Rutgers 45, Howard Bison 7

PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- It was somewhere in the second quarter Saturday, a bit into what would become Rutgers' relatively redemptive romp over Howard, that Jourdan Brooks really heard Tom Savage. "Let's go," Savage said. Then, "Come on, we're going to punch it in." And then, pulling Brooks aside, "Run hard on this one.""You know, he reminded me of Mike a little bit," Brooks said, breaking into a grin after Rutgers' 45-7 win. "He definitely doesn't seem like a regular freshman."

Savage certainly proved himself no ordinary freshman -- and that he may indeed be the heir apparent to the two-time captain and record-setter Mike Teel. On a gray, rainy afternoon, he coolly managed Rutgers' offense, he dynamically made some highlight reel throws and he earned Greg Schiano's praise for making what the coach called "good decisions." It was his first-ever start, he would've led Rutgers to a score on every one of his possessions if not for a missed field goal and Savage still very endearingly admitted to a nervous morning of "just looking at the weather."

Highlights of Rutgers 45-7 victory over Howard at Rutgers Stadium

Taking a closer look at Rutgers' victory over Howard

ABOUT THAT DEFENSE
Well, when you beat up an opponent like Rutgers did to Howard, the defense must be doing something right. But after being embarrassed on national television in the home opener on Monday, most would have expected Rutgers to have a killer instinct at a high level, and it really wasn't there. Yes, they forced some turnovers (3), but there were still tackles being missed and runs being broken off. The most glaring mistake was when Howard took a fourth down-and-3 situation in the second quarter and turned it into a 40-yard touchdown play. That's not what you want to see.

Video: The Star-Ledger breaks down Rutgers football 45-7 win over Howard

If this was really a first test for Tom Savage, it was more like one in which he had the answers in advance. Not that anyone in the crowd of 43,722 who braved the dreary conditions at Rutgers Stadium Saturday - and endured the lack of competitiveness by Howard -- seemed to mind or care. The future is now, and he looks poised, calm and fully in control.

Yes, what Savage accomplished was against an overmatched MEAC team that was 1-10 last year. But it's hard to deny that he looks and acts the part of a big-time quarterback - rare for a 19-year-old true freshman making his first career start. Savage, with all of one half of college experience behind him, offered the hope of bigger and better things to come by leading Rutgers to a wound-salving 45-7 victory over Howard, allowing the Knights to square their record at 1-1.

The Star-Ledger breaks down Rutgers football 45-7 win over Howard

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