Gary Nova Named BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week
Oct 22 | Football
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (October 22, 2012) – The BIG EAST Conference announced Monday that Rutgers sophomore quarterback Gary Nova (Elmwood Park, N.J.) has been named the conference’s offensive player of the week. Nova earned his second offensive player of the week award from the BIG EAST in 2012 after throwing four touchdown passes in Saturday’s 35-10 victory at Temple.
Nova was 17-of-27 passing for 232 yards and four touchdowns against the Owls. Nova tossed all four scoring passes in the second half. His string of 164 consecutive passes without an interception came to an end on the final play of the first half.
Nova is the 11th quarterback in school history to pass for 3,000 yards in a career. He has 3,056 career passing yards, 11th in school history. Nova has 26 career touchdown passes in just 17 games played - the eighth-highest total in RU history. Nova’s 239 career completions rank ninth in school history while his 15 touchdown passes in 2012 are tied for ninth on the single-season touchdown list.
In addition, junior defensive tackle Jamil Merrell (Bear, Del.) was named to the conference weekly honor roll for his performance at Temple. Merrell had three tackles, 2.0 TFL and a key sack and forced fumble that was returned 20 yards for a touchdown by Khaseem Greene (Elizabeth, N.J.).
Rutgers (7-0, 4-0 BIG EAST), ranked No 15 in the latest BCS Standings, return home this week to face Kent State (6-1, 4-0 MAC). It is Homecoming weekend in Piscataway with kickoff at 3:30 p.m. from High Point Solutions Stadium.
Tickets remain for the game and are available at ScarletKnights.com or by calling the Rutgers Fan Management Center at 1-866-445-GORU. Fans can stay after Saturday’s game for a fireworks display, provided by the Rutgers University Alumni Association.
