November 29, 2014
By Tom Luicci
ScarletKnights.com
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Rutgers did more than bolster its bowl credentials Saturday.
The Scarlet Knights also made history.
Led by a rejuvenated Gary Nova, who passed for four touchdowns and had three receivers top 100 yards, Rutgers rallied from the biggest deficit in school history to stun Maryland, 41-38, in the regular-season finale before a crowd of 36,673 at Byrd Stadium.
The Scarlet Knights (7-5 overall, 3-5 Big Ten) trailed 35-10 with 2:52 left in the second quarter before storming back for the victory in the second half, getting the game-winning points on Kyle Federico's 25-yard field goal with 6:14 to play.
The biggest comeback in Rutgers history had been at Vanderbilt in 2004, when the Scarlet Knights rallied to win after facing a 27-3 deficit.
But for all of the offensive heroics by Nova and Rutgers, two late breaks were needed for Kyle Flood's team to secure its first Big Ten road win.
Maryland placekicker Brad Craddock missed a potential game-tying field goal from 54 yards with 3:44 to play and Rutgers holding that 41-38 lead. He had made all 18 of his attempts this season, including a 50-yarder earlier in the game.
Rutgers then had to survive a lost fumble by freshman running back Robert Martin at the Scarlet Knights' 45 yard line with under three minutes to play. But on a fourth and two from the Scarlet Knights' 36 yard line, the Terps eschewed a 53-yard field goal try, running Brandon Moss instead.
Moss was stuffed by Rutgers' defense, led by linebacker Kevin Snyder, with 1:01 to play.
Nova passed for 347 yards overall to lead the second-half charge, with Janarion Grant, Andre Patton and Leonte Carroo becoming the first trio of Rutgers receivers ever to top 100 yards in the same game.
Grant had career highs of eight catches for 105 yards, Patton had career highs of eight catches for 101 yards (and two touchdowns) and Carroo topped the 1,000-yard mark for the season with six catches for 102 yards and two scores.
Trailing 35-17 at halftime, Rutgers was jumpstarted immediately by Janarion Grant's 71-yard kickoff return to start the second half. That led to a one-yard touchdown run by Martin to make it 35-24.
Nova then moved Rutgers 70 yards in 10 plays on Rutgers' next possession, finishing the drive with an eight-yard touchdown throw to Carroo. It was 35-31 then, and all Maryland could do - despite having twer o 100-yard rushers and totaling 476 yards of offense - was answer with a 50-yard field goal by Craddock to make it 38-31.
The game-tying touchdown came on Nova's 10-yard touchdown pass to Andre Patton on third and eight with 14:55 to play. That made it 38-38.
Federico's game-winner came at the end of a 10-play, 72-yard drive.
Maryland finished the regular season 7-5 overall and 4-4 in the Big Ten.
