Sanu Wins Pinstripe Bowl with Rutgers

BRONX, N.Y. - Mohamed Sanu heard the chants: "One more year, one more year ..."

The Scarlet Knights faithful were celebrating a Rutgers 27-13 win over Iowa State in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium Friday, but remembered their star receiver could test the pro football waters very soon.

Sanu, a junior, who became the all-time leader in receptions (210) during the win, was mum about his future. He says he has a lot to weigh in the coming weeks.

An Honorable Mention All-America selection by SI.com this year, Sanu was named the Rutgers most valuable offensive player in addition to winning the Homer Hazel Trophy as team MVP earlier this month. He was a unanimous selection for All-Big East First Team honors. Coming into Friday's bowl game, he broke the school and conference single-season receptions record with 109 in 2011, ranking fifth nationally. 

The South Brunswick, N.J. native caught 6 passes for 62 yards against Iowa State and had no idea he was on the brink of making school history with his receptions total.

"I was just playing the game," he said, "staying in the moment."

Rutgers played football at the original Yankee Stadium as far back as 1926, but prior to their win over Army in November, had not been in the Bronx since 1948.

"It’s a great place to play," Sanu said. "A legendary field where a lot of great players played on that field. It’s an honor to be able to play on that field."

Rutgers led 17-6 at halftime. Both teams played scoreless football in the third quarter and the Scarlet Knights sealed the victory with an 86-yard touchdown pass from Chas Dodd to Brandon Coleman with 5:47 left in the ball game. 

"To be able to come here, and then to win this thing, to win it at home is wonderful," Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano said. "Hats off to the Yankees and New Era. They put on a first class week for us. It’s always nice to win in the end, that’s for sure."

"We were really focused on this game and we really wanted to win this," said Sanu, who won the St. Petersburg Bowl with Rutgers in 2009. "We played well, we played our hearts out and we got the W."