Sept. 5, 2015

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63 13
High Point Solutions Stadium | Attendance: 47,453

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By Tom Luicci
ScarletKnights.com

PISCATAWAY, N.J. - The text from one record-holding Rutgers wide receiver to the school's newest one was waiting for Leonte Carroo when he returned to his locker room following the Scarlet Knights' 63-13 opening game victory over Norfolk State today.

LUICCI: The Rush is On For Rutgers Ground Game

Mohammed Sanu of the Cincinnati Bengals, who holds Rutgers' career record for receptions and the single-season mark for catches, wanted to welcome Carroo to the club.

"He (texted) me `congratulations. I'm proud of you,' " said Carroo. "That was an honor to have another great wide receiver text me that."

Despite sitting out the first half because of a curfew violation, Carroo managed to dazzle the crowd 47,453 at High Point Solutions Stadium over a span of 7:47 in a display that was as impressive as any that a Rutgers wide receiver has put on. The senior hauled in three third-quarter touchdown passes from Chris Laviano during that time - 55, 56 and 18 yards - to propel the Scarlet Knights to their highest opening-game point total since 1993.

The second of those touchdown receptions gave Carroo the school's career record in that category. He now has 22 and counting (in 24 games as a wide receiver).

"One of the things that makes Leonte the player that he is he loves to compete, and when he doesn't get an opportunity to compete on the first half, you can pretty much assure yourself he'll be ready to go in the second half and he certainly was," head coach Kyle Flood said.

On a day when all three phases played a major role - the offense produced 539 yards, the defense limited Norfolk State to minus-3 yards rushing on 23 carries and Janarion Grant returned the second-half kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown - the Scarlet Knights also found the answer to their ongoing search for a starting quarterback.

They may have two of them.

Hayden Rettig got the start and was sharp, going 9-of-11 for 110 yards with a touchdown pass and a five-yard touchdown run to stake Rutgers to a 21-13 halftime lead. Laviano took over in the second half and threw four passes. He completed all of them, with three going for touchdowns to Carroo, as the Scarlet Knights erupted for 28 third-quarter points.

"I thought they both played great, Hayden showing some running ability and Chris throwing those three touchdowns in a row," said running back Paul James. "It was fun to watch both of them."

Rettig delivered a perfect response after Norfolk State scored on its first possession for a 7-0 lead, engineering an eight-play, 68-yard drive that ended with his 13-yard touchdown pass to tight end Matt Flanagan. He had Rutgers in command at 21-7 before the Spartans answered with a touchdown (and what would be their final points of the game) just 1:37 before halftime.

All Laviano did in his one quarter-plus of work was produce a 637.3 quarterback rating.

"We're still gathering information," Flood said of the quarterback competition. "I'm really pleased with the way both those guys are playing. They are certainly not making it easy on me. Both played at a high level and we'll go back and we'll watch the film and decide here what direction we're going to go as we move forward."

Carroo said "the team reacts well to both quarterbacks."

His return, though, coincided with Laviano coming in, and the two made it a memorable reunion. Even Carroo was impressed by what the two accomplished in that span of 7:47, with Carroo leaping over a defensive back to haul in one of the scoring passes.

"Yes, that was pretty impressive," the senior said. "I think it was my emotions carrying me through those plays. I just really wanted to go out there and make a play for my teammates. I was really upset I couldn't be out there for them in the first half.

"In the locker room at halftime when Chris (Laviano) and I were warming up, he looked at me and I looked at him and we said `let's go make plays.' That's what we did."

The same could be said throughout a lineup that featured 12 players making their first college start. Even the deep stable of running backs was kept happy, with Josh Hicks rushing for 118 yards and two touchdowns, James adding 82 rushing yards and Robert Martin contributing 69. Justin Goodwin had just two carries but one resulted in a three-yard touchdown run.

"Our backs did great, but it all starts with the offensive line. They played great," said fullback Sam Bergen. "When you have a lot of different areas playing well these are the kind of statistics you get.

"Today was awesome. It was a great win. We were firing on all cylinders - offense, defense, special teams."