Rutgers University’s football team did what it wanted and needed to do Thursday night, and that was to get the 2011 season off on a positive note.
“We all needed to get the monkey off our back,” said head coach Greg Schiano, who is beginning his 11th season on the banks of the Raritan. “We hadn’t won a game since Oct. 16 [2010].”
The Scarlet Knights disposed of North Carolina Central University, 48-0, at High Point Solutions Stadium, in Piscataway, Sept. 1 to put everyone in a positive frame of mind.
One of the biggest issues that Schiano and his staff had to tackle from last year’s 4- 8 season was the defense. Schiano certainly liked what he saw: attacking Scarlet Knight defenders that sacked the quarterback nine times, forced three fumbles — recovering two, one for a touchdown — and intercepted two passes, returning one for a score.
“I thought we played incredibly hard; everyone was running around at full speed,” said Schiano. “We need to get there where everyone flies around and is physical.
“We’re going to move, not sit still,” he added.
Scott Vallone registered two of the quarterback sacks and had 2.5 tackles for a loss. He and Brandon Jones each had four total tackles to lead a Rutgers defense that used 28 players. Schiano pointed out that he was looking to develop a rotation that would allow the Knights to keep fresh legs on the field.
The highlight for the RU defense was in the third quarter, where in a span 45 seconds it put two touchdowns on the scoreboard, breaking the game completely open. David Milewski tackled NCCU quarterback Michael Johnson in the end zone, forcing a fumble that was recovered by Vallone for the score that gave the Knights a 28-0 lead.
On the very next Eagle possession, Johnson, under pressure, overthrew his receiver, and strong safety Duron Harmon picked it off and returned it 37 yards for the TD that had the Knights on cruise control, leading 35-0.
Former South Brunswick star
Mohammed Sanu, who was slowed by injuries in 2010, let everyone know he is back and going to be a big part of the RU offense. The junior led the Knights with seven pass receptions for 68 yards and a touchdown. He made two big third-down catches on RU’s first scoring drive in the first quarter and caught a 13-yard scoring pass from Chas Dodd that gave Rutgers its 21-0 halftime lead.
“It was very important for us to have a great start [to the season],” said the ex-Viking. “I thought we performed well on defense, offense and special teams.
“I’mvery happy with our win,” he added. “We’re building something.”
As for his season, Sanu said he is going to continue to do the things he is supposed to for the Knights and work on getting better at it.
Sophomore Dodd finished the game 9-17 for 113 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
Backup quarterback Gary Nova, a freshman, also threw 17 passes and completed six, one a 44-yard strike to Brandon Coleman for his first career TD pass.
Schiano said the game plan all along was to get his freshman snaps.
“We needed to get Gary some experience,” he pointed.
Many freshmen made their debut for the Knights, and one was prized recruit Savon Huggins, the Jackson Township running back who went to St. Peter’s Prep in Jersey City. He scored two touchdowns, both in the first half, on runs of one and seven yards. He finished the game with 10 carries for 32 yards. Schiano liked what he saw.
“It was good to see Savon and that burst he had,” he said. “He had some pop.”
Huggins was the first true freshman Rutgers running back since Terrell Willis back in 1993 to score two touchdowns in his very first game.
Rutgers spread the carries around, with Jawan Jamison leading the team with 54 yards on 17 carries, and D. Williams picking up 44 on 11 carries. The team netted 137 yards running the ball.
“We can run better,” said Schiano, adding that it remains to be seen whether one running back will step up and get the bulk of the carries or if it will be “running back by committee.”
Ex-Long Branch great Miles Shuler made his first appearance for the Knights as a punt returner.
What Shuler will remember the most about his first game was walking down the tunnel and onto the field.
“I had a roller coaster of emotions,” he said. “I was thinking, Here we go. This is big-time college football.
“It was exciting running onto the field,” he added. “The fans are back.”
A crowd of more than 40,000 watched Rutgers’ opening-game victory.
Another true freshman making his Scarlet Knight debut from the area was Daryl Stephenson, a defensive tackle.
Another former Sayreville Bomber, linebacker David Milewski is a red-shirt freshman who made his debut Thursday night.
Rutgers hits the road for its next game on Sept. 10 when they visit North Carolina in Chapel Hill. Kick off is 12:30 p.m., and the game will be broadcast on SNY.
The Knights’ next home game at High Point Solutions Stadium is Sept. 24 against Ohio (2 p.m.).
Rutgers will begin its Big East schedule on Oct.1 at Syracuse.