Piscataway, NJ---Rutgers spotted Howard University a 14-0 lead and then reeled off 52 unanswered points to pull away to an easy 52-14 win in a non-conference game at High Point Solutions Stadium.
The Bison (0-2, 0-0 in the MEAC) set the tone early on their opening possession, driving 89 yards on 9 plays with Kalen Johnson connecting with Robert Mercer from eight yards out to take a 7-0 lead at the 10:51 mark of the first quarter.
Inspired by the scoring drive, the defense did its part on the Scarlet Knights first possession when Alonte Dunn picked off a pass that set up Howard's next score. It took three plays to go 24 yard as Johnson did the honors this time with a 15-yard jaunt at the 9:26 mark.
The Bison continued to move the ball effectively, but a series of untimely penalties and miscues on offense stalled potential scoring drives that prevented them from increasing the lead.
Rutgers (1-1, 0-0 in the Big Ten) fought and scrapped their way back in the game. It started with an 84-yard kick return by Janarion Grant that cut the deficit to 14-7.
"That was a big turnaround," said Howard head coach Gary Harrell. "Anytime in a football game, you can get a punt return, a blocked kick or anything on special teams, it can deflate the other team and give your team a boost. I wouldn't say it put us in the tank, but it was pretty good momentum boost for them because it put them back into a one-possession game."
The Bison defense continued to hold the hosts in check and had opportunities but again, as in the loss at Maryland, the team found ways to shoot itself in the foot with bobbled snaps and false starts.
The Scarlet Knights finally got an offensive touchdown when Chris Laviano found Andre Patten from 22 yards out to tie the score at 14 at the half.
"I knew two scores against this team was not a safe haven and that we would have to continue to play well," noted Harrell. "We had a lot of mistakes, missed tackles and it was a sloppy finish. I was very disappointed in the way we finished."
It was all Rutgers in the second half as it used its decided depth to wear down the fatigued Bison on both sides of the ball. The Scarlet Knights run game dominated the Howard front, gaining huge chunks of yards in an equal opportunity effort by a number of runners. The Scarlet Knights amassed 512 yards of total offense, 361 in the second stanza.
"I guess you could say we got worn down," said Howard defensive end Elijah Anglin. "We have to find a way to play through the heat and fatigue and not use depth as an excuse."
The Rutgers defense shut down the Bison offense which showed so much life at the beginning of the game, limiting them to five yards of total offense and only one first down in the second half and that came courtesy of a face mask penalty.
The Bison got another fine performance from Anthony Philyaw. The junior running back led all rushers with 112 yards.
"They came out more ready to play than we did," said Philyaw, who was held to minus three yards rushing in the second half. "We have to learn from this and move forward."
NEXT UP: The Bison begin MEAC play next week when they play Hampton University in the AT&T Nation's Football Classic a 3:30 pm.
