Commodores concentrating on Rutgers, hope for second win

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Posted 5:29AM on Friday, October 8, 2004

NASHVILLE, Tenn - If Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson wants to ensure his Commodores take Rutgers seriously, he only has to ask Brian Kovolisky to start talking. The senior left guard from Clark, N.J., was recruited by Rutgers before choosing Vanderbilt. Leaving New Jersey doesn't mean he has ignored his home state's top school. ``Yes, this is a team you have to take seriously,'' Kovolisky said. ``All the guys know we have got to take them seriously. They're a good team. They beat Michigan State. ... We can't take them lightly at all.'' Not that Vanderbilt (1-3) has any room to take any team lightly Saturday night when the Commodores host Rutgers (2-2). Vanderbilt may be coming off a 31-13 Southeastern Conference victory over Mississippi State that was their largest over a league foe since 1992, but that SEC victory is only their fifth since 1999. Rutgers is coming off a disappointing 41-31 loss at Syracuse, a game in which the Scarlet Knights led in the fourth quarter before giving up 21 points. Johnson, who is 5-23 in his third season, sees plenty of similarities between the teams. ``They've been trying to build their program the past few years and an academic school, sort of a mirror image here. They've probably enjoyed a little more success than we've had,'' Johnson said. Greg Schiano has had an extra year in his rebuilding project, and he now is 10-29 in his fourth season. He doesn't know much about the Commodores, but he did recruit some of the players that wound up at Vandy. ``That's not a good thing,'' Schiano said. Vanderbilt hasn't won consecutive games since September 1999 when the Commodores won three straight. The Commodores are the favorite for a second straight week, and the question is whether they can handle the higher expectations that Johnson is doing his best to downplay. ``We'll have our hands full. We'll never be in a position where we can play poorly and expect to win against anybody. We're going to try to improve this week, if we can,'' he said. Vanderbilt may get back veteran left tackle Justin Geisinger from a left knee injury and safety Kelechi Ohanaja from bruised left quadriceps muscle. That would provide a much-needed boost to an offense that is 92nd overall in Division I with 319.8 yards per game even though quarterback Jay Cutler ranks third in the SEC in total offense. The Scarlet Knights aren't sure what to expect from Vandy, which features a healthy dose of option when needed. Rutgers gave up 370 yards rushing to Syracuse. ``I'm sure they're going to try us with the option because they saw we weren't disciplined last week,'' Rutgers defensive end Ryan Neill said. ``They saw that on film. They're especially going to use it in tough situations.'' Ohanaja is a key piece of a pass defense that is 29th in the nation, allowing 172.8 yards per game. The Commodores will be tested by Scarlet Knights quarterback Ryan Hart, who ranks 21st in the nation in total offense with 267.75 yards per game. He threw for 311 yards and three touchdowns in the loss at Syracuse, and should have Rutgers' top rusher Brian Leonard back from an injured thigh. Vandy forced five turnovers last week, but Johnson still isn't sure what to expect from his defense. ``I think we're still trying to figure it out, to tell you the truth,'' he said.