Turning Rutgers Around and Losing a Legend

Random notes and thoughts for the day after Columbus Day or for some Indigenous Peoples Day.  Yes the state of Vermont along with the cities of Phoenix and Denver are the latest to change the second Monday of October to one not celebrating the Italian explorer but rather Native Americans. Just thought I would throw that out there.

There is plenty of room on the Rutgers football bandwagon as many have jumped off following back to back losses to Ohio State and Michigan by the combined score of 136-0 over the last two weeks.  Sure it’s embarrassing to students, alumni and fans but the feeling among many is first-year Head Coach Chris Ash was and is the right choice to turn the fortunes of the Scarlet Knights around.

Remember Greg Schiano won a total of three games in his first two seasons and did not have a winning record until his fifth season.  Ash needs time and support.

Here’s a little trivia question for you.  What do Rutgers and Monmouth have in common this football season?  The answer is they both crushed Howard University with the Scarlet Knights beating the Bison 52-14 and the Hawks rolling to a 59-27 victory in Washington DC last weekend.  Monmouth is 4-2 and plays its first-ever Thursday night game this week against Presbyterian in Clinton, South Carolina.

Condolences to the family of Ben DeFonzo who passed away last Friday at the age of 78.  Ben spent his working career at Southern Regional High School, much of it as the school’s co-director of Athletics, before retiring in 1999.  He was a warm and likable person and we shared an interest and devotion to Penn State football.

A viewing will be held Thursday from 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. at Anderson & Campbell Funeral Home on Main Street in Toms River with funeral services the following morning at St. Gertrude’s Catholic Church in Island Heights.