Rutgers pounds Army in boot camp fashion

October 24, 11:44 AMNewark Sports ExaminerJason Lockhart

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights in Friday's win over the Army Black Knights found a way to bounce back from their bitter loss last week to No. 20 Pittsburgh. The ground game and Army's costly turnovers sealed Rutgers a 27-10 blowout and their sixth straight win over the military academy at Michie Stadium in West Point, NY.    

Rutgers running back Joe Martinek in the last two games did not put up big numbers in the ground game----only 74 rushing yards in two games. But the 6-0, 215-pound player found the end zone twice against Army with 139 yards rushing on 25 carries.    
 

Rutgers rush defense, ranked 11th in the nation, allowed 197 rushing yards against Army who was running series of option plays throughout the game. But under wet, rainy conditions, Army failed to get a passing game going with only 16 yards in the air. Army quarterback Trent Steelman completed only two-of-six passes. 

Army's offense turned the ball over three times. Their punting unit in the first quarter had one punt blocked, which caused them a touchdown scored by Rutgers linebacker Steve Beauharnais.

Army last defeated Rutgers in 1997, winning 37-35. The series between both schools is now even at 18. Rutgers in their last six wins over Army scored 185 points. 

Rutgers quarterback Tom Savage did not put up big numbers in his second prime time game of his collegiate career, but the true freshman did not turn the ball over. Savage completed 10 of 20 passes for 164 yards in the air. Wide receiver Tim Brown contributed 101 of those yards on four receptions.

Rutgers will play another road game in Hartford, CT to take on Big East rival Connecticut on Halloween. Connecticut last weekend lost defensive back Jasper Howard due to a fatal stabbing occurring on campus. The Huskies' matchup against Rutgers will be their first home game following the death of their starring defensive back.