"New Bucs coach Greg Schiano and his new quarterback have a history together. They met five years ago at, perhaps, Schiano's highest point at Rutgers — and a turning point for Josh Freeman in his development at Kansas State.

Schiano's No. 16-ranked Scarlet Knights dominated Freeman and the Wildcats 37-10 in the December 2006 Texas Bowl to cap an 11-win season. The Wildcats scored their only touchdown on special teams. And Freeman threw for only 129 yards with one of his two interceptions returned for a touchdown.

"He was a freshman, and I can remember preparing for the bowl game being scared to death: 'If this guy breaks out of the pocket, we are in trouble,' " Schiano said Friday as he was introduced as Bucs coach. "I'm excited to have Josh here."

The Texas Bowl also marked the final game as Kansas State defensive coordinator for Raheem Morris, the man Schiano replaces in Tampa Bay. And Rutgers' Ray Rice rushed for 170 yards behind an offensive line that included current Bucs G Jeremy Zuttah.

Freeman was in Kansas City on Thursday when he got word Schiano had been hired. But he flew back to Tampa to meet Schiano and attend the news conference.

"I love his direction. He's a very passionate coach," Freeman said. "Those (values) are things that are timeless. His coaching philosophy has had success at Rutgers.""