Mohamed Sanu came to Rutgers as a safety in 2009. Little could he have known that before his junior season was complete he would find himself in the Big East record book – as a receiver.
Sanu broke school and Big East single-season records for receptions against Army at Yankee Stadium on Saturday. He had 13 receptions (129 yards) on the day to give him 94 on the season, two more than Pitt’s Larry Fitzgerald had in 2003. In the process, Sanu also broke the school mark of 87 set by Kenny Britt in 2008.
“It’s pretty awesome to have my name up there with those guys,” said Sanu. “It means a lot to me because they were such great players.”
Sanu, who switched to receiver during spring practice in ‘09, heads into next week’s critical Big East game at home against Cincinnati with 189 career receptions. That total is 18 shy of the all-time school mark held by Brian Leonard. The way Sanu is going, it is not entirely out of the question that he could at least equal that record against the Bearcats. After all, he has had at least 10 receptions in a game six times this season, including a Big East single-game record of 16 against Ohio on Sept. 24.
“Every once in a while you get a guy like that,” said Rutgers coach Greg Schiano. “He is a true team guy. To have the success he has had and to be so humble is also very rare. I am very happy for him.”
Sanu’s place in the record book is something he would relinquish if it meant the Scarlet Knights (7-3, 3-2) could win their first Big East title. While they would need some help from other conference members, a win over Cincinnati (7-2, 3-1) next week would keep them in the running.
“A shot at the conference title means much more and I would trade (the receptions records) any day,” said Sanu.