Ledger: CB Anderson getting noticed
by TOM LUICCI
Sunday August 12, 2007, 5:01 AM
Billy Anderson insists he didn't take it personally. QB Mike Teel said he was glad to hear that, because it wasn't personal at all.
For one stretch during yesterday's scrimmage at Rutgers Stadium, Teel attempted six straight passes. Five of them were directed at the wide receiver - usually star Kenny Britt - being defended by Anderson, a walk-on cornerback who has become a valuable reserve with injuries ravaging the secondary.
"That was mostly by offensive design. I know that," said Anderson, a third-year sophomore from West Orange. "The field was shorter to the side I was on. So it was a shorter throw for Mike. It was the easier route for them."
But a funny thing happened. Even though he was matched up with Britt on four of those pass plays, none were completed (Rutgers restarted a drive after one set of downs).
"It had nothing to do with Billy. He's doing a great job. It was because of the defense they were in," said Teel. "The plays we had were run-pass check plays against their blitz and we wanted to go to our 'X' (receiver), whoever it was, one on one."
That left Anderson alone against one of the best receivers in the Big East. But he more than held his own.
"You want that challenge," he said. "Playing against the receivers we have can only make me better."
Anderson played in one game last year (the second half against Howard), but suddenly finds himself in the mix as a backup corner and working with the first dime team. An injury to Leslie Jackman (hamstring) has Anderson battling with freshmen Brandon Bing and Al-Majid Hutchins, who struggled yesterday, for a backup role.
"I feel I'm ready to play if they need me," said Anderson.