GARY ON: Rutgers quarterback Gary Nova gets off a pass under pressure from Army’s Zach Watts during the first quarter of the Scarlet Knights’ 28-7 victory yesterday. (
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PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Rutgers spent the two weeks since its first loss of the season — to Kent State — seething through a bye week and suffering through Hurricane Sandy. And the Scarlet Knights were ripe for an upset in their return to the field yesterday, but their defense and special teams saved the day and keyed a 28-7 victory over Army.
“It’s a great feeling,’’ said safety Duron Harmon, who picked off a pitch-out and raced 73 yards in the waning seconds to cap the win. “This community’s been through a lot these past two weeks. Just trying to give them something to cheer about is a great feeling. … We knew we were going to get a win for this community.”
The No. 24 Scarlet Knights (8-1) allowed a touchdown on the game’s opening drive, and were still locked in a tooth-and-nail tie well into the fourth quarter. That’s when stingy defense and spectacular special teams carried them to victory.
“We had a sour taste in our mouths after the Kent State game and the worst part about it was we had to wait to get back on the field and get it out of our mouths,’’ said linebacker Khaseem Greene, who had 22 tackles and one of Rutgers’ three forced fumbles. “For us to come out and as a team [and] do what we did was great to see. I’m definitely happy and excited about the direction of this team.’’
After yesterday’s gut-check win — and Syracuse’s knocking Louisville from the ranks of the unbeaten — the Scarlet Knights’ direction is pointing towards their first Big East title. Two wins will guarantee them a least a share, while three will give them their first BCS berth and likely a trip to the Orange Bowl.
Army (2-8) rode the triple option to a touchdown on the first drive, and the nation’s No. 1 ground game kept the Black Knights on the field for 85 plays to Rutgers’ season-low 52 for just 252 yards.
But Rutgers’ Marcus Cooper and Jamal Merrell blocked field goals in the first half, and Jawan Jamison — who carried 22 times for 90 yards despite leaving briefly in the second half with a sprained ankle — completed a halfback option pass to receiver Brandon Coleman for a 16-yard touchdown to leave the score tied 7-7 at halftime.
It was still knotted when Chris Boldt shanked a 9-yard punt to set Rutgers up on the Army 45 early in the fourth quarter. Three plays later, quarterback Gary Nova (14-of-17 for 123 yards) hit Coleman for a 31-yard touchdown. Coleman lined up in the slot and took advantage of the matchup on linebacker Justin Tremble, forced into duty as a safety due to injuries.
Rutgers forced a three-and-out on the next series, and snapper Andrew Ellerson — the son of Army coach Ralph, forced into punt-snapping due to injuries — air-mailed his snap over Boldt, with the Scarlet Knights taking over on the 1. Savon Huggins scored two plays later, with Harmon picking off a pitch from backup quarterback A.J. Schurr and racing in with just 40 seconds left.
“We can only hope that we gave the people who’ve been put out by the hurricane a little bit of an escape for three hours today,’’ said Rutgers coach Kyle Flood, whose team also raised money and provided coats and clothing.
“Obviously, the kicking game is a disaster,’’ the elder Ellerson said, before summing up, “The fourth quarter turned into a bit of a clown act.’’