Knights survive scare in season opener

NEW ORLEANS — Brandon Jones had three opportunities to cement a victory for the Rutgers football team in its season opener last night against Tulane.

The first two literally slipped through his hands, but the last provided the finishing touches on head coach Kyle Flood’s first career win.

“I’m upset about it, but I capitalized on one of them, and that was enough for our team to win,”

Jones said following the Scarlet Knights’ 24-12 victory against Tulane. “I’m just happy with the win.”

Jones’ 14-yard interception return for a touchdown cemented a contest that rallied little fanfare.

Attendance figures roamed around 26,000 only days after Hurricane Isaac left its imprint on the Crescent City.

Flood’s first visit to the Superdome came in 1996, when he attended his first college football coaches’ convention. He left the second time with his first stamp as the Knights’ head coach.

“It’s nice to get it out of the way, that’s for sure,” Flood said. “Now as football coaches do …we’ll get started on Week No. 2 of the season.”

By all accounts, the Knights (1-0) should be eager to do so.

Tulane (0-1) converted 50 percent of its third downs and trailed, 10-6, with the ball in the fourth quarter. But Jones’ interception and sophomore wide receiver Brandon Coleman’s 43-yard touchdown reception left little margin for Green Wave error.

Still, it was Jawan Jamison who served as the catalyst.

The sophomore running back rushed for 112 yards — his second straight 100-yard game and fourth of his career — and opened the scoring with a 46-yard touchdown.

He accounted for more than 67 percent of the team’s first-half production.

“I’m definitely getting into a rhythm,” Jamison said. “I’m getting the ball   and getting to run. I feel like once I get one good run, I can keep building on it.”

Jamison and classmate Savon Huggins spearheaded the Knights’ ground game, which totaled 151 yards against the Green Wave. They also chipped in on pass protection, not allowing a sack for the game.

“It was good to see Jawan pick up from where he left off last year,” Flood said. “It was good to see Savon break out on one of those runs, as well. … I’m pleased with the production on paper.

I think there might be a little bit we left out there in the run game, but that’s what the season is for.”