PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Heisman Trophy candidate Ray Rice (New Rochelle, N.Y.) rushed for three touchdowns to help No. 13 Rutgers to a convincing 59-0 homecoming victory over Norfolk State Saturday afternoon at Rutgers Stadium. Wide receivers Tiquan Underwood (Lawrenceville, N.J.) and Kenny Britt (Bayonne, N.J.) each exceeded the century mark and hauled in touchdown passes to provide the Scarlet Knights their 10th straight home win before a school-record fifth-consecutive sell out crowd.
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Junior QB Mike Teel posted his third career three-touchdown game. Photo by Jim O'Connor/NJ Sports Photo |
The offense did the majority of its damage in the second quarter, scoring a school and Big East record 42 points en route to a 45-0 halftime lead.
Rice watched the second half from the sideline after rushing for 72 yards on 12 carries in the first two quarters. Quarterback Mike Teel (Oakland, N.J.) also retired after the midpoint. The junior once again engineered an efficient offense, completing eight of 15 passes for 269 yards and three scores, an average of 33.6 yards per pass. All of Teel's passes were caught by Underwood and Britt, with each grabbing four. Underwood, the Big East's leading receiver, totaled 148 yards and one touchdown, while Britt tallied 121 yards and two scores.
The 59-point differential marked the largest margin of victory during the Schiano era. The previous record was 49 in Rutgers 56-7 win over Howard on Sept. 23, 2006. The win also signaled the largest shutout in the Schiano era, beating the old record, a 44-0 win over Army on Sept. 14, 2002. The 59-0 total also marked the largest shutout since Rutgers beat Buffalo by the same score on Sept. 9, 2000.
After a pair of three-and-outs on its opening two possessions, Rutgers posted the game's first points on a 30-yard Jeremy Ito (Loma Linda, Calif.) field goal with 4:45 remaining in the first quarter. The kick capped a seven-play, 17-yard drive. The favorable field position came courtesy of a poor snap on a Norfolk State punt that provided RU a first-and-10 at the visitor 30-yard line.
The Scarlet Knights entered the end zone for the first time on their next possession, when Teel found Britt on a 43-yard scoring aerial with just seven seconds expired on the second quarter clock. The long distance connection provided a 10-0 advantage and marked RU's ninth play of 25 yards or longer on the season, including the third between Teel and Britt.
The Spartans second special teams miscue of the afternoon also proved costly for the visitors. Faced with a fourth-and-eight at its own 24-yard line, NSU freshman punter Brian Jackson accepted the long snap and directed a pass at Marquez Davis. Davis grabbed the aerial but came up four yards short of the first down, turning the ball over on downs. On the next play, Teel connected with Underwood on a 28-yard touchdown pass that resulted in a 17-0 lead with 13:42 remaining before halftime.
The Scarlet highlights continued on the home squad's next possession. Starting first-and-10 at its own eight-yard line, Teel connected with Underwood on a 65-yard pass before Rice scampered into the end zone from 22 yards. After the extra point split the uprights, Rutgers owned a 24-0 lead courtesy of three touchdowns scored over five plays in a span of just 42 seconds on the game clock.
RU's lead was further inflated to 31 points, when Rice entered the end zone for a second time. On this occasion, the junior hit pay dirt on a seven-yard run with 6:52 remaining before the break to cap a two-play, 46-yard drive.
Rutgers entered the locker room at the midpoint with a 45-0 advantage after scoring touchdowns on six consecutive possessions. The final two touchdowns of the half were courtesy of a four-yard Rice run and a 34-yard Teel-to-Britt pass. The 42 points were compiled via 12 offensive plays that generated 261 yards and consumed just 1:40 of the game clock.
The Scarlet Knight's lone third quarter score belonged to reserve signal-caller Jabu Lovelace (Tenafly, N.J.), who posted points on a 16-yard run to cap a nine-play, 80-yard drive. The scoring scamper was the sophomore's fourth rush of the drive, as he, sophomore running back Kordell Young (West Deptford, N.J.), and freshman running back Mason Robinson (Somerville, N.J.) got the lion's share of the offensive touches after halftime.
"It was good to get a lot of those young guys in for some substantial playing time," said Schiano. "Everyone on our depth chart that we wanted to get in got some playing time, and you love to see that happen."
Lovelace also provided the home squad's only fourth quarter touchdown, when he carried-in from 16 yards with 11:17 remaining in the game to produce the 59-0 final tally.
When all was said and done, Rutgers accumulated 537 total yards, including 297 passing. Norfolk State managed just 122 yards and netted just 10 yards rushing. Penalties were in abundance for both squads. Rutgers was flagged for nine penalties for 89 yards, while the Spartans committed 16 miscues totaling 127 yards.
After a bye week, the Scarlet Knights return to the gridiron versus Maryland at Rutgers Stadium on Saturday, September 15. The contest will mark the ninth meeting between RU and the Terrapins, and the first since 1942.
POSTGAME NOTES
Team Notes
The 42 points scored by Rutgers in the second quarter set a new BIG EAST record for points in a quarter. It also established a new school record according to the latest statistics available dating back to the 1979 season.
In the second quarter, Rutgers scored 28 points on six plays totaling 50 seconds. The Scarlet Knights 42 second quarter points were compiled via 12 offensive plays that generated 261 yards and consumed just 1:31 of the game clock.
The 45 points scored by Rutgers in the first half were the sixth-most in BIG EAST history.
Rutgers extended its “new” Rutgers Stadium record home winning streak to 10 games.
Rutgers improved to 6-1 in Homecoming games in the Greg Schiano era. The Scarlet Knights have won the last three Homecoming contests. RU is 49-25-1 all-time in Homecoming games.
Rutgers has outscored its opponents by a combined score of 97-7 in the first half this season.
Rutgers’ 59-point output was its school-record sixth-straight game of 30 or more points.
Today’s result marked the second time in the Greg Schiano era that Rutgers scored 50 points or more. The 59 points were the most scored under Schiano at Rutgers.
The shutout was the first since a 34-0 shutout of Navy in Annapolis, Md. on Oct. 14, 2006.
Today’s 59-point margin of victory was the largest during the Greg Schiano era. It was Rutgers’ largest margin of victory since Sept. 9, 2000, when the Scarlet Knights defeated Buffalo, 59-0, at home. It was also the most points the Scarlet Knights have scored in a game since defeating the Bulls 59-0 in ’00.
Today’s attendance of 43,712 was the third-largest crowd in Rutgers history. It marked the fifth consecutive sellout – the longest stretch in school history.
Ten of Rutgers’ 16 touchdowns this season have come on scoring plays of 20 yards or more.
Opponent Yards Result
Buffalo 66 Mike Teel pass complete to Tiquan Underwood
Buffalo 65 Mike Teel pass complete to Tiquan Underwood
Navy 53 Mike Teel pass complete to Kenny Britt
Buffalo 41 Ray Rice rush
Norfolk State 43 Mike Teel pass complete to Kenny Britt
Norfolk State 34 Mike Teel pass complete to Kenny Britt
Buffalo 34 Ray Rice rush
Norfolk State 28 Mike Teel pass complete to Tiquan Underwood
Navy 22 Mike Teel pass complete to Ray Rice
Norfolk State 22 Ray Rice rush
Rutgers has had 16 plays of 25 yards or more this season.
After converting all five attempts in the red zone today, Rutgers remained a perfect 12-for-12 for the season in the red zone.
Player Notes
Junior RB Ray Rice (New Rochelle, N.Y.) scored three touchdowns in the second quarter to move into second place in Rutgers history with 33 career rushing touchdowns. He also moved into a tie with William Green (Boston College 1999-2001) for seventh place in BIG EAST history.
Junior WR Tiquan Underwood (Lawrenceville, N.J.) tied the school record with his third-straight 100-yard game. He matches Bill Powell, who achieved the feat from (10/3/98 – 10/24/98). He had four receptions for 148 yards and a touchdown, all in the first half.
Underwood’s last 19 receptions and 19 of his 20 overall this season have gone for either a first down or a touchdown.
Ten of sophomore WR Kenny Britt’s (Bayonne, N.J.) 11 receptions this season have gone for either a first down or a touchdown. Britt finished with his second career 100-yard game, totaling four receptions for 121 yards and two touchdowns.
Junior QB Mike Teel (Oakland, N.J.) posted his third career three-touchdown game today. His previous two both came against Navy on Sept. 7, 2007 and Oct. 14, 2006. Teel was 8-of-15 passing for 269 yards and three touchdowns. It marked the fifth straight game Teel has gone over the 200-yard mark passing.
Senior DT Eric Foster (Homestead, Fla.) recorded his first career interception in the first half.
Sophomore QB Jabu Lovelace (Tenafly, N.J.) recorded his first two career touchdowns (both rushing) in the second half. Lovelace led Rutgers with 78 yards rushing on eight carries.
Today’s game marked the first career action for true freshman TE Fabian Ruiz (Miami, Fla.), redshirt freshman DB Ramy Nubani (Upper St. Clair, Pa.) and redshirt freshman QB Chris Paul-Etienne (Miami, Fla.).
PLAYER QUOTES
RAY RICE, RB, Jr. # 27
Although we started slow, once we figured things out, our teamed played very well. We were able to make adjustments and began to execute our plays. We felt very prepared for the game today, but we just had to work out the kinks and focus. Once we settled down, our offense did a great job.
The victory felt good to have. It's another stepping stone for us, and now we have to prepare for our next game. The bye week will be good for us. It's a chance to rest any injuries we may have, and work on any further adjustments we need to make when we play Maryland in two weeks.
MIKE TEEL, QB, Sr. # 14
We were not executing in the first quarter, and we just weren't doing what we need to do. But once the second quarter came, we began to execute and it showed how explosive our offense can be. We prepare so much for our games and expect to do well if we take advantage of the opportunities we have.
The bye week will be good to have. Although I'm sure we're all anxious to get back out there and play, bye weeks always allow us to mend our injuries and prepare more for our next opponent.
We still have a long way to go. It's nice to be 3-0, but we still want to continue to improve and keep on working. If we just continue to work hard and work on the little things that will be good. This team is confident, but we know we still have a lot of work left to do.
TIQUAN UNDERWOOD, WR, Jr. # 7
After the first quarter ended, I think all eleven players on offense came together and did their job. The slow start was frustrating, especially dropping some passes. I know drops are part of the game, but it's how you rebound after that which can determine how good you can be. We weren't playing up to our potential in the first quarter, but we rebounded in the second quarter.
During our bye week, we'll work on improving, to get ready for our next challenge against Maryland. Maryland is a tough team and we need to come out strong. We'll prepare just as we do for every game and give 100%.
COACH SCHIANO QUOTES
Overall thoughts on the game:
"I thought we prepared hard. I'm glad that they kept chopping away and that they got going and cooking in the second quarter. I thought the defense played well from tip to tip."
"The good thing is we walk away and we're healthy. We had a great homecoming atmosphere I thought and our football team made strides this week in practice and in the game."
"I thought we threw and caught the ball pretty well even though we dropped a couple. I think Mike {Teel} was on the money. And they weren't just 10 or 12 yard passes, these were down the field passes."
On the big plays:
"The plus 25 plays are great when you get them and killers when they get them."
On backup quarterback Jabu Lovelace getting into the game:
"I thought he played well. He was much more calm and under control than he was against Buffalo. He ran the offense, which is great to see and we need that progression to continue."
On if Rutgers played its best football:
"No. I think we did some good things, but we started slow which wasn't good. We had penalties again and it doesn't matter whether we agreed with them or not, we still had them. We have to keep working on that and get it cleaned up."
On the timing of the bye week and getting young guys into the game:
"I think it probably comes at a good time. It's a chance to get some guys mended up. It was good to get a lot of those young guys in for some substantial playing time. We got every guy on our depth chart that we planned into to the game."
