Coming off a relatively easy season-opening 38-3 win against Buffalo last Thursday, 15th-ranked Rutgers is expecting a battle on Friday night against Navy.

Head coach Greg Schiano made it clear that he has a lot of respect for the Midshipmen, but his players -- especially his defense -- need to have that same understanding.

The Scarlet Knights' defense versus the Bulls wasn't really threatened and the team overcame some mental lapses thanks to its athletic ability. Schiano isn't confident that would be the same case this weekend.

"Our whole defense was swarming the football," said Schiano during his press conference on Monday. "The times [Buffalo] made yardage it wasn't from missed tackles, it was from improper fits -- that's when young guys don't see things the right way and they play something else. This week they can't do that,otherwise it's a touchdown."

Navy has a strong running game. Shun White ran for 122 yards on eight carries and Adam Ballard ran for two scores in the opener. Quarterback Kaipo-NoaKaheaku-Enhada also had a 100-yard performance and a touchdown in Navy's 30-19win at Temple. He threw the ball only seven time, completing just three, but Schiano knows he's still dangerous.

"He's a tremendous runner, but also a better passer than they've had in a longtime,' said Schiano. "This Navy offense is as good as they've ever had."

Offensively, Schiano wants his squad to keep mixing things up. Last week, not only did Heisman Trophy candidate Ray Rice run for 187 yards and three touchdowns, wide out Tiquan Underwood had a school-record 248 yards receiving and two scores. QB Mike Teel also threw for a career-best 320 yards.

Schiano says the positive is that teams can't focus on the run as much with the passing threat, but he knows that one games isn't going to stop teams from packing the box.

"This is going to be a very tough, tough challenge for our football team,"said Schiano. "They've played us very tough. They don't give up the big play."

Rutgers beat Navy 34-0 last season, the Scarlet Knight's second straight win against the Midshipmen. RU is in the midst of a five-game homestand to start the season. The Scarlet Knights have won eight straight at home, last losing in Piscataway on November 5, 2005 versus South Florida.

On the injury front, offensive lineman Pedro Sosa is nursing a knee injury. Schiano is positive he'll be able to play, but if the All-American candidate can't Kevin Haslam, Anthony Davis and Dan Mazan are expected to pick up the slack.