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Monday, December 29, 2008
For those of you keeping score, Rutgers' 29-23 victory over NC State in the Papajohns.com Bowl today, makes the Big East Conference 3-0 in 2008 bowl games; makes Rutgers 3-0 in their last three bowl appearances; and give the Big East two wins (no losses) over ACC opponents this bowl season. Quite the statement so far if you ask me.
Mike Teel and the Scarlet Knights continued the type of hot play that vaulted them into bowl eligibility in the second half of the season, halting another hot team in the Wolfpack. The difference in this game, no question, was Mike Teel's superb play (22/37, 319 yds, 2/1), Kenny Britt's ability as a formidable target for Teel (six catches for 119 yards), and four costly turnovers for NC State.
Teel played his final game as Rutgers quarterback and Kenny Britt probably has as well (he is a junior). ESPN's Todd McShay projects Britt as a second to third round pick, as a receiver in a mold of a "poor man's Terrell Owens (not his exact words)," with considerable size, average speed, good hands, but a questionable work ethic. Although McShay dismisses Teel's chances of being an NFL product due to his seeming inconsistency, I think his play down the stretch this season will at least get him some looks as a post-draft free agent signee.
The next bowl game for the Big East will be on Wednesday, when the Pitt Panthers take on the Oregon State Beavers in the Brut Sun Bowl. If you missed today's game on the tellie, here are some pictures courtesy of Bill Perlman of the Newark Star-Ledger. Finally, the ever popular and updated conference bowl standings:
Big East 3-0
Pac 10 2-0
MWC 2-1
CUSA 1-1
Sun Belt 1-1
ACC 2-3
WAC 1-3
Big 10 0-1
Indies 0-2
MAC 0-2
Photo Credit: Bill Perlman / Newark Star-Ledger