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Rutgers stifles Iowa State in Pinstripe Bowl

Dec 31, 2011 - 2:42 AM Bronx, NY (Sports Network) - Jawan Jamison rushed for two touchdowns in the first half and Brandon Coleman scored on an 86-yard catch in the fourth quarter, lifting Rutgers to a 27-13 win over Iowa State in the Pinstripe Bowl on Friday.

Playing at Yankee Stadium for the second time this season, Rutgers (9-4) won its fifth straight bowl game while frustrating an Iowa State offense that had trouble getting out of its own way.

Coleman's 86-yard catch down the left sideline on a pass from Chas Dodd into tight coverage was a dagger, giving the Scarlet Knights their 14-point lead. But the defense also came up big, stopping the final two Iowa State (6-7) drives.

"The season didn't go the way we wanted it to," said Dodd, "but being able to finish on a strong note and come out here an win, it was huge."

Corner Logan Ryan jumped in front of Steele Jantz's pass near the sideline on the Cyclones' final possession for an interception that all but sealed the win.

For Rutgers, it was their sixth bowl appearance in the last seven seasons under head coach Greg Schiano. The Scarlet Knights, now 5-2 all-time in bowl games, had been to just one in their first 135 years prior to Schiano's arrival.

Both teams used two quarterbacks in the game. Dodd started for Rutgers and was 10-of-17 for 176 yards, while Gary Nova threw for 20 yards on 3-of-7 passing.

Jared Barnett completed just two of his seven passes for 23 yards as Iowa State's starter and Jantz ended 15-of-31 for 197 yards and two interceptions.

Iowa State head coach Paul Rhoads said Barnett was "banged up" on a play "but the injury was not the reason for the switch."

Jamison rushed for 131 yards and Rutgers gained 173 yards on the ground as a team. Jeff Woody had a 20-yard run in the fourth quarter for Iowa State's only touchdown of the game.

"It was the style and type of game that I thought it was going to be," said Rhoads, "and the team that played the best football game won."

Rutgers, which went 4-3 in Big East, had a 17-6 lead at halftime after holding the Cyclones to a pair of field goals and blocking another one.

Iowa State lost its final three games of the season after becoming bowl eligible with a shocking upset of then-No. 2 Oklahoma State in double overtime on November 18. The Cyclones were 3-6 in the Big 12.

San San Te missed a 47-yard field goal on Rutgers' first scoring attempt, but the Scarlet Knights took a 7-6 lead on Jamison's bruising one-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter.

Rutgers sacked Barnett on the ensuing Iowa State possession, forcing a fumble that tackle Scott Vallone picked up and rumbled with to the four-yard line.

But the Scarlet Knights were held to a 21-yard field goal.

After Cyclones kicker Zach Guyer missed a 51-yard field goal try, Rutgers pushed its lead to 17-6 on Jamison's 12-yard touchdown. Guyer, who split the uprights from 40 and 46 yards in the first quarter, had a 44-yard try blocked at the other end.

After a scoreless third quarter, Rutgers took a 20-6 lead on Te's 29-yard field goal early in the fourth. Woody busted through the line for a nice run at the other end, getting the Cyclones within seven points, but Coleman's touchdown restored Rutgers' 14-point lead.

Jeremy Reeves was draped all over him, but Coleman still came down with the ball and fought off the Iowa State corner as he raced down the sideline for the score.

Game Notes

Rutgers is 3-7-1 all-time in games played at one of the Yankee Stadiums. The Scarlet Knights beat Army at Yankee Stadium last month...It was the first meeting between the teams...Iowa State was denied its 500th win...The Cyclones fell to just 3-8 all-time in bowl games. They played in one for the seventh time in the last 12 seasons.