Rutgers won the battle of New York City Saturday,defeating Syracuse, 19-16 in double overtime at the Carrier Dome.
Both teams claim that they are the college football team of New York City. ESPN ratings over the years would tend to support the Rutgers claim.
The game was marred by turnovers, missed field goals and a missed extra point by Syracuse.
Rutgers started sophomore QB Chas Dodd but he was unable to move the offense and was replaced early in the third quarter by highly recruited pro style freshman quarterback Gary Nova from Don Bosco Prep and he led his team to victory on 14-24 passing for 122 yards and a touchdown.
For the second year in a row, Rutgers has a quarterback controversy. Last year, highly regarded and freshman All-American Tom Savage was replaced by Dodd. Savage has since transferred to Arizona. One now wonders why Dodd bested Savage, as Nova is similar in style to Savage and may have won the starting job, at least for the Pitt game this coming Saturday at home.
Syracuse starter Ryan Nassib was 15-32, but had 3 passes intercepted.
Rutgers is now 3-1 and Syracuse fell to 3-2.