PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) - It took nearly an entire season, but No. 16 Rutgers appears to have its passing game moving as smoothly as its rushers as it prepares for the Dec. 28 Texas Bowl against Kansas State.
Quarterback Mike Teel, who spent much of the season dodging criticism despite being only a redshirt sophomore and first-year starter, looked sharp in Rutgers final two regular-season games. Teel's emergence takes some pressure off tailback Ray Rice, who won team MVP honors after carrying the offensive load this season.
``It definitely takes time,'' Teel said of the passing game. ``Obviously we didn't want it to take as much time as it did. But the latter part of the year, we were able to make some plays and take advantage of what opponents were trying to do to us.
``It's exciting to have an offense clicking like that. We have two great running backs in Ray and Brian (Leonard) that makes our job easier, and now this makes their job easier,'' Teel said.
Teel completed 148 of 268 passes for 1,867 yards and 10 touchdowns with 13 interceptions for the season, in which Rutgers (10-2, 5-2 Big East) finished in the Top 25 for the first time in 30 years.
His low point was game 10, when he threw four interceptions against Cincinnati in the Scarlet Knights' first loss of the season. Coach Greg Schiano defended Teel afterward, saying some bad receiver routes and dropped passes added to the quarterback's problems.
But Teel bounced back. In a 38-7 victory over Syracuse, Teel was 9-for-11 for 123 yards and two touchdowns, and had no interceptions. Most of his work came in the first half, as Rutgers sat on the lead after intermission.
In the season finale, he was 19-for-26 for a career-high 278 yards and hit Tim Brown with a 72-yard touchdown pass, Rutgers' longest scoring play of the season.
But Teel's most reliable weapon in the final part of the season has been freshman Kenny Britt.
ncaafootball.com
Rutgers QB finding passing touch as bowl game approaches
Rutgers QB finding passing touch as bowl game approaches
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