Savon Huggins rushed for two touchdowns in his first collegiate game to lead Rutgers to a 48-0 rout of North Carolina Central on Thursday in Piscataway, N.J.

Huggins, the freshman burner and prize of the Scarlet Knights’ recruiting class, injected some much-needed life into a program that has been without electrifying playmakers since Ray Rice flirted with the Heisman in 2007.

Huggins and the ground game piled up 137 of the Knights’ 347 total yards against FCS newcomer N.C. Central. It was a welcome sight for a team that finished last in total offense in the Big East last season.

Mohamed Sanu also lit up the scoreboard with a 13-yard touchdown reception from Chas Dodd to put Rutgers up 21-0 late in the first half. Sanu, a pivotal piece who missed most of 2010 with injuries, hauled in seven passes for 68 yards for a team picked to finish last in the Big East Conference.

Rutgers held N.C. Central to eight yards rushing and scored two defensive touchdowns less than a minute apart in the third quarter, including a 37-yard interception return by Duron Harmon.