Don’t look now but the hottest sports team in New York may be the Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team.
The Knights, picked for last in the Big East, is now 5-1 after a 21-20 victory over a game but undermanned Navy team.
Rutgers fell behind 17-7 but clawed back, riding the play of its vaunted defense and the arm of freshman quarterback Gary Nova who threw two touchdown passes.
The game was not full decided until Brandon Jones blocked a go-ahead field goal with 4:43 to play.
Rutgers enjoyed some rejuvenated running play from senior Joe Martinek.
There was one scratch your head decision by coach Greg Schiano. Rutgers had a fourth and five with about 30 seconds to play at the Navy and tried a 40 yard field goal instead of attempting a running play or a pooch kick. The attempt was blocked, but Navy was unable to progress further down the field.
With the win, Rutgers moved up to no. 28 in some polls.
The Scarlet Knights travel to Louisville on Friday to play a nationally televised night game against the 2-4 Cardinals.
If the Knights win, it sets up another nationally televised appearance on ABC on October 29 for first place in Conference and a leg up on a BCS bid. Rutgers has never beaten West Virginia in Big East play.