2011 Pinstripe Bowl Overview
2011
Pinstripe Bowl Overview
Yankee
Stadium might be home of the Bronx Bombers, but it’s turning into a
multi-purpose complex.
Dec.
30 in the Bronx, Yankee Stadium will re-open for the bowl season, as it is the
venue for the New Era Pinstripe Bowl, which will feature Rutgers of the Big East
and the Iowa State Cyclones of the Big 12 Conference.
This
matchup will be the first-ever meeting between the Scarlet Knights and the
Cyclones on the gridiron.
Our
live Pinstripe Bowl odds list Rutgers as a 2-point favorite, while the total has
been set for 45 points.
Rutgers
Rutgers
got out to a 5-1 start, then had a late three-game win streak that was stopped
with a 40-22 defeat at UConn to close the regular season and finish fourth place
in the conference (4-3). The Scarlet Knights were 2-3 away from home this year,
and posted a 1-2 overall mark versus the three conference co-champions. Two of
the four defeats came by two points each, and three losses were by 14 points
total.
The
Scarlet Knights are one of the best defensive teams in the nation, ranking 12th
in the country in points surrendered (19 points per contest), surrendering 315
yards per contest (168 passing, 147 running) while totaling 33 sacks and
generating 31 turnovers with four converted into scores (Scott Vallone and
Marcus Cooper, fumbles; Duron Harmon and Logan Ryan, interceptions).
Khaseem
Greene leads this defense with 127 stops (56 more than anyone else), adding
three sacks and two forced fumbles, while Justin Francis has 6.5 sacks to go
with 60 tackles, two blocked kicks, an interception and a fumble recovery.
Harmon has five interceptions with 45 tackles, while Jamal Harrell has three
blocked kicks, two forced fumbles, 39 stops and a fumble recovery.
On
offense, Rutgers rates 66th in the country in points scored (26 ppg) while
compiling 336 yards per contest (245 throwing, 91 rushing). Chas Todd and Gary
Nova have combined to connect on 54 percent of their throws for 2,931 yards and
20 touchdowns with 16 interceptions. The offensive line has surrendered 30
sacks.
The
top pass catcher is Mohamed Sanu with 109 catches (78 more than any other player
on the team) for 1,144 yards and seven scores, while Jawan Jamison anchors the
running attack with 766 yards and seven scores on 3.8 yards per carry.
Iowa
State
The
Cyclones were up and down this year started 3-0, then lost four straight, then
won three consecutive, then lost their last two contests against Oklahoma (26-6)
and Kansas State (30-23). ISU was 1-4 against current top-25 schools, but has an
overtime win over No. 3 Oklahoma State. The Cyclones were 2-4 away from home,
with three of those losses against top-25 schools.
Iowa
State ranks 82nd in the country in points given up (30 ppg), allowing 432 yards
per game (237 throwing, 195 running) while recording 17 sacks and generating 24
turnovers one taken back for a TD (A.J. Klein, pick).
Jake
Knott leads the defense with 107 tackles and three forced fumbles, adding two
picks and a fumble recovery, while Klein has 101 stops with two sacks and one
pick. Patrick Neal has 3.5 sacks, 38 tackles and two forced fumbles, while
Ter’Ran Benton has three picks, 62 tackles and a fumble recovery.
The
Cyclones rate 86th in the country in offense (23 ppg) while totaling 393 yards
per contest (218 passing, 181 on the ground). Steele Jantz and Jared Barnett
have combined to connect on 52 percent of their throws for 2,500 yards and 16
touchdowns with 15 interceptions.
Darius
Reynolds paces the receiving corps with 41 grabs for 655 yards and seven scores,
while Josh Lenz adds 35 grabs for 438 yards and two scores. James White anchors
the running game with 701 yards and eight touchdowns on 4.7 yards per carry.
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