Rutgers 24 – UConn 13
PISCATAWAY – From the John Lynch Bridge that crosses the Raritan River, the bright lights of Rutgers Stadium slice through the night. The traffic on Route 18 North is heavy as cars creep toward the sold-out stadium that New Jersey’s college football team of destiny calls home.
Southbound the cars whiz by, much as they did on the night of Oct. 16, 2004.
Manny Collins, a senior cornerback, was behind the wheel of a tiny Toyota Tercel that night when suddenly a massive Chevy Envoy loomed in front. The Envoy had been struck head on by a car operated by a drunk driver that was going the wrong way on Route 18.
The frightening collision left a horrific scene on the bridge. Collins and teammates Eddie Grimes and Dondre Asberry were seriously hurt. The psyche of a football team was crushed.
Rutgers was 4-2 after beating Temple that day. The Scarlet Knights would lose the last five games of the season. None of three played again that year, and Grimes and Asberry would never take the field again.
“I try not to think about it, but every time I put my helmet on I know how I lucky I am,” said Collins.
“I’m the only one who’s still playing.” Playing and making plays.
It was Collins who scooped up a fumble and returned it 11 yards for a touchdown last night to give Rutgers a 14-0 second-quarter lead in what turned out to be an unimpressive 2413 win over Connecticut.
The good news is that Rutgers (8-0 overall, 3-0 in the Big East) is one of just six undefeated teams in the nation. The bad news is that Connecticut (3-5, 0-3) outplayed Rutgers, especially freshman running back Donald Brown, who rushed for 199 yards and two touchdowns.
But Rutgers scored touchdowns on offense, defense and special teams. It was good enough to win but not good.
“You just can’t give a team 14 points and expect to win,” said Connecticut coach Randy Edsall.
Not when that team has players like Collins, who have a knack for making plays. In the season-opening 21-16 win at North Carolina, Collins made the first two interceptions of his career.
The next week Collins blocked a punt against Illinois to set up a Rutgers touchdown in a 33-0 win. He blocked another punt against Navy in a 34-0 win.
Two years ago his season was cut short and Rutgers was on its way to another losing season. Today Collins is living large and Rutgers is ranked 16th in the polls and 12th by The Post.
“I remember that night crystal clear,” said Rutgers coach Greg Schiano. “I was having dinner with my wife and friends when I got the call that every coach dreads – go to the hospital.” Collins, a senior from Plainfield, said he believes his purpose is to make the most out of this season. His team is undefeated and faces Louisville a week from Thursday in what could be a battle of undefeateds.
“I don’t take anything for granted,” said Collins. “I know every day could be your last.”