On offense, Rutgers was able to run the ball right down South Florida's throats. Paul James looked healthy for the first time since September, and the offensive line beat up on a very good USF front seven. They averaged 4.8 yards per attempt (not including kneel downs, sacks and Dodd's option keepers), which is a really good mark, and they overwhelmingly won the time of possession battle. James got the Knights on the scoreboard midway through the 1st quarter on a 5 yard run behind a nice block by right tackle Andre Civil, and 90 seconds later Andre Patton took a crossing route from Chas Dodd in for a 12 yard score following a USF turnover. Rutgers had a chance to take a 21-0 lead at the end of the first quarter, but James lost a fumble in the endzone following another USF turnover.
Justin Goodwin spelled James late in the second quarter, and a 15 yard run by him and a 23 yard pass to Tyler Kroft set up a two yard touchdown reception by Michael Burton to give Rutgers a 21-3 lead at the break. In the second half, Rutgers possessed the ball for over 23 minutes to put the game on ice. The Knights simply pounded the rock with James up the middle and USF had no answer for it. It was beautiful. They had to settle for a field goal attempt inside the 10 after 6 minute drive because Dodd took a sack, and the try was blocked because it was kicked too low. They followed that up with an 8 minute drive, James plunged into the endzone from one yard out to make it 28-6.Goodwin and Savon Huggins took over on the next drive, ate a lot of clock, and it could have resulted in a touchdown if they decided to go for a 4th and goal from the 2 with a minute left in the game. Instead, senior kicker Joe Behnke kicked a field goal on senior day. I'd rather see him kick and extra point there, but what ever.
Defensively, Rutgers finally faced an offense that runs a scheme to their liking, and they turned in perhaps their best performance (although that may have been in large part due to the opponent). They forced six three and outs and two turnovers on South Florida's eleven possessions, holding the Bulls to just a pair of field goals on the night. The front seven, led once again by Steve Longa and Darius Hamilton, dominated, and the secondary held up fine for the first time all season. The Bulls did not record a first down until the second quarter, and they had to settle for both of their field goals in that period, after two drives that lasted13 and 11 plays. In the second half, the Scarlet Knights defense was completely in control. USF was held to just one first down and negative three total yards after half time.
As for the big plays, Darius Hamilton was once again a menace to the opposing offense, recovering a fumble t o set up a score. He also recorded a sack and drew a pair of holding penalties. He has really become a star in the second half of this season. Gareef Glashen intercepted a pass late in the first quarter, setting up another scoring opportunity that ultimately resulted in the James fumble. Marcus Thompson, Quanzell Lambert and Jamil Merrell all chipped in with a sack each as well. Lambert has emerged a a pretty good pass rusher late in the season, and that is a positive sign going forward.
Rutgers did what they were supposed to do and dominated an inferior South Florida team that was cold and had nothing to play for. It was nice to final get back into the win column and clinch another bowl berth, but it didn't really change the fact that the program is still headed in the wrong direction. Beating Notre Dame would make everyone feel a lot better going into the offseason, but this program still has a lot of work to do as the will take a step up in competition next year.
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