Rutgers snaps 16-game losing streak in Big Ten
CHAMPAIGN, ILL. » Gus Edwards rushed for 91 yards and two touchdowns as Rutgers ended a 16-game losing streak in the Big Ten with a 35-24 win over Illinois on Saturday.
The Scarlet Knights (24, 1-2) led wire to wire for their first conference victory since 2015 at Indiana.
“Nobody gave us a chance to come out here and win a football game,” Rutgers coach Chris Ash said. “I know that, but nobody gave up on each other in that locker room.”
Rutgers rushed for a season-high 274 yards. Edwards, Raheem Blackshear and Josh Hicks all scored touchdowns. Blackshear provided the most exciting run — a 19-yard gain up the middle on the Scarlet Knights’ second possession that he finished by running over defensive back Jalen Dunlap at the goal line.
Jeff George Jr. was 20of-38 passing for a careerhigh 308 yards and a pair of touchdowns for Illinois (24, 0-3). George also threw two interceptions, totaling 12 in seven career games for the Illini, who have now lost six consecutive Big Ten games.
“Losing at home like that, it’s a tough deal,” George said. “We’ve got to find a way to be more competitive as a whole team — each individual player, myself included.”
The Scarlet Knights offense wasn’t nearly as effective through the air. Coach Chris Ash benched Kyle Bolin — who started in the team’s first five games — and went with Giovanni Rescigno, who completed 5 of 10 passes for 89 yards.
Ra’Von Bonner scored Illinois’ only rushing touchdown midway through the second quarter. After a 19-yard reception by Louis Dorsey to start to the drive, Ricky Smalling made a tough catch on the right sideline to put the Illini in the red zone. Bonner finished it with a 1-yard plunge on fourth-and-goal.
Despite its offensive woes, Illinois was still in the game late in the third. Trailing by 11, the Illini forced a three-and-out but Carmoni Green fumbled on the punt return. Rutgers recovered it and took over at the Illinois 21. Two plays later, Edwards scored on a 5-yard rush that put the Scarlet Knights ahead by three scores.
Smalling scored the first touchdown of his career in the fourth and finished with a career-high five catches for 111 yards.
“(This) isn’t where we want to be, but that’s where we are,” Illinois coach Lovie Smith said. “When you have a performance like this, thank God you get a chance to play another game.” PRINCETON 53, BROWN 0 PROVIDENCE, R.I. » Charlie Volker set a school record with a 96-yard rushing touchdown and Princeton eased by Brown.
Volker, who entered with just two rushing touchdowns on the season, had all four of his touchdown runs by halftime as Princeton took a 36-0 lead. He finished with 163 yards on 16 carries.
Princeton forced a fumble on the opening kickoff and kicked a field goal to start the scoring. Volker had scoring runs of 10, 1 and 8 yards before his long burst with 5:18 left in the half.
Brown had just four first downs by halftime.
Collin Eaddy added 77 yards on the ground and one touchdown for Princeton (4-1, 1-1 Ivy League). Chad Kanoff was 21-of-27 passing for 231 yards with touchdown passes to Jesper Horsted and Tiger Bech.
Brown (2-3, 0-2) was outgained 538 to 170 and had just 12 first downs. Jeffrey Jonke and Thomas Linta split time at quarterback and combined for 115 yards on 15-of-27 passing.
TCNJ 20, ROWAN 14 GLASSBORO » Trevor Osler threw for a career-high 340 yards and three touchdowns and the Lions (1-5, 1-4) got their first victory under new coach Casey Goff.
Osler tossed all three of his scoring passes in the first half as TCNJ built a 20-0 lead. Osler connected with Thomas Koenig for a 79-yard score before hooking up with Vincent Guckin on throws of 10 and six yards, respectively.
Koenig finished with 131 yards on four catches for his third straight 100-yard game.
Anthony Diorio and John Mannion had second-half touchdown runs for the Profs (3-3, 2-3), who cut the Lions’ advantage to 2014 on Mannion’s two-yard plunge with 8:36 remaining in the fourth quarter.