ESPN

Buzzmaster

  (11:58 AM)

We are getting Mike right now!

Mike Teel

  (11:59 AM)

Hi, this is Mike Teel. Thanks for joining me today!

Erik (East Brunswick, NJ)

What do you think of Rutgers chances of winning the Big East?

Mike Teel

  (12:00 PM)

You have to take it one game at a time. There is a lot of depth in the conference, and if you start to look forward to that you give yourself no chance. You just take it one game at a time and try to be the best that you can be.

Jason (Madison, NJ)

Hey Mike, excellent start to the season so far. What have you done differently from last season to this season that's helped you improve so much?

Mike Teel

  (12:01 PM)

Thank you! There has not been much change in what I have done or what the team has done. We have worked very hard in the offseason, getting timing down with WR, and the offensive line has protected me very well.

Jon (NJ)

Hey Mike. How great is it that you're the only starting QB in the country to not have been sacked so far? Go Knights!

Mike Teel

  (12:03 PM)

Hey that is one of the most important things in football, protecting the passer and opening up running lanes. And all that credit has to go to coach Flood and the offensive line.

Lou (Colts Neck,NJ)

Great start but what do you think the team needs to do better in order to be successful going foward?

Mike Teel

  (12:04 PM)

We need to be efficient. We need to score TDs and not commit silly penalties, which negatively impact the football game. So we need to continue to work on our efficiency.

Doug (Hillsborough,. NJ)

Hey Mike, great job so far. What does it mean to be recognized anwhere you go in New Jersey as a celebrity?

Mike Teel

  (12:06 PM)

It is pretty neat the way that the state of NJ has embraced us as their own. When I get to go home in North Jersey, it's great to have people come up to you and say great job; it is something very special, and I am fortunate to be part of it.

Greg

Can Ray Rice win the Heisman this year?

Mike Teel

  (12:07 PM)

Ray Rice is a tremendous football player, who we are really lucky to have. And Ray is willing to do anything for the team. The bottom line is he is a tremendous team player. In the end, is he going to win the Heisman? Who knows. But is he good enough to win the Heisman? You bet.

Mike

How much has the offense had to adjust with the departure of Brian Leonard?

Mike Teel

  (12:09 PM)

Brian Leonard is a guy you cannot replace. As an offense we have changed in and out of a lot of personel groups. Brian is a truly special player, but the guys that have stepped in have done a great job to take the pressure off.

Paul - Cerritos, CA

Hi Mike. Awesome start. Do you think that the strength of you schedule will be a detrement in eyes of those who rank the standings?

Mike Teel

  (12:11 PM)

The biggest thing with football is you go out and play your schedule. Now we are getting into conference play, and the Big East has proven that we can play with the best in college football. There is not much you can do about the schedule, and the games in the Big East, week in and week out, are going to be tough, hard-nosed football games.

Christian (Phillipsburg NJ)

Hey Mike, What would you say is the biggest differnce in the team Since you first came to rutgers?

Mike Teel

  (12:13 PM)

The leadership. There was leadership from coaches when I first got here, but as time went on the Brian Leonards of the world took over the team along with the coaches. The senior leadership, and leadership of the captains has really taken over. It has been like an explosion.

John (Manalapan, NJ)

Mike, What do you do for fun in your spare time besides studying game tape and tossing the ball with the WRs?

Mike Teel

  (12:15 PM)

I try to be as much of a regular student as possible. I hang out and watch games, go to the basketball games here. I try to be as much of a regular college student as possible. We do not get too much time to be regular students, so when you do get some time it is nice to just hang out with the guys.

Carlton from Charleston WV

Do you have a role model among active NFL QBs? If so, tell us about it. Thanks and go RU!

Mike Teel

  (12:16 PM)

I like to say I try and model my game after Tom Brady, being cool and calm in the pocket, and leading the team. Those are things I try to do in the offense. I do not think there are many other QBs who are better to emulate.

Mike (Philadelphia PA)

Hey Mike, who is the funniest guy on the team?

Mike Teel

  (12:17 PM)

We have a couple guys. But Ray Rice is one of the funniest. You are always smiling around him and he is always joking around. He is a great kid and just a fun guy to be around.

Fred (Piscataway, NJ)

Hi Mike. I'm a huge fan of Rutgers football. How does it feel to be the nation's top rated passer?

Mike Teel

  (12:18 PM)

It is alot more than me that goes into that. It starts with the O-line and the receivers making plays. It is a good start but there is a lot more than just me involved with that.

Matt (sea Isle City. NJ)

Did you treat the offensive line to dinner after they gave up an NCAA-low eight sacks last year?

Mike Teel

  (12:20 PM)

I took them out in the beggining of the year for dinner. It has been something I have done since high school. They do a tremendous job, and they do not get enough credit, and I try to show them just how much we appreciate them.

Dan (Oakland, NJ)

What is the atmosphere at Rutgers like these days. You guys are doing great things down therre. And we like to have hometown hero

Mike Teel

  (12:21 PM)

It is tremedous. It has been a carry over from last year. The buzz just never died, and students are excited to have a winning football team, and faculty is very proud of us. It is a very exciting and proud time to be part of this university.

Mike Teel

  (12:23 PM)

Thanks for joining me today. It has been a pleasure. And I hope to hear you all rooting for us in the stands next week!