2008 Papa Johns Bowl - Mike Teel Rescues Rutgers, Late Surge Upends North Carolina State, 29-23

2008 Papa Johns Bowl - Mike Teel Rescues Rutgers, Late Surge Upends North Carolina State, 29-23

It took Rutgers a long time to get warmed up-about halfway through the 4th quarter-but the Scarlet Knights, led by trusty quarterback Mike Teel, came from behind to beat North Carolina State 29-23 in the Papajohns.com Bowl Monday (12-29-08).

Rutgers was down by 11 when “Comeback Mike” found Kenny Britt for a 42-yard scoring toss to give the Scarlet Knights the lead in the final quarter. Teel, the 6-foot-4, 220-pound, senior signal caller, completed 23 of 37 passes for 319 yards and the TD to Britt, who caught 6 passes for 119 yards.

The Scarlet Knights started their season by losing 5 of their first 6 games and Teel was on the receiving end of some boos at home and struggling with his game. Then he led Rutgers to 7 straight wins, including the Papajohns.com Bowl victory as the Knights ended the season at 8-5. Teel was named the game’s Most Valuable Player. He certainly ended his season on a terrific winning streak and a bowl-game high note.

Britt, the 6-foot-4, 205-pound junior wide receiver, was a 3rd-team All American and proved it with a juggling catch on the go-ahead TD play.

North Carolina State was leading 17-6 at halftime but its quarterback Russell Wilson strained his knee in the first half and never returned. That turned out to be exceptionally bad news for the Wolfpack as Wilson went 11-for-23 for 186 yards and a touchdown in the first half. His replacements were irrelevant.

North Carolina State’s bigger problem was the Wolfpack players turning the ball over 4 times, including one lost fumble and 3 second-half interceptions.

Rutgers did jump to a quick lead when cornerback Jason McCourty recovered a Wolfpack fumble on the first play from scrimmage. Teel promptly hit senior wide receiver Tiquan Underwood with a 22-yard pass and the Scarlet Knights then attempted a 6-yard field goal. Or so North Carolina State thought.

Rob Cervini, the holder on the play, picked up the ball and scampered into the end zone. The extra point was blocked by NC State, but no one could believe it turned out to be Cervini’s first play of the year.

“We had worked a lot on the fake and felt highly confident that it would work,” said coach Greg Schiano. “It’s unique that on his first play in a varsity game he scores a touchdown. That’s pretty neat for him, and for us too.” No kidding, Greg. Cervini will see more action as he is a freshman defensive back.

North Carolina coach Tom O’Brien had seen better second halfs. His Wolfpack finished the year at 6-7.

Copyright 2008 Ed Bagley

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