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Move over Mike Teel. Another Don Bosco quarterback is atop the leaderboard for most touchdown passes in school history. Gary Nova threw for four touchdowns Saturday against Tulane (1-4), two more than Teel. Three of Nova's TD passes went to fellow Don Bosco alum Leonte Carroo, while the highlight of the day was a 93-yard toss to Kansas transfer Andrew Turzilli.
The Scarlet Knights mustered 462 total yards of offense against Tulane, including 171 on the ground in the first game after a season-ending injury to RB Paul James. Desmon Peoples got the start for the Knights, running for 83 yards on 21 carries, while Justin Goodwin added 82 yards on 12 attempts. Gary Nova continues to move on from the disastrous five-interception game against Penn State with another solid day slinging the ball. He finished the day with 291 yards on 14 of 21 passing, four touchdowns and one interception.
Nova completed passes to six different receivers on the day, but he should definitely thank Leonte Carroo for his efforts. The junior wide receiver had seven catches for 140 yards and three touchdowns. Tyler Kroft was out with an injury, with Nick Arcidiacono filling in and catching one pass for 11 yards. RU shot out to a 21-point with over nine minutes to go until halftime, and
RU surged to a 21-point lead with over nine minutes to go until halftime, and defensively, Rutgers did a good job containing the Green Wave the rest of the way. Besides an 86-yard run by Sherman Badie, Tulane had trouble getting into a rhythm. The Knights' defense had four sacks on the day, three on Devin Powell who came in to relieve an injured Tanner Lee.
A controversy stirred late in the third when S Johnathan Aiken was called for a penalty.Tulane QB Devin Powell was running along the sideline when Aiken tackled him out of bounds. Refs called a targeting penalty on Aiken and ejected him from the game, which means he will also have to sit out the first half next week against Michigan. From all angles, it appeared to be an atrocious call as Aiken tackled Powell in bounds, as well as led with his shoulder. It's a blow for the Scarlet Knights as Aiken was already starting for the injured Delon Stephenson.
With the win, Rutgers sweeps the non-conference slate and needs only two more wins to become bowl eligible. Next week, the Michigan Wolverines visit Piscataway for the annual blackout game at the Birthplace.