Fresno Stuns Rutgers in Home Opener

By Violetta Yas: SPM NJ Writer
Posted Tuesday, September 2, 2008

PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- Sometimes you just know when it’s going to be one of those days. As I ordered my daily smoothie, the same exact smoothie that I order each and every day, I had a change of heart and convinced myself to go with the “Carribean Way” instead of my usual “Angel Food.” The cashier quickly denied me, claiming they’d just run out of the prime ingredient in my beverage of choice, figures.

Similarly, part two in my “one of those days” saga came during the first half of the Rutgers football season opener versus Fresno State. Rutgers, expected to quickly prove that they can still generate offense sans Ray Rice, did nothing of the sort, not only dropping their home opener, but in disappointing fashion.

“It’s the pass game’s job to move the ball on the third down and give the offense a chance to score points, and we didn’t do that,” Rutgers quarterback Mike Teel said after falling to the Bulldogs 24-7.

Teel threw for 263-yards and two interceptions, while Fresno State’s senior quarterback Tom Brandstater launched for 216 yards on 11-for-24 passing.

“I think we missed a lot of opportunities that, against a good football team, you need to be able to convert,” Teel added. “And the defense kept us in the game for the first half and for only so long can they ride out to make stop after stop when we’re not scoring points.”

Fortunately for RU, let’s just say Fresno State’s “high-powered” offense got caught in Labor Day traffic and missed the first thirty minutes.

As most expected the scoreboard to churn numbers like clockwork, sloppiness instead plagued both squads in the first half, locking the score at zero before going into halftime and leaving the 42,508 fans in attendance thirsty for some offense.

Fresno State redshirt freshman Kevin Goessling drew the first sword and booted a 31-yard field goal during his team’s opening drive to put the Bulldogs up 3-0 about five minutes into the third quarter. Soon after, sophomore tailback Ryan Mathews rushed four yards for the evening’s first touchdown, making it 10-0 affair after Goessling’s converted extra point.

Rutgers' redshirt freshman Kordell Young rushed for a career high 94 yards on a career high 26 carries in his first career start. With 11:20 remaining in the fourth, Young rushed for a one yarder to put the Scarlet Knights on the map at 10-7.

But Mathews of Fresno State delivered two crushing blows to close out the game, including two one-yard touchdown runs to seal the deal at 24-7. Mathews had quite the evening, snagging 163 yards on 26 carries.

Rutgers' head coach Greg Schiano was extremely disappointed, but blamed nobody but himself. “We did not play as we are capable of playing today, and as a coach that starts with me,” Schiano admitted. “It’s my job to get everyone ready.”

Rutgers must indeed quickly pick up the pieces as they host North Carolina next Thursday for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.

““We need to execute,” Schiano said. “You know, some days you just have a bad day...”

… Should have stuck with the “Angel Food”.