Rutgers Rolls over North Carolina Central in Savon Huggins Debut (Video)

For the past seven months, Rutgers fans have been anxiously anticipating seeing Savon Huggins in action. Just over eight minutes into the first game of the season, the wait was over.

And the state’s No. 1 recruit impact was felt almost immediately.

After two sloppy series to start the game against North Carolina Central — a three and out followed by an interception by quarterback Chas Dodd — Huggins scored his first career touchdown to get the Scarlet Knights on the board.

After a 20-yard completion to wide receiver Mohamed Sanu to set Rutgers up on the 6-yard line, Huggins was fed the rock three straight plays. After a gain of five yards followed by a rush for no gain, Huggins punched in his first career touchdown on a one-yard run, spinning off a would-be tackler into the endzone.

“I was happy to just get some points on the board. That was pretty much it,” Huggins said of his first touchdown. “We didn’t have any points in the beginning. We messed up a little bit, so right when I scored I was happy to get six on the board.”

From there, Rutgers offense found its rhythm.

The next drive Huggins scored his second touchdown on run off right tackle from 7-yards out. The true freshman would finish the night with 32 yards on 10 carries.

The third straight scoring drive ended with Dodd hitting Sanu for a 13-yard catch and run, culminating with Sanu diving into the endzone. The touchdown was set up by a 34-yard catch by wide receiver Mark Harrison.

Up 21-0 at half, it was the defense that joined the scoring bonanza in the second half.

Scott Vallone recovered a fumble in the endzone for his first career touchdown. The 6-3 275 pound defensive tackle was set up by linebacker David Milewski sacking Eagles quarterback Michael Johnson.

“I saw the ball and jumped on it,” Vallone (two sacks, a fumble recovery and 2.5 tackles for a loss) said. “I did my job. The fact that I was able to get up with the ball and everyone being excited—it was fun.”

A few plays later, safety Duron Haron intercepted Johnson and took it back 37-yards for the touchdown to make it 35-0.

Freshman quarterback Gary Nova scored the final touchdown of the game connecting on a 44-yard touchdown pass to redshirt freshman wide receiver Brandon Coleman.

San San Te would connect on a few field goals to balloon the Knights lead a little more.

But in a game the fans checked off as a W as soon as the schedule came out, seeing the most hyped recruit in school history was what this game was all about.

And in a game filled with fireworks — before the real ones after the game — Rutgers fans saw a spark of what they’ve been waiting for since Ray Rice left the banks.

“There’s always some things I can improve on,” Huggins said. “So we gotta go back in the film room tomorrow and see what we can all improve on, but I feel like I did pretty well tonight.”

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