Gary Nova's fourth-and-12 touchdown to Leonte Carroo on Saturday was his second this season on fourth down. (AP Photo)

By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

PISCATAWAY — Gary Nova's fourth-and-12 touchdown to Leonte Carroo against Arkansas on Saturday was his second to Carroo this season on fourth down.

Nova said Saturday that Rutgers tried to exploit the matchup earlier in the game, and offensive coordinator Ron Prince tried it again with Rutgers trailing, 24-14, with 10 minutes left.

"It was just the coverage they were playing," Nova said. "They were playing a little box coverage and had him one-on-one. Coach Prince dialed it up. ... We knew we wanted to go back to it. Leonte ran a great route, and I just put it out there for him."

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The 33-yard score was Rutgers' first to a wide receiver since Aug. 29 at Fresno State. Carroo ran another streak pattern on fourth down that day, but Nova had to fit the throw into a 13-yard window.

Four of Carroo's five touchdowns this season came in the fourth quarter.

"It just comes down to we have to execute on a fourth-down play," Carroo said. "If Gary has enough trust in me to go out there and make that play, then that's what I'm going to do. I'm going to do anything in my power to not let my team down."