PISCATAWAY, N.J. — In any other week, Rutgers’ quarterback controversy involving Chas Dodd and Gary Nova might be the focal point of its game against Pittsburgh.
Not this week, not with a family feud about to take place when the Panthers (3-2, 1-0 Big East) and Scarlet Knights (3-1, 1-0) meet at High Point Solutions Stadium on Saturday.
In one corner, there is Pittsburgh running back Ray Graham, the nation’s third leading rusher. In the other is Rutgers linebacker and leading tackler Khaseem Greene, Graham’s older brother. The Elizabeth residents have the same father and different mothers.
The two talked earlier this week and usually talk the day before games. Both understand they will probably run into each other on Saturday more than a couple of times.
“No. No, it’s not weird. It’s actually fun,” said Greene, who is three years older than Graham. “It’s exciting to play against my brother, to have all of our family here on both sides. It’s just exciting. It’s kind of overwhelming, coming from where we come from and what we went through growing up. It’s kind of like a blessing.
“It’s exciting.”
Graham is coming off a great game, gaining 226 yards and scoring twice in the Panthers’ 44-17 victory over then No. 16 South Florida a little more than a week ago. The junior has rushed for 734 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 146.80 yards.
“This is going to be good. This is actually the third year we’ve been playing against each other,” Graham said. “I guess a little more things to talk about at the dinner table when it’s time to sit down.
“It’s going to be a good, fun game.”
Graham said the two are businesslike on the field, and he even admits they might be more competitive when they play pickup basketball games.
“On the field, we’re out there trying to do one thing,” Graham said. “He’s trying to make a stop and I’m trying to make a move to get in the end zone.”
Greene said even the families don’t take sides.
“My uncle has a jersey that’s half Pitt and half Rutgers,” Greene said. “My mom has one that’s Rutgers on the front and Pitt on the back – or one of those ways. So does his mom and a couple of other uncles and aunts. It’s half and half. Everyone wants to see us both do well.
“But at the end of the day, somebody has to lose and somebody has to win.”
While the brothers grew up in different households, they were close and hung out together.
“Because I was the oldest, we were always around an older crowd, which was cool, always having my younger brothers playing and having them look up to me and wanting to be like me. It was cool,” Greene said. “The thing that stood out the most is that all of my brothers are competitors, so if we played basketball or football, I always had a team with all of my brothers and somehow, some way we always won.
“It’s just fun. It’s fun having little brothers that look up to me and obviously having brothers that are successful in football and things like that.”
Greene said the way Rutgers plays defense, his assignment is usually to handle the running back.
“I’m looking forward to having more opportunities to tackle him, actually get clean hits on him,” Greene said. “It’s just going to be fun. I’m ready. It’s fun.”
Graham knows what to expect and he isn’t looking forward to being hit by his brother.
“He’s a hard hitter and I’m not trying to be in his way when he comes with that explosiveness,” said Graham, who said Rutgers was late recruiting him and he felt Pitt was where he wanted to play. “I’m going to try my best to dodge him. I know he’s going to make plays, but I’m going to try to stay away from that big hit.”
Rutgers coach Greg Schiano has said his choice of a starting quarterback will be a gametime decision.
Nova, a free freshman, replaced Dodd in the third quarter and rallied Rutgers from a 10-point deficit en route to a double-overtime victory over Syracuse.
Dodd, a sophomore who has started the last 12 games for the Scarlet Knights, replaced Tom Savage last season. He said he will be comfortable with whatever Schiano decides, but admits he has wondered why he is in a quarterback controversy.
“Obviously you want one quarterback in there to play and to finish the game,” Dodd said. “But I wasn’t having the best game so if I’m not, if that’s what he feels he has to do, than that’s OK. But obviously you want to be in there every game.”
Ironically, Nova planned to play at Pittsburgh but he changed his mind after the Panthers fired Dave Wannstedt as coach.
“I just approach this week like I do every week and keep competing,” Nova said.