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PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Rutgers football rallied from a 21-point deficit to beat New Mexico, 37-28, Saturday afternoon at High Point Solutions Stadium. The Scarlet Knights (2-1) outscored the Lobos (1-2), 34-7, in the final 45:13 of play, led by a touchdown and a career-high 169 yards rushing from junior running back Robert Martin. It was the first time since 1992 that Rutgers battled back from 21 points down in the first quarter to win.

Explosive plays highlighted the RU scoring, including an 80-yard touchdown scamper by Martin, a 69-yard punt return touchdown by Janarion Grant and a 75-yard throw and catch from quarterback Chris Laviano to wideout Jawuan Harris.

Laviano finished 11-for-27 passing with 152 yards and one touchdown. The junior connected with five different receivers, as the rookie Harris led in receiving with three catches and 94 yards.

After surrendering 31 unanswered points to the Scarlet Knights, New Mexico made it a game with 12:06 to play, freeing running back Richard McQuarley for a 22-yard touchdown. That score made it a 31-28 RU advantage.

The teams would trade possessions after the Lobo score, but the Scarlet Knights added some cushion with a 33-yard field goal from David Bonagura to make it 34-28. RU stalled the Lobos again on their next possession and responded with another field goal, extending the advantage to 37-28 with 3:05 remaining.

New Mexico drove with under a minute to play and set up a 32-yard field goal, but missed the attempt wide left, allowing Rutgers to burn the remaining 43 seconds of clock with a kneel down.

Bonagura also connected on a career-long 41-yard field goal in the contest to finish a career-best 3-for-3 on field goals.

The Lobos jumped out to a three-touchdown lead in the opening quarter, capitalizing on a lost RU fumble and slow start offensively. But the Scarlet Knights shifted into gear with big plays before the quarter ended, as Laviano aired one out up the seam to Harris for a 75-yard touchdown. The score made it 21-7 New Mexico.

In the second quarter, Rutgers continued to rally as the offense found its groove. On the next RU possession, the Scarlet Knights went 82 yards on a methodic 10-play drive, completed by a 21-yard touchdown pass from Grant to senior receiver Andre Patton. Laviano rolled right and flipped the ball to Grant before he lobbed it to a leaping Patton in the back left of the end zone.

The Scarlet Knights converted two big third downs on the drive, including a 14-yard rush by Martin and key wide receiver screen to Harris. RU dropped the curtain on the opening half with two more electrifying plays, including a career-high 80-yard touchdown rush by Martin and a 69-yard punt return touchdown from Grant.

Grant's punt return touchdown was the third of his career and places him fifth on Rutgers' all-time punt return yardage list. Martin's dash up the middle marked the longest rush from scrimmage for the Scarlet Knights since current Atlanta Falcon Mohamed Sanu ran for a 91-yard score in 2010.

RU hit its stride defensively in the second, holding the Lobos scoreless and allowing just 76 yards of total offense. Defensive lineman Julian Pinnix-Odrick and linebacker Greg Jones combined for a sack and tackle for loss, respectively, on back-to-back plays to force New Mexico deep into their own territory, leading to the punt that sprung Grant loose. Pinnix-Oddrick finished with a career-high 12 tackles and now has 3.5 sacks this season.

Later in the second quarter defensive back K.J. Gray collected his first-career interception for the first RU takeaway of the contest. Blessuan Austin gave the RU secondary another takeaway in the fourth quarter, recovering a fumble forced by Darnell Davis. The RU defense held the Lobos to just seven points in the final three quarters of action.

The Scarlet Knights open their Big Ten Conference schedule at noon next Saturday at High Point Solutions Stadium against West Division opponent, Iowa. The two programs are set to meet for the first time, and the game will air on ESPN2.