Rutgers vs. Cincinnati 2012: Scarlet Knights claw out close win

The No. 22 Rutgers Scarlet Knights kept control of the top of the Big East Conference with a 10-3 win over the Cincinnati Bearcats yesterday at Nippert Stadium.

Cincinnati got the ball inside the 20-yard line on three occasions, but couldn't punch it into the end zone. Those drives ended with a missed field goal, turnover on downs, and field goal, respectively. The Scarlet Knights were able to score their lone touchdown on a 78-yard bomb from from Gary Nova to Mark Harrison, but what really helped Rutgers though was the big day from running back Savon Huggins. The sophomore was a horse for the Scarlet Knights, carrying the ball 41 times for 179 yards on the afternoon. With the ground attack working well for Rutgers, the guys at On The Banks gave credit to Huggins for helping the Scarlet Knights hold on:

Cincy had to be gassed by the early third, and of course he sealed it late with a big run. With Jawan Jamison hurting, you might have figured that Rutgers would struggle on the ground and take to the air. While Gary Nova probably missed having Jamison as a dump off security blanket for screen passes (there were a few notable moments where you could just tell he missed Jamison as a bail out option), Huggins more than made up for it with his fantastic running between the tackles.

The Bearcats will be back in action the day after Thanksgiving against the South Florida Bulls at Nippert Stadium.