WEST POINT, N.Y. — When the game was on the line, the Rutgers defense stepped up.

Joe Martinek scored twice on short runs, linebacker Steve Beauharnais scored off his own blocked punt, and the Scarlet Knights forced fumbles on consecutive series late in the third quarter to break Army's momentum en route to a 27-10 victory last night at Michie Stadium.

"I felt we were playing good football when we blocked the punt for a touchdown," Rutgers coach Greg Schiano said. "The first drive is always difficult against an option team. When you go against a team that runs this (offense), they know the adjustments, then it's punch-counterpunch. I think the takeaways were critical."

It was the sixth straight victory for Rutgers (5-2) over Army (3-5) and evened the series at 18-all. The Black Knights have lost 12 straight games against Big East teams since beating Rutgers, 37-35, in 1997.

Thanks to a stout front line that afforded plenty of protection from Army's swarming defense, freshman quarterback Tom Savage guided Rutgers to a 17-3 halftime lead with some big plays: a 32-yard completion in the first quarter to Mark Harrison that set up Martinek's 4-yard run, and a 48-yard pass to Tim Brown that was followed by San San Te's 27-yard field goal.

With time running down in the first half, Beauharnais blocked a punt, scooped up the ball and ran 11 yards for a score to give Rutgers a 17-3 lead at intermission.

Savage become just the second freshman quarterback in Rutgers history to win a road game.

The Scarlet Knights, ranked 11th nationally in rushing defense, allowing just 91.5 yards per game, gave up 197 on the ground to Army's triple option. But the Black Knights only converted 1 of 11 third downs, punted seven times, and scored only one offensive touchdown for the fifth straight game.

RUTGERS 17 0 3 7—27

ARMY 3 0 0 7—10

FIRST QUARTER

Army—FG Carlton 41, 10:40.

Rut—Martinek 4 run (Te kick), 6:10.

Rut—FG Te 27, 1:38.

Rut—Beauharnais 11 blocked punt return (Te kick), :00.

THIRD QUARTER

Army—Liggins 17 run (Carlton kick), 10:15.

Rut—FG Te 41, 6:35.

FOURTH QUARTER

Rut—Martinek 6 run (Te kick), 14:18.

A—24,098.