Norfolk State Spartans vs Rutgers Scarlet Knights Match Player Stats On Sep 07, 2013

SportsDirect Inc. staff
Sep 7, 2013

Rutgers 38, Norfolk State 0: Paul James rushed for 119 yards and three touchdowns in his first career start as the Scarlet Knights brushed aside the visiting Spartans to pick up their first win of the season.

Gary Nova completed 12-of-21 passes for 150 yards and a touchdown with Rutgers (1-1) scoring three times on its first five possessions. Special teams also played a pivotal role in the victory as Quron Pratt blocked a punt to set up the first touchdown of the afternoon.

Savon Huggins chipped in with a rushing score to go along with 96 yards on the ground while Ruhann Peele caught a touchdown pass. Malik Stokes started at quarterback for Norfolk State (0-2) but struggled mightily by throwing nine straight incompletions to open the game before finishing 0-for-10 with an interception.

James recorded his first career touchdown on a 1-yard run to open the scoring. The Scarlet Knights capitalized on a Spartans fumble with Peele hauling in an 8-yard pass with 5:14 remaining in the first quarter. James then rushed for his second touchdown from 10 yards out to give Rutgers a 21-0 halftime lead.

It was more of the same in the second half as Huggins pushed his way in for a touchdown from one yard out before James scored again, this time on a 25-yard scamper with 5:47 remaining in the third quarter. Kyle Federico kicked a 24-yard field goal in the fourth to round out the scoring.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Rutgers snapped a four-game losing streak dating back to last season. … The Scarlet Knights have won 10 games in a row against FCS opponents to improve their all-time record to 32-3. … Rutgers has outscored Norfolk State 128-0 in the three meetings since 2007.