Things aren’t starting out well for the Scarlet Knights:
PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Mason Robinson squirted through the line of scrimmage, found an open spot and thrust up his hands to snag what was no more than a 5-yard pass from Mike Teel. But there was no such thing as an easy play for Rutgers on Thursday night.
The ball skipped off Robinson’s fingers and fluttered to North Carolina linebacker Bruce Carter, who rumbled 66 yards for a touchdown that encapsulated the Tar Heels’ 44-12 victory before a capacity crowd of 42,502 at Rutgers Stadium.
The student sections at the stadium emptied after Carter scored his touchdown, which came after only 5 minutes 5 seconds of the second half had been played.
“It’s an understatement to say it was tough night,” Coach Greg Schiano said. “But we will be back.”
The interception was one of three thrown by Teel, who was supposed to help the Scarlet Knights make up for the loss of the record-setting running back Ray Rice to the N.F.L. Teel has five interceptions and one touchdown pass in two games.
As in a dismal season-opening loss Sept. 1 to Fresno State, the Rutgers defense sprung leaks as the game wore on. Tar Heels quarterback T. J. Yates passed for three touchdowns, and wide receiver Brandon Tate caught one scoring pass and ran for another touchdown.
“We just got whipped by a better team that played hard, that played smart and that played better,” Teel said.
North Carolina, coached by Butch Davis, has won its first two games for the first time since 2000. Rutgers has lost its first two games for the first time since 2002, and its next game, on Sept. 20 at Navy, now does not look as winnable as it once did.
I can almost see how this season ends.
Rutgers ends up with maybe a .500 record.
Joe Paterno finally retires from Penn State.
Greg Schiano moves to Happy Valley
And dreams of Rutgers football glory die yet again.
Well, it was good while it lasted.
