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Rice, Underwood help Rutgers roll past Buffalo

Aug 31, 2007 - 4:48 AM PISCATAWAY, New Jersey (Ticker) -- Rutgers' highly anticipated season opener lived up to its billing as the premiere of Ray Rice's Heisman Trophy chase. But Tiquan Underwood nearly stole the show.

Rice rushed for three touchdowns while Underwood collected a school-record 248 receiving yards to lead the 16th-ranked Scarlet Knights to a 38-3 romp over Buffalo on Thursday night.

The nation's second-leading rusher last season, Rice enters 2007 as the centerpiece of Rutgers' offense and a dark-horse candidate for the Heisman.

The 5-9 Rice was electric against the Bulls (0-1) on Thursday, rushing for 184 yards on 25 carries. The junior sits second on the school's career rushing list with 3,098 yards and needs just 17 to pass Terrell Willis for the all-time lead.

"The offensive line did a great job," Rutgers quarterback Mike Teel said. "I had to make some checks at the line, and they did a great job in giving me plenty of time. Ray ran for three touchdowns, so that alone tells you how good of a job they did."

While Rice barely missed entering his name in Rutgers' record books, Underwood capitalized thanks to his 10-catch effort Thursday.

A 6-2 junior, Underwood hauled in a 20-yard reception from Teel with three minutes remaining to break Jack Emmer's previous mark of 237 yards set vs. Holy Cross in 1966.

"It feels great to have a game like this after all the hard work in the summer," Underwood said. "It's like being rewarded. Ray's running really helps a lot. It opens up the passing game."

"(Underwood) is an exceptional athlete," Rutgers coach Greg Schiano added. "He made some really nice catches, not just the touchdowns. The way Buffalo played defensively, it freed up Ti."

Teel also looked sharp in his season debut, completing 16-of-23 passes for a career-high 328 yards and two TDs.

"It's a good start, but that's all it is - a start," Teel said. "There are still 11 games to go. As good as things were, you can always get better."

Kenny Britt had four catches for 59 yards and defensive end George Johnson had two sacks for the Scarlet Knights (1-0), who have won six of their last eight season openers.

Rutgers collected 563 yards of total offense - including 235 on the ground - and converted 7-of-11 third downs.

"The offense was explosive," Schiano said. "The offensive line gave Mike time, and he did a great job. It was the stuff that I've been seeing since the end of last year, all spring and in training camp."

"It feels good to know we have a great group of receivers and a great quarterback," Rice added. "I just want to take advantage of every opportunity to play with this team and play with this offense, because it's special right now."

Rice gave Rutgers the lead for good just 81 seconds into the contest, ripping off a 34-yard scoring run to make it 7-0.

"The first touchdown of the season felt good," Rice said. "We worked hard all the summer, and the first one is a special one. It was special for my offensive line, too, because they did a great job. I love running behind those guys."

The Scarlet Knights doubled their advantage nine minutes later when Rice scampered around the left edge for a 12-yard score, capping a 12-play drive which covered 80 yards.

Rutgers took a 21-0 lead with 1:24 left in the opening quarter on Underwood's first TD of the game, a 65-yard scoring strike from Teel. Underwood also hauled in a 66-yard TD from Teel with five minutes left in the second to give Rutgers a 28-0 halftime lead.

The Scarlet Knights owned a 28-3 advantage when Rice ripped off his third TD of the game, a 41-yard burst up the middle with 1:31 left in the third quarter.

But the star tailback did not take the field for Rutgers' next offensive possession, meaning he likely will break Willis' record here against Navy next week.

Buffalo quarterback Drew Willy had a decent day, completing 19-of-32 attempts for 164 yards. The junior captain also rushed for 23 yards on four carries.

Reserve running back Mario Henry rushed for a team-high 49 yards on just eight carries for the Bulls, who collected just 231 yards of total offense.

"(Rutgers) threw the ball deep down field, and I didn't expect them to do that," Buffalo coach Turner Gill said. "But when you get the running game going, the passing game is going to be established well, too. They had a great balance to their offense."