The Scarlet Knights won their first bowl game in school history last night with a 37-10 blowout of Kansas State in the Texas Bowl:
HOUSTON — Like a true Texas hero, Ray Rice donned a white cowboy hat after leading Rutgers to one more milestone victory.
Rice ran for 170 yards and a touchdown, Tim Brown caught two TD passes and the 16th-ranked Scarlet Knights won a bowl game for the first time Thursday night, beating Kansas State 37-10 in the Texas Bowl.
“We’ve tasted it, tasted the water and it’s a great feeling,” said Rice, selected the game’s Most Valuable Player.
Linebacker Quintero Frierson returned an interception 27 yards for a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage of the second half and Rutgers (11-2) cruised from there, earning an 11th victory for the second time in 137 mostly forgettable seasons.
“To win the first bowl game after 137 years of playing, to say we’re excited would be an understatement,” Rutgers coach Greg Schiano said.
Rice topped 100 yards for the 10th time this season and the 15th time in 25 career games. The 5-foot-9, 195-pound sophomore went over 150 yards for the fifth time this season.
The Scarlet Knights’ seventh-ranked defense manhandled Kansas State’s offense, holding the Wildcats to 162 total yards and six first downs. Freshman quarterback Josh Freeman was 10-for-21 for 129 yards with two interceptions.
Kansas State (7-6) mustered only 85 yards after Frierson’s return of Freeman’s first interception put Rutgers up 24-10 just 33 seconds out of halftime.
It’s not as nice as an Orange Bowl appearance would have been, but it still feels pretty nice, and it caps off what has clearly been the best season in the history of Rutgers football. Congratulations to Greg Schiano and the Scarlet Knights !
H/T: Brendan Loy for the photos
