Behind Net-like Sanu, Rutgers Dominates Bobcats

Junior WR hauls in sixteen passes for 176 yards and two touchdowns

If we thought last week’s performance by Rutgers wide receiver Mohamed Sanu was dominant, we completely undersold him. After setting career records a week ago with thirteen receptions for 119 yards and a touchdown, he reestablished himself as an all-America candidate yesterday in a 38-26 victory over a BCS buster-caliber team in Ohio University with sixteen catches for 176 yards and two touchdowns. Rutgers improved to 2-1 on the day, while the Bobcats dropped to 3-1, despite a wonderful outing from quarterback Tyler Tettleton.

Sanu set a Big East record in receptions in a single game and shattered personal records in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns. RU QB Chas Dodd completed twenty-two passes – sixteen to Sanu and one to six other receivers.

Rutgers started with a very impressive drive that resulted in a Savon Huggins fumble at Ohio’s nine-yard line. Ohio fumbled too on their possession and Rutgers marched twenty-nine yards for a touchdown. Ohio responded with a three-and0out, but a Dodd interception on the Knights’ third play from scrimmage led to a Bobcat touchdown. Rutgers answered with an impressive drive, started by a Jawan Jamison thirty-yard run. Jamison would rush for a career high ninety-seven yards on twenty-nine carries. However, at the conclusion of the possession, placekicker San San Te blew an easy field goal and the game remained even at 7-7.

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On the Knights’ next possession, Huggins capped a marvelous drive with a three-yard touchdown. LB Steve Beauharnis recovered a fumble on a solid Ohio drive, but a decent possession in which backup QB Gary Nova took over resulted in a punt. However, the punt was fumbled and recovered by Ka’Lial Glaud, who fumbled and Marcus Cooper recovered, rushing in for a Rutgers touchdown. Ohio answered with a field goal and a touchdown, but Dodd hooked up with Sanu to make it 28-17 early in the third quarter. Both teams would interchange field goals and Dodd would lead Rutgers down for a touchdown – a completion to Paul Carrezola – to make it 38-20. Ohio would have the final say as a late touchdown but missed two-point conversion resulted in the final score of 38-26.

Dodd finished 22-31 for 232 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. Rutgers faces Syracuse in the Carrier Dome next week in the Big East opener.

By: Justin Sontupe
BigEast-fans.com Rutgers Correspondent