Big Ten Media Days 2014: Welcome to the B1G, Rutgers

Kyle Flood opened his first Big Ten media days press conference in the most Big Ten way possible, by talking about academics, and a fullback. He indicated how proud he was to be joining the Big Ten, and to be a part of the premier academic/athletic conference. Flood talked about how the Big Ten was his "top choice", because the Pac-12 was probably not the best fit:

#Rutgers HC Kyle Flood on entering B1G: "When they came to me and they said that, I said, 'Perfect,' because that was our first choice."

— ESPN Big Ten (@ESPN_BigTen) July 28, 2014

When asked about recruiting challenges with Penn State and Rutgers, Flood indicated that he doesn't care about your political boundaries. They're gonna recruit THE STATE OF RUTGERS. And what, exactly, is the State of Rutgers?

Asked about recruiting challenges, specifically related to #PSU, Flood says he'll recruit "State of Rutgers,"which includes NY, PA, DE, FL.

— ESPN Big Ten (@ESPN_BigTen) July 28, 2014

So basically:

Kyle Flood refers to basically the entire East Coast as "the State of Rutgers."

— Kevin Trahan (@k_trahan) July 28, 2014

Flood was also asked to define Big Ten football. With different schemes, priorities and traditions, what do Big Ten schools have in common?

Flood: "To me, Big Ten football starts with physicality."

— Patrick Maks (@maksimuspatrick) July 28, 2014

Flood mentioned that he had previously tried to reach out OC, and former Maryland head coach Ralph Friedgen, but it didn't make sense to join up until now:

Kyle Flood says he reached out to Ralph Friedgen two years ago but timing wasn't right.

— ESPN Big Ten (@ESPN_BigTen) July 28, 2014

Finally, given Gary Nova being hit or miss last season, could there be a QB battle? Well, ... :

Rutgers has not officially named a starting QB but Gary Nova will be 1st team to start camp. Doesn’t sound like a QB controversy there.

— Kevin Noon (@Kevin_Noon) July 28, 2014