SportsDirect Inc. staff
Oct 15, 2011
Freshman Gary Nova passed for a pair of touchdowns and completed a key third-down pass late to help Rutgers edge visiting Navy, 21-20, on Saturday.
Jawan Jamison rushed for over 100 yards and a touchdown for the Scarlet Knights (5-1), who have won four straight en route to their best start since 2006.
Nova, whose interception in the first quarter was returned for a touchdown and helped the Midshipmen take the lead, brought his team back in the second half. The New Jersey native found Quron Pratt for a 10-yard score with 4:00 left in the third to pull Rutgers within 17-14.
Nova was at it again on the first drive of the fourth, finding Tim Wright for a 20-yard touchdown on third down to put the Scarlet Knights up, 21-17.
The Midshipmen (2-4) settled for a field goal that made it 21-20 with 8:42 left and immediately got another chance to take the lead, when linebacker Caleb King intercepted Nova’s pass at the Rutgers’ 18-yard line.
Navy failed to gain a first down with the favorable field position and the ensuing 34-yard field goal attempt was blocked by Rutgers.
The Scarlet Knights were able to run out most of the clock from there thanks to a third-and-8 conversion by Nova, who hit Pratt on the sideline with a 20-yard strike.