Rutgers

PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- In his first seven starts for Navy, quarterback Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada was a careful custodian of the ball. He threw just one interception in 56 passes. Last night, caution went out the window and Kaheaku-Enhada was intercepted three times - twice in the end zone - as the Midshipmen dropped a 41-24 decision to No. 15 Rutgers (2-0) at Rutgers Stadium. Ball State@Navy Next Saturday, 5 p.m., 1090 AM

The Atlantic Coast Conference acknowledged yesterday that the Duke football program violated league policy last week by providing Rutgers - the Terps' opponent this past Saturday - with film of Maryland's Sept. 22 game against Wake Forest. Maryland lodged an oral complaint with the league Sunday, though Duke is unlikely to face punishment. Georgia Tech @Maryland Saturday, noon, Ch. 13, 105.7 FM, 1300 AM Line: Georgia Tech by 2 1/2

If ever Navy's football team needed a breather, this is the time.And the Midshipmen may get one Saturday, although they are scheduled to play in the aftermath of their painful, 28-24 defeat at Notre Dame last week, their fifth loss by six or fewer points this season.The opposition is Rutgers, which has not won a game, is last in the Big East Conference and is ranked below 100th nationally in rushing, punting, scoring, pass defense, total defense, scoring defense and turnover margin. There are 114 NCAA Division I football teams.

Jon Hess had one goal and a career-best six assists as top-ranked Princeton routed Rutgers, 19-7, last night before 1,609 in Princeton, N.J.The Tigers (8-1), who are 18-0 at Class of 1952 Stadium, had two more goals than the Scarlet Knights had shots (17). Rutgers (7-5) lost its second straight since upsetting Syracuse on April 11.No. 9 Georgetown 14, Lehigh 8: Scott Urick, Greg McCavera and Andy Flick combined for 10 goals and five assists to help the visiting Hoyas (8-3) over the Mountain Hawks (5-5)

Mike Powell scored 33 to lead Loyola past St. Peter's College, 86-75, yesterday in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference game at Reitz Arena.Powell also had seven rebounds and three assists. Roderick Platt added 17 points and 12 rebounds for the Greyhounds (4-7, 2-1). Jason Rowe had 22 points.For the Peacocks (4-7, 0-3), Jamar Hunter and Ricky Bellinger each had 24 points. Jake Holmes scored 12 and grabbed 12 rebounds.Loyola led 34-32 at the half. A 12-2 run, with four points each from Powell and Rowe, gave the Greyhounds an 84-68 lead with 35 seconds remaining.

Navy's Cardiac Kids ran out of storybook endings at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium yesterday, rallying twice to take the lead in the fourth quarter only to see Rutgers persevere, 36-33, on a 3-yard keeper by sophomore quarterback Mike McMahon with 1: 18 remaining.The Midshipmen (3-5), who lost any hope of a postseason bowl bid, had staged dramatic comebacks to beat Colgate and Boston College in their previous two games.They again had a final opportunity to win or force an overtime after taking over on their 39 with 1: 13 to play and all three timeouts left.

In the preseason college football poll, Rutgers suffered the ignominy of being ranked 112th and last by Sports Illustrated.The Scarlet Knights earned this distinction by losing all 11 games last year and allowing an average of 45 points and 479 yards a contest.But Rutgers coach Terry Shea, in his third year, may have the last laugh. His team carries a 4-4 record into its game with Navy (3-4) in Annapolis on Saturday and has a chance of posting its first winning season since 1992."The SI poll didn't light up our team," said Shea, who was told by athletic director Bob Mulcahy yesterday that he'd definitely be brought back next season.

Mount Hebron's Bryan Warner has made an early commitment to Rutgers to play lacrosse on a scholarship next year. The attackman scored 37 goals and had 35 assists for the Vikings this spring, and as a sophomore he scored 25 goals and assisted on 24."I wanted a big-school football atmosphere. And Rutgers also has Big East basketball," said Warner, who expressed relief that his college hunt finally has ended."It's a big decision, and I could feel the stress coming off my shoulders as I signed," he said.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- Even without its top playmaker, Maryland is still one of the toughest lacrosse teams in the nation.While Andrew Whipple nursed a bruised shoulder on the sidelines, fellow attackman Scott Hochstadt had a career-best eight points to lead the second-ranked Terps to a 16-11 victory over Rutgers last night at Yurcak Field.The Terps (11-1) stayed in the running for the No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament and are virtually assured of one of the four first-round byes in the 12-team field.

The Naval Academy's campaign to make Chris McCoy a Heisman Trophy candidate took on an air of legitimacy last night when the senior quarterback ran for three touchdowns in the first half and passed for another as the Midshipmen swamped Rutgers, 36-7, before a record home opening crowd of 30,118.McCoy, who gained 83 yards on the ground, became Navy's all-time rushing quarterback with 2,235 yards, supplanting Alton Grizzard.The Navy co-captain also took sole possession of second place in career touchdowns (27)

COLLEGE PARK - -The broken leg suffered by senior captain Nolan Carroll left the Maryland Terrapins a bit depleted in the secondary. It left them depleted emotionally as well. The cornerback's injury has had a lingering effect. Maryland, 1-2 entering today's game against Rutgers (2-1), seemed to play energetically immediately after Carroll was carted off the field during the Terps' 38-35 overtime victory over James Madison on Sept. 12. Coach Ralph Friedgen said the team wanted to win the game for Carroll, a quiet, diligent team leader.

Are the Bears out of the woods? A victory at Rutgers tomorrow would put Morgan State at 3-1, a heady record for a football program that has started that strong only twice in the past 25 years. Rutgers is 0-3 after last week's loss to Navy. The game is a crossroads for the Bears, who are growing - even growling - on defense. Morgan has surrendered 35 points in three games, its stingiest start since 1981. Moreover, the defensive unit is scoring points. Four of the team's 12 touchdowns have come on interception returns.

Call it one of college football's imperfect storms. Navy, ranked near the bottom in pass defense in the country, will meet Rutgers, ranked near the bottom in passing efficiency, today in Annapolis. Whichever team improves on its deficiency might win at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. In returning home for the first time since a season-opening win over Towson, the 1-2 Midshipmen want to get to .500 before going back on the road against Wake Forest and Air Force. In playing their first road game this season, the 0-2 Scarlet Knights are even more desperate for a victory.

It's hard to say that a September game is a must-win situation for any college football team, but Saturday's meeting between Navy (1-2) and Rutgers (0-2) comes close. After playing the Scarlet Knights, Navy plays Atlantic Coast Conference title contender Wake Forest in Winston-Salem, N.C., and much-improved Air Force in Colorado Springs, Colo., a game that will help determine the winner of the Commander in Chief's Trophy. Suddenly, what had seemed like a sure bet of fulfilling the six-win requirement needed to secure a spot in this year's Congressional Bowl doesn't appear automatic, particularly with the possible loss of fullback Eric Kettani to a hamstring injury.

Shane Koppens had five points (two goals and three assists) as No. 19 Loyola beat visiting Rutgers, 15-3, at Diane Geppi-Aikens Field yesterday. "This is the first time we've been 4-0 in this league," said coach Charley Toomey, whose Greyhounds finished 5-2 in the Eastern College Athletic Conference the past two seasons. "Our guys worked hard for this win and put themselves in good position with three conference games left." Loyola took a 3-0 lead after 15 minutes of play. Koppens and Paul Richards connected for the Greyhounds' fourth goal, while the team's leading scorer, Cooper MacDonnell, scored the fifth to help Loyola build a 5-1 advantage.

NCAA tournament, Elite Eight 7 P.M. [ESPN] Doubleheader with Texas A&M vs. Tennessee followed by Rutgers vs. Connecticut. The early game features the defending national champion Volunteers, who have seven national crowns to their credit and, of course, superstar coach Pat Summitt. The later game has five-time national champ Connecticut against last year's runner-up, Rutgers.

Moves Baseball PADRES -- Claimed IF Luis Rodriguez off waivers from Twins. Waived OF Brady Clark. Basketball KINGS -- Named Lafayette Lever director of player development. COLLEGES RUTGERS -- Named Peter Casey director of football operations, Dennis Scuderi director of football recruiting operations and Gene Bataille director of football relations. Football BENGALS -- Signed WR Marcus Maxwell to practice squad. Released WR Jesse Holley from practice squad. BRONCOS -- Signed WR Carlton Brewster to practice squad.

The Atlantic Coast Conference acknowledged yesterday that the Duke football program violated league policy last week by providing Rutgers - the Terps' opponent this past Saturday - with film of Maryland's Sept. 22 game against Wake Forest. Maryland lodged an oral complaint with the league Sunday, though Duke is unlikely to face punishment. Georgia Tech @Maryland Saturday, noon, Ch. 13, 105.7 FM, 1300 AM Line: Georgia Tech by 2 1/2

College Park -- During his trip to Phoenix for his Playboy All-America photo shoot, Maryland linebacker Erin Henderson got a chance to meet Rutgers running back Ray Rice and get to know him a little. Saturday, when the Terps face No. 10-ranked Rutgers (3-0) at 3:30 p.m. in Piscataway, N.J., Henderson will run into the Heisman Trophy hopeful again - this time with the intention of taking him down. Maryland @Rutgers Saturday, 3:30 p.m., Chs. 2, 7, 105.7 FM, 1300 AM Line: Rutgers by 16 1/2

PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- In his first seven starts for Navy, quarterback Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada was a careful custodian of the ball. He threw just one interception in 56 passes. Last night, caution went out the window and Kaheaku-Enhada was intercepted three times - twice in the end zone - as the Midshipmen dropped a 41-24 decision to No. 15 Rutgers (2-0) at Rutgers Stadium. Ball State@Navy Next Saturday, 5 p.m., 1090 AM