RUTGERS (3-4, 2-2) 14, PURDUE (3-4, 1-3) 12
HIGH POINT SOLUTIONS STADIUM • PISCATAWAY, N.J.
OCTOBER 21, 2017 • ATTENDANCE: 38,278
PARTICIPATION
- First career start (1): WR Mohamed Jabbie
- Jabbie became the 14th Scarlet Knight to make his first career start this season and fourth different wide receiver in the group.
TEAM NOTES
- Rutgers beat Purdue in the first meeting between the programs. The Boilermakers were the 171st different opponent for the Scarlet Knights, with Rutgers improving to 103-67-1 when it plays a team for the first time. In addition, RU has now played 12 of the 13 other teams in the Big Ten, just not having played Northwestern.
- Rutgers now has six Big Ten wins, with three of those coming against teams from Indiana (Indiana 2-1, Purdue 1-0).
- Rutgers improved to 54-30-2 all-time on Homecoming, a tradition that dates back to 1933.
- Rutgers won consecutive Big Ten games for the first time since joining the conference in 2014.
- Rutgers did not commit a turnover for the first time this season and for the third time under head coach Chris Ash.
- Rutgers recorded two interceptions for its fourth multi-pick game this season. The defense now has nine interceptions through seven games after totaling eight in 12 games last season.
- The 12 points permitted were the least amount allowed for Rutgers in a conference game since a 31-6 victory over USF as a member of the American Athletic Conference in 2013. The previous low in a Big Ten contest was allowing 13 against Penn State in the first game in the league in 2014.
- Rutgers passed for under 100 yards and won a game for the first time since defeating Eastern Michigan in 2013.
- The defense held Purdue to 3-of-15 on third downs and has held opponents to 30 percent overall this season (32-of-106). In addition, the Boilermakers were held to 1-for-4 on fourth down.
- Rutgers allowed only one sack and has only permitted six total this season in seven games.
- Rutgers picked up one rushing touchdown to bring the season mark to 15 after having eight last season.
- Rutgers totaled 11 pass break-ups for the first time since having that many versus Washington State in 2015.
- Opponents are now 0-for-3 when attempting on-side kicks versus Rutgers this season.
- Purdue had an average starting field position of the 21-yard line compared to the 31 for Rutgers.
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
- P Ryan Anderson
- Punted a career-high 12 times with four punts of at least 50 yards and long of 61 yards.
- Pinned four punts inside the 20-yard line.
- Now has a 44.3 yards per punt average on the season.
- RB Raheem Blackshear
- Recorded a 35-yard touchdown reception for fourth total score this season.
- RB Gus Edwards
- Scored a 74-yard touchdown on the first drive of the game. It was the longest rush by a Scarlet Knight against Big Ten competition since joining the conference in 2014, surpassing Paul James' 72-yard run versus Michigan State in 2015.
- The 74-yard run was the longest by a Rutgers player this season overall and longest since Robert Martin gained 80 yards versus New Mexico in 2016.
- Matched his career-long run, also done with Miami (Fla.) against Florida A&M in 2016.
- Finished with a career-high 94 rushing yards.
- DB K.J. Gray
- Recorded second interception in as many weeks and third career. Added two pass break-ups.
- Totaled a career-high 10 tackles.
- DB Damon Hayes
- Had two passes defended with one interception and one break-up.
- Ties the team lead with six pass break-ups this season.
- LB Trevor Morris
- Had a game-high 12 tackles to lead or tie the team high for the sixth time this season.
- QB Giovanni Rescigno
- Improved to 2-0 in starts at quarterback this season.
- Recorded sixth career passing touchdown in the third quarter.
- TE Jerome Washington
- Collected a team-high three receptions to bring season total to 19. Rutgers tight ends combined for 16 catches last season.
- DB Isaiah Wharton
- Knocked away three passes to improve career total to 21 pass break-ups.
