Rutgers-Tulane Box Score 
By Tom Luicci
ScarletKnights.com
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (Sept. 27. 2014) -- Rutgers' final tune-up before a run of seven straight Big Ten games was exactly what the Scarlet Knights were looking for - and exactly what quarterback Gary Nova needed.
In control from the start, Rutgers rode Nova's record-breaking four touchdown performance, with three of those scoring passes going to wide receiver Leonte Carroo, to cruise to a 31-6 victory today over Tulane before a crowd of 48,361 at High Point Solutions Stadium.
The Scarlet Knights, 4-1 overall, finished 4-0 in non-conference play, their first unbeaten showing out of league since the 2009 season. They host Michigan next Saturday.
Nova's 60th career touchdown pass, which enabled him to surpass Mike Teel's former school record of 59, was a 93-yard completion to Andrew Turzilli in the second quarter. He added his fourth touchdown pass of the game (No. 61 of his career) on a roll out with 6:57 to play, hitting a crossing Carroo in the back of the end zone. Rutgers outscored Tulane (1-4), 10-0, in the second half.
Nova finished 14-of-21 for 291 yards with those four touchdown passes and one interception.
Carroo had seven catches for 140 yards and three scores.
Desmon Peoples led the rushing attack with career highs of 83 yards on 21 carries, adding two catches for 50 yards. Justin Goodwin added 82 yards on 12 carries.
The Scarlet Knights' defense, meanwhile, added four sacks.
Nova's early entry into the Rutgers record book, off what was one of the sharpest halves of the senior quarterback's career, highlighted a first half that was dominated by the Scarlet Knights for all but one play -- setting the tone for what was to come.
As it was, on the strength of Nova's three touchdown passes, Rutgers had a 21-6 halftime lead over Tulane, and the school record book actually had two new entries - from the same play.
Nova, who was 9-of-9 for 195 yards through the first two quarters, staked Rutgers to a 14-0 first quarter lead by throwing two touchdown passes to Carroo.
The first, a beautiful lob over the outstretched arms of cornerback Lorenzo Doss that wound up as a three-yard touchdown pass to Carroo, capped a 53-yard drive that gave the Scarlet Knights a 7-0 lead after 7:29 had elapsed in the game.
Nova's second touchdown pass to Carroo was a 25-yarder on the next series, a strike in which he caught the junior wide receiver in stride in the end zone. That finished an 80-yard drive covered in three plays, thanks in large part to a 46-yard completion from Nova to Carroo one play before the touchdown pass that made it 14-0.
The record breaker - Nova's 60th career touchdown pass - was a 93-yard pass in stride to Andrew Turzilli that made it 21-0 in the second quarter. Turzilli caught the ball at the 22 yard line and raced untouched the rest of the way for his first touchdown at Rutgers.
The play was the longest from scrimmage in stadium history, and capped a 99-yard, three-play drive.
Tulane, which lost starting quarterback Tanner Lee midway through the second quarter to an undisclosed injury, produced its only highlight of the first half shortly thereafter when Sherman Badie raced 86 yards for a touchdown after bouncing a running play outside. He raced down the right sideline without interference or the threat from a Rutgers defender.
The extra point was missed, making it 21-6.
Minus Paul James, out for the year with a season-ending injury, Rutgers' running back tandem of Desmon Peoples and Justin Goodwin combined for just 50 yards on 17 carries. But the defense produced three sacks to keep Tulane playing from behind most of the half.
Devin Powell, who replaced Lee, was 3-of-6 passing for 36 yards during his time in the first half.
