Box Score Photo Gallery
PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Paul James rushed for 119 yards and three touchdowns, and host Rutgers took advantage of outstanding field position throughout the day in a 38-0 win over Norfolk State before 49,111 fans on Saturday afternoon at High Point Solutions Stadium.
The Scarlet Knights improve to 1-1 on the year, while NSU falls to 0-2 heading into its bye week.
In the third meeting between the schools, Rutgers' first five scoring drives all began in NSU territory thanks largely to Spartan miscues. NSU punter Dalton Fraser's second boot of the day was blocked by Anthony Cioffi, setting Rutgers up at the Spartans' 15. Five plays later, James scored on his first TD of the day on a 1-yard TD run.
On NSU's next possession, Rutgers' Steve Longa recovered a fumble by Rolandan Finch at the Spartans' 19. Three plays later, Gary Nova tossed an 8-yard scoring pass to Ruhann Peele to give the Scarlet Knights a 14-0 lead.
Rutgers continued to get excellent field position after backing NSU up into its own end, taking over after a short punt at the Spartans' 33 on its last possession of the first quarter. James carried on the last four plays of the next drive, capping it off with a 10-yard TD run on the final play of the opening quarter to extend the lead to 21-0.
The Spartans' defense stiffened in the second quarter, keeping the Scarlet Knights off the scoreboard. Marcell Coke notched an interception of Gary Nova and Lynden Trail's sack of Nova thwarted another drive. Rutgers' Kyle Federico missed a 38-yard field goal in the closing seconds of the quarter to keep the score at 21-0 going into the half.
But the Scarlet Knights pulled away in the third thanks again to excellent field position. On NSU's first drive of the quarter, Malik Stokes' pass was intercepted by Jamal Merrell at the Spartans' 30. Six plays later, Savon Huggins plunged in from 1 yard out to push the lead to 28-0.
James' 25-yard TD run capped an eight-play, 49-yard Rutgers drive that made it 35-0 with 5:47 left in the third. Federico's 24-yard field goal early in the fourth provided the final margin.
The Scarlet Knights outgained NSU 423-133. Rutgers amassed 273 yards rushing on 56 carries. In addition to James' effort, Huggins added 96 yards on 21 carries.
Finch led the Spartans with 46 yards rushing on 13 carries. NSU quarterbacks Stokes, Tyler Clark and Omari Timmons combined to complete 8-of-27 passes for 74 yards with one interception. Clark passed for 44 yards and Timmons had 30 in his first appearance under center for NSU.
Sophomore linebacker Lamar Neal led the Spartan defense with a career-high 10 tackles. Deon King and Darrin Marrow had nine each, followed by Keenan Lambert with eight. King and Lambert combined on a sack, while Trail, who added seven tackles, also had one for the Spartans.
The Spartans return to action on Saturday, Sept. 21 when they host Charleston Southern at Dick Price Stadium for a 4 p.m. kickoff.
