httpss://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQT7Wxe2Q6Q
PISCATAWAY – It absolutely was one of the signature moments in the Greg Schiano age.
A Rutgers football team that had combined to win six matches through Schiano’s first three seasons hosted a Michigan State program coming off a bowl appearance to start the 2004 effort.
“Playing before a then-record home crowd of 42,612, the Scarlet Knights posted a thrilling 19-14 victory over the Spartans on Sept. 4, 2004.
Today, Michigan State will return to High Point Solutions Stadium for the very first time since that memorable triumph.
Kickoff between the now-Big Ten foes is set for 8 p.m., and will air on BTN. In 2004, Rutgers posted its largest triumph early in Schiano’s program-building tenure, utilizing ball-control offense by holding a 2-to-1 edge in time-of-possession, using four Jeremy Ito field goals and obtaining a huge interception by defensive end Ryan Neill to reign supreme.
Neill’s touchdown was Rutgers’ only among the afternoon, a 31-yard return off an interception midway through the third quarter.
Brian Leonard strode the Rutgers rushing assault with 150 yards on 25 carries, quarterback Ryan Hart threw for 241 yards on 20-for-34 passing and tight end Clark Harris hauled in three passes to get a team-high 67 yards.
Keith Sargeant might be reached at ksargeant@njadvancemedia.com.