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Freshman runs wildcat for career-high 148 yards, 2 touchdowns

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — True freshman Mohamed Sanu rushed for a career-high 148 yards on 18 carries and two touchdowns as Rutgers (8-3, 3-3 Big East) defeated Louisville (4-8, 1-6 Big East) 34-14 on Friday afternoon at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium.

Sanu became the fifth Scarlet Knight to rush for 100 yards this season. Senior wide receiver Tim Brown also enjoyed a career day, recording 1,000 yards receiving in a season for the first time in his Rutgers career. Brown ended the day with seven catches for 124 yards and one touchdown. He became the fourth player in Rutgers history to eclipse the 1,000-yard plateau in receiving (single-season) with 1,051 yards and added to his school record with 19 career touchdowns.

Rutgers opened with a 28-7 edge at halftime, scoring on its first four possessions - a first in the nine-year tenure of head coach Greg Schiano.

The Scarlet Knights took a seven-point lead on their opening drive, going 64 yards on six plays, capped by a two-yard TD run by sophomore Joe Martinek. Sanu picked up 20 yards on three plays from the wildcat formation to help spark the drive. Brown put Rutgers in scoring position with two receptions for 42 yards, including a 19-yard catch down to the two-yard line, setting up the touchdown run by Martinek.

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What we learned from Rutgers' 34-14 victory at Louisville

BOXSCORE: Rutgers 34, Louisville 14

Rutgers quarterback Tom Savage, who was perfect to start the game, completing his first six pass, added to the Scarlet Knights' lead with his feet. Rutgers pulled ahead 14-0 as the true freshman capped a 16-play, 87-yard drive with a three-yard touchdown run, the first rushing score of his young career.

Louisville narrowed the Rutgers advantage to seven points with a second quarter touchdown pass from junior Adam Froman to senior Trent Guy to make 14-7 in Scarlet Knights' favor.

Sanu continued to rack up yards from the wildcat, tacking on a four-yard touchdown run in the second quarter to put Rutgers ahead 21-7. It was Sanu's second career rushing TD, ending a drive that went 80 yards, racking up 38 yards on three carries. He also hauled in a 10-yard catch from Savage.

The Scarlet Knights found the end zone again in the second quarter with less than two minutes remaining in the first half with a quick-strike, balanced scoring attack. Rutgers went 52 yards on four plays in just 43 seconds to increase their lead 28-7. Martinek converted a third-and-10 with a 20-yard run and Savage took RU the rest of the way with a 32-yard touchdown completion to Brown. It was Brown's eighth score of the season, adding to his all-time school record with 19 career TDs.

The Cardinals scored on their first possession of the second half to pull within 14 points (28-14). Louisville went 82 yards on seven plays, ending with a one-yard touchdown run by redshirt freshman Darius Ashley.

A 29-yard fourth-quarter rushing touchdown by Sanu with 3:52 left to play helped seal the 34-14 win for the Scarlet Knights. Sanu rushed for a total of 71 yards in the final quarter of the game.

Rutgers will return home for its regular-season finale against West Virginia on Saturday, Dec. 5 at Rutgers Stadium. The game is set for a noon kickoff and will be nationally-televised on ESPN or ESPN2.

SOURCE: RUTGERS ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS