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No more Mr. Nice Guy: Rutgers RB Justin Goodwin responds to challenge to show toughness

SEATTLE – Sometimes nice guys finish last ... and other times they get buried as fourth on the depth chart.

Justin Goodwin is expected to complete a long circular journey from freshman sensation to senior starter at running back Saturday when Rutgers opens the season at Washington.

Goodwin's role as a sophomore and junior was minimized as Rutgers featured Paul James, Josh Hicks and Robert Martin in the backfield, leaving the soft-spoken team-oriented Goodwin to a specialist role as a third-down back.

But new offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer saw potential for more in Goodwin after spring camp, and so he issued a challenge.