schiano said. ‘When guys love the game of football, they do the type of things they don’t like to do because they love the game so much.’

Fresh face

Connecticut quarterback Dennis Brown is the antithesis of Hart. Brown, a true freshman, was forced to start because of injuries to Connecticut’s top two quarterbacks, Matt Bonislawski and D.J. Hernandez.

Brown played above average in his first start, throwing for 196 yards and two touchdowns with one interception. The situation was not ideal but he filled in admirably. UConn head coach Randy Edsall noted the rainy conditions and that the Huskies rash of injuries made it tough, but Brown ‘basically did everything he could possibly do to try to help (UConn) win.

‘I was able to get more familiar with the offense,’ Brown said. ‘After that, I felt like it was time to play football. I was much more comfortable out there. I wouldn’t say I wasn’t nervous (before the game) but my coach prepared me for this and I was ready for the competition.’

Edsall decided to take Brown out of the shotgun, which often gives a quarterback more time and allows him to scan the field better. There is always some risk with the decision, especially considering the center-quarterback exchange, but Edsall felt it was important to allow Brown go under center.

‘With a young quarterback, sometimes it is good to be in that so he doesn’t have to drop back and he can see things and make things happen,’ Edsall said. ‘If you do get pressure he can move a little bit better. We went with it just because I think the situation dictated it and I thought it was more beneficial for us to be successful on offense.’

Around the conference

Louisville quarterback Brian Brohm shared Big East Offensive Player of the Week honors with Rutgers running back Ray Rice. Brohm threw for 303 yards and two touchdowns while Rice ran for a career-high 217 yards. Pittsburgh linebacker H.B. Blades recorded 11 tackles, a fumble recovery and an interception return for a touchdown in Saturday’s 34-17 win against Syracuse, earning him Defensive Player of the Week. Rutgers punter Joe Radigan earned the special teams honors after dropping three fourth-quarter punts inside the 10-yard line. …Last week’s anticipated South Florida-West Virginia was postponed because of Hurricane Wilma. It will be played Dec. 3. … West Virginia is the only ranked team in the Big East, placing No. 18 in the Oct. 23 Associated Press poll.

Published on October 25, 2005 at 12:00 pm