Rutgers stumbles past Owls

PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- Jeremy Ito kicked three field goals and Ryan Hart threw a late touchdown pass to help Rutgers hold off Temple, 16-6, in an error-filled game yesterday.

Rutgers (4-2) won despite committing five turnovers and failing to score a touchdown against the Big East's worst defense until the final three minutes.

The Scarlet Knights instead relied on Ito, who connected from 43, 27, and 24 yards, and on a defense that sacked Temple quarterback Walter Washington six times.

Hart struggled early but finished 18 for 30 for 193 yards. He was intercepted three times by Temple, which entered the game allowing 265 yards a game through the air, worst in the Big East. Washington was 21 of 39 for 219 yards.

Ryan Lux kicked field goals of 37 and 38 yards for Temple (1-6).

With the two most porous defenses in the Big East opposing one another -- Rutgers had allowed 29 points a game and Temple just under 40 before yesterday -- many expected a track meet on the new turf at Rutgers Stadium. But neither team could execute in the red zone.

Hart, who came into the game as the Big East's leading passer with a 288-yard average, was 9 of 16 in the first half but produced only 55 yards. He also threw two interceptions -- one in the first quarter that led to a missed field goal by Lux.