Photo by: Rich Graessle
Sep 18 | Football
Quarterback accounted for five touchdowns in the win over Morgan State
PISCATAWAY, N.J. ā After accounting for five touchdowns in Rutgers football's win over Morgan State, true freshman quarterback Johnathan Lewis was named Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Week by the league office on Monday. He is the first Scarlet Knight to earn the honor since RU joined the conference for the 2014 season.
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Lewis rushed for four touchdowns against the Bears, the most by a Rutgers quarterback in a game in program history. The East Orange, New Jersey, native also became just the eighth player in school record books to run for four or more touchdowns in a game and the second true freshman in that group (Justise Hairston with four at Navy in 2003). Ray Rice was the last Scarlet Knight to rush for four scores in a single game in his final collegiate appearance in the 2008 International Bowl.
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Having playing in two career games, Lewis is one of five players at the FBS level this season to rush for four or more touchdowns in a game. He is the only freshman on the list.
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Lewis also threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to sophomore tight end Nakia Griffin-Stewart on his first collegiate passing attempt in the second quarter to finish with five touchdowns accounted for. The last Rutgers quarterback responsible for five touchdowns in a game was Gary Nova at Fresno State in the 2013 opener (all passing scores).
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Janarion Grant was the last RU true freshman to pick up a conference weekly honor (American Athletic Conference Special Teams Player of the Week on Sept. 23, 2013).
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Rutgers will open Big Ten play with a road game on Saturday at Nebraska. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network.
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Big Ten Weekly Honors (Sept. 18)
Offensive: Alex Hornibrook, Wisconsin
Defensive: Jacob Huff, Minnesota
Special Teams: Quinn Nordin, Michigan
Co-Freshman: J.K. Dobbins, Ohio State AND Johnathan Lewis, Rutgers
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Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding football, follow the program on Twitter @RFootball.
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Lewis rushed for four touchdowns against the Bears, the most by a Rutgers quarterback in a game in program history. The East Orange, New Jersey, native also became just the eighth player in school record books to run for four or more touchdowns in a game and the second true freshman in that group (Justise Hairston with four at Navy in 2003). Ray Rice was the last Scarlet Knight to rush for four scores in a single game in his final collegiate appearance in the 2008 International Bowl.
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Having playing in two career games, Lewis is one of five players at the FBS level this season to rush for four or more touchdowns in a game. He is the only freshman on the list.
Ā
Lewis also threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to sophomore tight end Nakia Griffin-Stewart on his first collegiate passing attempt in the second quarter to finish with five touchdowns accounted for. The last Rutgers quarterback responsible for five touchdowns in a game was Gary Nova at Fresno State in the 2013 opener (all passing scores).
Ā
Janarion Grant was the last RU true freshman to pick up a conference weekly honor (American Athletic Conference Special Teams Player of the Week on Sept. 23, 2013).
Ā
Rutgers will open Big Ten play with a road game on Saturday at Nebraska. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network.
Ā
Big Ten Weekly Honors (Sept. 18)
Offensive: Alex Hornibrook, Wisconsin
Defensive: Jacob Huff, Minnesota
Special Teams: Quinn Nordin, Michigan
Co-Freshman: J.K. Dobbins, Ohio State AND Johnathan Lewis, Rutgers
Ā
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding football, follow the program on Twitter @RFootball.
Players Mentioned
Saturday, October 24
Tuesday, October 20
Saturday, October 17
Tuesday, October 13
