PISCATAWAY, NJ - The Scarlet Knights battled back
from an early deficit, but Rutgers' (3-2, 1-1 BIG EAST) comeback bid fell
just short in a 27-14 decision against West Virginia (5-1, 2-0 BIG EAST) Oct.
8 at a rain-soaked Rutgers Stadium.
The Mountaineers struck first, as Thandi Smith blocked a punt on Rutgers'
18-yard line, then scooped up the ball and scored from one yard out, giving
West Virginia a 7-0 lead with 4:37 remaining in the opening period. Then, in
the closing minute of the quarter, Steve Slaton scored on an 11-yard rush, pushing
the Mountaineers' advantage to 14-0.
WVU quarterback Adam Bednarik hooked up with Brandon Myles for a 21-yard TD
through the air, making the score 21-0 with 7:57 to play in the first half.
The Scarlet Knights responded during their next possession, driving 80 yards
in 14 plays and using 6:51 of the clock. Red-shirt freshman Mike Teel (Oakland, NJ) completed
4-of-5 passes to three different receivers, freshman Tiquan Underwood (Lawrenceville,
NJ) exploded for an 11-yard burst up the middle, and fullback Brian Leonard
(Gouverneur, NY) carried the ball nine times for 46 yards, including the drive-capping
touchdown from one yard out, pulling RU to within 21-7 with 1:06 remaining before
halftime.
WVU's Pat McAfee connected on a 45-yard field goal less than five minutes
into the second half, making the score 24-7. But, once again, Rutgers was able
to respond on the very next possession. Quarterback Ryan Hart (Coral Springs,
FL) directed the Scarlet Knights on another long drive, one that consumed 66
yards on 15 plays, and 6:39 of the clock. Most importantly, the drive resulted
in another one-yard touchdown for Leonard, pulling Rutgers within 10 (24-14)
with 4:00 on the clock in the third quarter.
It remained a 10-point game for almost 15 minutes, until WVU's McAfee
made a 35-yard field goal attempt with 4:12 left to play. RU, now needing two
touchdowns, drove down the field, but an interception by Dee McCann in the closing
moments ended the Scarlet Knights' comeback hopes.
Hart completed nine of 16 passes, while Teel had career bests in completions
(nine), attempts (15) and yards (105). Leonard became the 11th Scarlet Knight
to eclipse 2,000 career rushing yards (2,056) with his 76 yards on 23 carries,
and moved into 10th place on the all-time RU list. Tres Moses (Delray Beach,
FL) also moved up the career charts, climbing to third in career receiving yards
(2,092) after a four-catch, 34-yard afternoon. Clark Harris (Manahawkin, NJ)
led the RU receiving corps with his 53 yards on four receptions.
Sophomore Ron Girault (Spring Valley, NY) and freshman Courtney Greene (New
Rochelle, NY) led the RU defense with 10 tackles apiece, including 2.0 tackles
for loss for Girault. Junior Devraun Thompson (Piscataway, NJ) added eight stops
and 1.5 TFL.
Rutgers will return to action Saturday, Oct. 15, when they travel to Syracuse,
NY, to face the Orange at 12:00 p.m.
POSTGAME NOTES
Leonard Eclipses the 2,000-yard Mark
With 76 rushing yards against WVU, Brian Leonard became just the 11th player
in Rutgers history to pass the 2,000-yard rushing mark and moved into 10th place
on the all-time RU list. Leonard passed Curt Edwards (2,046 yards from 1974-75)
and is now in 10th place on the all-time list with 2,056 yards.
Leonard Moves up in Career Scoring
With his two touchdowns vs. WVU, Brian Leonard has now scored 188 career points,
which passes Mike Fisher (178 points from 1974-77) and puts him in eighth place
on the Rutgers all-time scoring list. Next on the list in seventh place is former
PK John Benestad (1990-93) with 191 points.
Leonard Moves up in Career Rushing TDS
With two rushing TDs vs. WVU, Brian Leonard now has 21 career rushing TDs, which
moves him into a tie for ninth place on the RU all-time list with Frank Kelley
(1916-18). Leonard moves ahead of Terrell Willis (1993-95), who was recognized
at halftime of today's game upon his induction into the Rutgers Football
Hall of Fame, and Bruce Presley (1992-95). Next on the list in eighth place
is Bryant Mitchell (1966-68), who rushed for 22 TDs.
Underwood Rushes
True freshman WR Tiquan Underwood made his debut at QB vs. Pittsburgh on Sept.
30, taking the direct snap from center and rushing eight times for 28 yards.
Rutgers used the same look at times vs. WVU and Underwood gained 37 yards on
eight carries, including two first-quarter first downs.
Hart Adds to Career Totals
Ryan Hart became Rutgers' all-time leader in career passing yards with
7,273 yards vs. Pittsburgh. His 66 yards passing vs. WVU pushes that mark to
7,339 yards.
Hart is now'?
First in career yards 7,339
First in completions 657
Second in attempts 1,096
Teel Career Highs
Redshirt freshman QB Mike Teel set career highs in attempts (15), completions
(nine), and yards (105).
He matched his career long pass with a first-quarter, 26-yard strike to TE Clark
Harris.
Moses and Leonard Extend Reception Streak
With an 18-yard reception in the second quarter vs. WVU, senior WR Tres Moses
extended his consecutive receptions streak to 27 games. With a four-yard, first-quarter
reception, junior RB Brian Leonard extended his consecutive reception streak
to 27 games. The 27 consecutive games put Moses and Leonard in a tie for seventh
place all-time in BIG EAST history with Ernest Wilford of Virginia Tech (2000-2003).
Former Syracuse WR Johnnie Morant (2000-2003) is in sixth place with 29 consecutive
receptions.
Moses, Leonard Career Receiving Marks
With his four catches for 34 yards against West Virginia, WR Tres Moses moved
into third place on the RU career receiving yards list (2,092), passing Jim
Guarantano (2,065, 1989-92).
Career Receiving Yards
Moses Third 2,092
Career Receptions
Moses Second 169
Leonard Fifth 132
Box Score (Final)
WEST VIRGINIA vs RUTGERS (Oct 08, 2005 at Piscataway, NJ)
Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 Score
----------------- -- -- -- -- -----
WEST VIRGINIA....... 14 7 3 3 - 27 Record: (5-1,2-0)
RUTGERS............. 0 7 7 0 - 14 Record: (3-2,1-1)
Scoring Summary:
1st 04:37 WVU - SMITH, Thandi 1 yd blocked punt return (MCAFEE, Pat kick),
WVU 7 - RUTGERS 0
00:51 WVU - SLATON, Steve 11 yd run (MCAFEE, Pat kick), 5-28 1:44,
WVU 14 - RUTGERS 0
2nd 07:57 WVU - MYLES, Brandon 21 yd pass from BEDNARIK, Adam (MCAFEE, Pat kick), 11-93 4:09
WVU 21 - RUTGERS 0
01:06 RUTGERS - LEONARD, Brian 1 yd run (ITO, Jeremy kick), 14-80 6:51
WVU 21 - RUTGERS 7
3rd 10:46 WVU - MCAFEE, Pat 45 yd field goal, 9-37 4:04
WVU 24 - RUTGERS 7
04:00 RUTGERS - LEONARD, Brian 1 yd run (ITO, Jeremy kick), 15-66 6:39
WVU 24 - RUTGERS 14
4th 04:12 WVU - MCAFEE, Pat 35 yd field goal, 9-68 5:00,
WVU 27 - RUTGERS 14
WVU RUTGERS
FIRST DOWNS................... 15 17
RUSHES-YARDS (NET)............ 43-236 40-124
PASSING YDS (NET)............. 78 171
Passes Att-Comp-Int........... 11-9-0 31-18-3
TOTAL OFFENSE PLAYS-YARDS..... 54-314 71-295
Fumble Returns-Yards.......... 0-0 0-0
Punt Returns-Yards............ 2-30 2-15
Kickoff Returns-Yards......... 2-58 3-67
Interception Returns-Yards.... 3-11 0-0
Punts (Number-Avg)............ 4-45.8 5-32.4
Fumbles-Lost.................. 0-0 1-1
Penalties-Yards............... 5-34 7-45
Possession Time............... 26:16 33:44
Third-Down Conversions........ 5 of 12 8 of 17
Fourth-Down Conversions....... 0 of 0 2 of 3
Red-Zone Scores-Chances....... 3-4 2-2
Sacks By: Number-Yards........ 2-12 3-12
RUSHING: WEST VIRGINIA-SLATON, Steve 25-139; GWALTNEY, Jason 6-57;
BEDNARIK, Adam 7-26; SCHMITT, Owen 2-16; REYNAUD, Darius 1-1; WHITE, Pat 2-minus
3. RUTGERS-LEONARD, Brian 23-76; UNDERWOOD, Tiqu 8-37; HART, Ryan 4-18; RICE,
Ray 4-0; TEEL, Mike 1-minus 7.
PASSING: WEST VIRGINIA-BEDNARIK, Adam 9-10-0-78; WHITE, Pat 0-1-0-0.
RUTGERS-HART, Ryan 9-16-1-66; TEEL, Mike 9-15-2-105.
RECEIVING: WEST VIRGINIA-SLATON, Steve 3-35; SCHMITT, Owen 3-13; MYLES,
Brandon 2-26; BAILEY, Josh 1-4. RUTGERS-HARRIS, Clark 4-53; MOSES, Tres 4-34;
LEONARD, Brian 4-15; TUCKER, Shawn 2-24; RICE, Ray 2-11; FOSTER, Willie 1-20;
UNDERWOOD, Tiqu 1-14.
INTERCEPTIONS: WEST VIRGINIA-MCCANN, Dee 2-7; LORELLO, Mike 1-4.
RUTGERS-None.
FUMBLES: WEST VIRGINIA-None. RUTGERS-RICE, Ray 1-1.
Stadium: Rutgers Stadium Attendance: 21717
Kickoff time: 12:06pm End of Game: 3:17pm Total elapsed time: 3:11
Officials: Referee: G. McGinn; Umpire: M. Semcheski; Linesman: M. Fitzgerald;
Line judge: T. Reese; Back judge: M. McAnaney; Field judge: B. Vasconcells;
Side judge: B. Platt; Scorer: RUTGERS;
Temperature: 73 F Wind: S 14 mph Weather: Rainy, heavy at time
ID-353301
