Rutgers Football

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We know all about the Teels, Underwoods and Greenes. But the performance of stars in the spring doesn't do much but make you go, "Yep, they're pretty good."

Rutgers' spring football award winners provide a glimpse into the players who are making the real gains during the offseason.

DT Pete Tverdov won the Frank R. Burns award, given to the player "who displays extraordinary mental and physical toughness during spring practice."

WR Dennis Campbell won the Mark Mills Second Effort Award for the most improved offensive player while DB Davon Smart was the Douglas A. Smith Award recipient for the most improved defensive player.

Bob Child/AP PhotoTom Luicci's pick for Big East Coach of the Year - UConn head coach Randy Edsall.

Today, we look at the Special Teams/Coaches/Teams

Click below to see:
Part I - The offense
Part II - The defense

The reporters' unanimous choice for Big East Offensive Player of the Year - WVU's Pat White

Voters included: Brian Bennett, Louisville Courier-Journal; Shawn Courchesne, Hartford Courant; Bob Hertzel, Fairmont-Times West Virginian; Josh Katzowitz, Cincinnati Post; Tom Luicci, Newark Star-Ledger; Brett McMurphy, Tampa Tribune; Donnie Wood, Syracuse Post-Standard; Paul Zeise, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Each position has a maximum of eight votes. Leading vote getters at each position listed below with votes in (parenthesis).

The coaches All-Big East teams will be released Dec. 5.

Al Messerschmidt/Getty ImagesDefensive end George Selvie of USF - Alex Delanian's choice for Defensive Player of the Year.

Today, we look at the defense.

Click below to see:
Part I: The offense

It's the final week of the Big East season. What better time to make our picks for the best in the conference.

Part I: The offense

Jeff Gentner/AP PhotoPat White - The writers' unanimous choice for Big East Offensive Player of the Year.

Here are the voters: Brian Bennett, Louisville Courier-Journal; Shawn Courchesne, Hartford Courant; Bob Hertzel, Fairmont-Times West Virginian; Josh Katzowitz, Cincinnati Post; Tom Luicci, Newark Star-Ledger; Brett McMurphy, Tampa Tribune; Donnie Wood, Syracuse Post-Standard; Paul Zeise, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Each position has a maximum of eight votes. Leading vote getters at each position listed below with votes in (parenthesis).

The coaches All-Big East teams will be released Dec. 5

RICK BOWMER/AP PHOTOOregon's Dennis Dixon is leading the Heisman race.

Heisman Watch

CHRIS FAYTOK/THE STAR-LEDGERRay Rice.

The Rutgers junior running back was named as one of 15 "Players to Watch" for the 2007 Player of the Year award. Rice is also a semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award and the Maxwell Award, for the nation's best running back and overall player, respectively. He was a second team All-America selection by the Walter Camp foundation last year.

FRANK CONLON/THE STAR-LEDGERRunning back Ray Rice.

This season, Rice is ranked sixth in the country and first in the Big East with 1,257 yards thus far. His 15 touchdowns tie for 12th nationally. He holds Rutgers records in career rushing yards -- 4,171 -- and career rushing touchdowns -- 39.

FRANK H. CONLON/THE STAR-LEDGERBrandon Renkart, left, tries to tackle Maryland's Lance Ball on Sept. 29.

The Draddy Trophy is presented to one college football player each season in recognition of performance on the playing field, in academics and in service to the community. The BIG EAST has had two winners of the award, including former Rutgers running back Brian Leonard, who won last season. Joaquin Gonzalez of Miami was the 2001 winner.

The five BIG EAST players in contention for the 2007 award are Cincinnati offensive tackle Digger Bujnoch, Louisville offensive guard Daniel Barlowe, Rutgers linebacker Brandon Renkart, Syracuse offensive guard Ryan Durand, and West Virginia linebacker Bobby Hathaway.

Rutgers isn't going to sneak up on anyone this year - that's a not-so-good thing on the football field. But off it, Rutgers is getting plenty of attention nationally.

Frank H. Conlon/The Star-LedgerRutgers' Eric Foster celebrates a big third quarter tackle against Louisville last season.

The Chuck Bednarik Award

What it is: Presented to the best college defensive player judged by the Maxwell Football Club. In 2006, the award was given to Paul Posluszny of Penn State.

Rutgers has two of the 65 players on the Watch List:
1. Eric Foster
2. Courtney Greene