There have been a lot more people floating around Rutgers’ locker room this season. No, the Scarlet Knights don’t have a bigger roster. And no, despite the fact that alumnus James Gandolfini shows up every now and again, there isn’t any extra security.

The influx of people is less glamorous. It’s just the media.

“I’ve never seen a bigger group of reporters in here,” senior fullback Brian Leonard said last month. “We must be doing something good.”

With a 5-0 record and a No. 24 ranking in the AP Top 25 and coaches polls heading into today’s 1:30 game (CSTV; WOR, 710 AM) at Navy (5-1), Leonard is correct. But a funny thing has coincided with the resurgence. Surprised or not at the coverage, the Knights are becoming quite media-savvy.

Take Leonard. Not only is he a seasoned veteran in front of the microphone, he’s also brutally honest. When asked about the age-old notion of revenge – an upcoming opponent which beat them last year or vice versa – he rolled his eyes, smiled and told the truth.

“We play so many of the same teams every year, someone is going for revenge almost every time we play,” Leonard said.

Like today. The Midshipmen were drilled by the Knights, 31-21, last year in a game where the score was not indicative of the play.

“I think the biggest thing is they play with confidence,” Navy coach Paul Johnson said of the Knights, who were embarrassed at Navy 54-21 two years ago.

Navy averages 350.5 rushing yards per game. The Middies are fresh off a two-game unbeaten road swing and their only loss was a 24-23 overtime heartbreaker vs. Tulsa.

“We’ve had a decent week of practice,” Johnson said. “But I’ve been coaching long enough to know that you can’t ever tell until you play.”