Rutgers rallies way past Purdue with backup QB

RUTGERS 37 PURDUE 30

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Backup quarterback Johnny Langan proved to be just the spark Rutgers needed.

Langan completed all four passing attempts for 95 yards and ran for 95 yards on 21 carries as the Scarlet Knights rallied for a 37-30 victory over Purdue on Saturday. Langan was used extensively in the second half for Artur Sitkowski, who started in place of Noah Vedral, who was injured in the Scarlet Knights’ previous game. Rutgers coach Greg Schiano said it was gametime decision if Vedral could play.

“I thought both Artur and Johnny did a good job,” Schiano said. “Johnny did a great job running the four-minute offense. We love how he competes. Artur ran the offense well and had a calming effect.”

Sitkowski threw two touchdown passes in the first half.

“We played our brand of football, fast and physical,” Langan said. “I think all three of us [quarterbacks] have different skills so it makes it tough on other teams.”

The Scarlet Knights (2-4, 2-4 Big Ten) narrowed their 10-point halftime deficit to 23-20 on a 62yard touchdown pass from Langan to Kay’Ron Adams with 12:29 left in the third quarter.

Purdue (2-3, 2-3) answered with an 18-yard TD pass from Jack Plummer to David Bell for a 10-point advantage, but then the momentum shifted heavily in Rutgers’ favor when Aron Cruickshank responded with a 100-yard kickoff return for a TD.

Rutgers linebacker Mohamed Toure set up the next score by intercepting Plummer’s pass and returned it 13 yards to Purdue 49.

The Scarlet Knights took a 34-30 lead on a 1-yard touchdown run by Aaron Young with 3:42 left in the third quarter.

Rutgers boosted the advantage to 37-30 on a 28-yard field goal by Valentino Ambrosio.

“They’re an explosive team, so we knew we had to shut them down defensively,” Schiano said.