Sept. 10, 2016 Recap | Box Score | Quotes | Photo Gallery
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RUTGERS (1-1) 52, HOWARD (0-2) 14
HIGH POINT SOLUTIONS STADIUM • PISCATAWAY, NEW JERSEY
SEPTEMBER 10, 2016 • ATTENDANCE: 45,245
PARTICIPATION
• Collegiate debut (6): DL Ron'Dell Carter, DB K.J. Gray, DB Damon Hayes, QB Tylin Oden, QB Giovanni Rescigno, OL Kamaal Seymour
• Gray, Hayes and Oden became the sixth, seventh and eighth true freshmen to see action so far this season, joining WR Dacoven Bailey, LB Tyreek Maddox-Williams, PK Jared Smolar, DB Lawrence Stevens and RB Trey Sneed.
• The Scarlet Knights have had 15 players make their collegiate debut in the first two games of the season.
TEAM NOTES
• Rutgers won its seventh consecutive home opener to improve to 102-36-10 all-time in the first home game of the season. The Scarlet Knights have won their past seven openers by the margin of 296-52.
• Chris Ash earned his first win as a head coach.
• Chris Ash made his debut as the Scarlet Knights' head coach at High Point Solutions Stadium. He had previously coached games in Piscataway in 2013 with Arkansas and in 2015 with Ohio State.
• LB Tyreek Maddox-Williams blocked a punt in the second quarter, the 45th blocked kick and 22nd deflected punt for Rutgers since 2009. That total leads the nation over that time period.
• Rutgers scored 52 unanswered points to finish the game, the most unanswered since scoring 56 in a 2006 game against Howard.
• Rutgers rushed for 375 yards, the most for the team since having 404 at Army in 2007.
• Rutgers allowed just five yards of total offense in the second half. The team had a second half shutout for the first time since against Norfolk State last season.
• Rutgers improved to 13-0 all-time against MEAC opponents and 5-0 versus Howard by a 217-49 margin.
• The game-time temperature of 89 degrees was the warmest for a Rutgers game since Aug. 29, 2013 at Fresno State (92 degrees). It was the hottest game-time temperature for a home game since Sept. 2, 2010 versus Norfolk State, which was also 89 degrees.
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
WR Carlton Agudosi
• Reeled in his second career touchdown in the third quarter.
DB Anthony Cioffi
• Broke up two passes to bring career total to 12, most among players on the roster.
WR Jawuan Harris
• Notched first career reception in the second quarter and scored first career touchdown in the fourth quarter.
• Led the team with 46 receiving yards.
WR Janarion Grant
• Had two rushing touchdowns and a kickoff return for a score to mark first career three-touchdown game. It was the first time scoring twice on offense in a game.
• Moved into fourth in school history with 248 all-purpose on the day to raise career total to 4,004. Has 10 career games with at least 150 all-purpose yards.
• Had an 84-yard return in the first quarter for fifth career kickoff return touchdown. Now has seven career kickoff returns of at least 70 yards.
• Now owns 11 career touchdowns scored (five kickoff return, three rushing, two punt return, one receiving) overall plus one passing.
• Rushed for a career-high 105 rushing yards to become the first Rutgers wide receiver to top the century mark on the ground since Jeremy Deering had 166 yards versus Syracuse in 2010.
• Recorded a career-long 58 yard rushing attempt.
QB Chris Laviano
• Had fifth career game with at least three touchdowns passes.
QB Tylin Oden
• Became the first Rutgers first true freshman quarterback to see action since Gary Nova in 2011.
• Averaged 5.8 yards on 10 carries with a long of 30 yards.
DL Julian Pinnix-Odrick
• Had two sacks for first career multiple-sack game.
• Tied the team high with six tackles, adding a pass break-up and a quarterback hurry.
QB Giovanni Rescigno
• Rushed for a 42-yard touchdown on first career carry.
WR Andre Patton
• Recorded sixth career touchdown in second quarter.
DB Isaiah Wharton
• Notched second career interception in addition to a tackle-for-loss.