Rutgers can't find rhythm, loses to Tar Heels, 17-13

PISCATAWAY, N.J. - For more than three quarters yesterday against North Carolina, talented sophomore quarterback Tom Savage was dangling at the end of a yo-yo controlled by Rutgers coach Greg Schiano. First, he was in at quarterback, and then, he was on the sideline watching wide receiver Mohamed Sanu run out of the wildcat formation.

Then, when it was third-and-long, Savage was back in at quarterback trying to pull everyone's bacon out of the fire. It was a difficult task further complicated by a painful rib injury that caused Savage to miss the first series of the second half.

Schiano waited until 9:28 remained in a game Rutgers trailed, 17-13, before going with Savage on a complete drive starting at his own 20-yard line. "I know he was hurting, but that's what great stories are made of - when you lead your team back, limping,'' Schiano said later. "Everybody wants to write about those when they work.''

It was a great story line that didn't pan out. Savage converted two third-and-long situations and hit a fourth-and-12 pass to Sanu for a first down at the Carolina 23-yard line. But two plays later, Savage threw behind his receiver and was intercepted. Savage got it back at the Tar Heels' 34 with 2:21 left, but threw three incompletions and was sacked as the Scarlet Knights (2-1) lost 17-13 to North Carolina, which was playing without 12 suspended players.

Instead of the fairy-tale finish Schiano wanted, the story line has to focus on his strategy at quarterback. The only time the wildcat clicked was after an interception return by Antonio Lowery gave the Knights the ball at North Carolina's 20. Sanu ran 10 yards for a touchdown and 10-0 lead.

In the second quarter, Savage completed a 15-yard fourth-down pass to put the ball at the Carolina 17. Schiano switched to Sanu, the drive stalled and Savage came into the game facing third-and-22 and threw an interception that Heels middle linebacker Bruce Carter returned 55 yards to set up a touchdown by Johnny White that cut the Knights' lead to 10-7 at halftime.

"I just saw that window open,'' Savage said. "He read my eyes and made a good play on the ball. It was third-and-22, but the reality is we can get some points on the board. Never leave points on the field.''

Just before halftime, Savage was injured on a vicious sack by 6-6, 275-pound defensive tackle Quinton Coples. Schiano inserted freshman Chase Dodd at quarterback, which was odd considering Sanu had been playing the position.

After Rutgers went three-and-out, North Carolina drove 80 yards for a 5-yard TD pass from T.J. Yates to Ryan Taylor and a 14-10 lead. Savage got one play on the next drive, when he missed a potential scoring pass from the Carolina 24. Sanu then did nothing, leading to a 39-yard field goal by San San Te to cut Carolina's lead to 14-13.

And so it went to the non-miracle finish. Asked about all the third-and-long situations he faced without a chance to develop a rhythm, Savage said, "When they call on you in third-and-long, you have to perform. Mohamed is a phenomenal athlete, so, you've got to get the ball in his hands. I don't disagree with anything. It's coach's decision.''