Rutgers names captains

Rutgers football head coach Greg Schiano announced that seniors Howard Barbieri (Leonardo, N.J.), Joe Lefeged (Germantown, Md.) and Charlie Noonan (Philadelphia, Pa.) have been named team captains for the 2010 season. Barbieri and Noonan have been part of Rutgers’ four consecutive teams that have won bowl games while Lefeged has played in the previous three bowl victories for the Scarlet Knights.

Barbieri, a fifth-year senior, enters his first season as the starter at center for the Scarlet Knights. A former walk-on, Barbieri has played every position on the offensive line during his career at Rutgers, along with tight end. The New Jersey native has 13 career starts on the RU offensive line.

Lefeged begins his fourth year “On the Banks” and has been a key defensive back since his true freshman season. A Preseason All-BIG EAST performer by various media outlets, Lefeged has played in 38 career games, including 26 starts. Last season, the strong safety totaled 44 tackles to go along with a 91-yard kickoff return for a touchdown vs. West Virginia. In his career, Lefeged has 154 tackles, including 10 for loss and 5.5 sacks.

Noonan returns for his fifth year after graduating in May from Rutgers. The Pennsylvania native started all 12 games he played in a season ago at nose tackle for the Scarlet Knights. A hard-nosed defensive lineman who has overcome multiple surgical procedures on his knee during his career, Noonan has 34 career tackles in 36 games played.

The Scarlet Knights open the 2010 campaign Thursday, Sept. 2 vs. Norfolk State. Kickoff time is set for 7:30 p.m. with live coverage on ESPN3.com and the Rutgers Radio Network.