PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) -- Andre Hall ran for 168 yards and three touchdowns and USF scored 28 points off six Rutgers' turnovers on the way to a 45-31 win over the Scarlet Knights on Saturday, the Bulls' first game in 21 days.

Despite two defensive scores in the span of 1:26 in the first quarter and a 20-point lead late in the third, USF (4-3, 2-1 Big East) needed to hold off the Scarlet Knights at the end.

Down 37-17 late in the third quarter, Rutgers (6-3, 3-2) came back to make it 37-31 after a 1-yard touchdown run by Brian Leonard and a 4-yard scoring catch by Clark Harris. The Scarlet Knights got the ball back with 11:47 left in the game, but a fumble by quarterback Ryan Hart ended the drive. Coming into the game, Rutgers had lost one fumble all season.

Rutgers got another chance with 6:39 left after blocking a 22-yard field goal attempt by Kyle Bronson. But USF cornerback Mike Jenkins intercepted a pass from Mike Teel, who replaced a shaken-up Hart. USF corner Trae Williams intercepted another Rutgers pass on the Scarlet Knights' final possession of the game before the Bulls kneeled down for three plays to end the game.

The Bulls took control late in the opening quarter when Johnnie Jones picked off Hart and returned the interception 32 yards to make it 14-0. USF needed just 86 seconds to go up by three scores. This time, Hart fumbled after being hit by defensive end Jason Allen. Terrence Royal scooped up the ball and returned it 11 yards for a touchdown.

Royal also set up a later 2-yard touchdown run by Hall by picking off a tipped pass from Hart.

USF quarterback Pat Julmiste was 13-for-21 for 135 yards and ran for a 1-yard score. Hall's 35 carries were a career-high and he also eclipsed the 2,000-yard career rushing mark in his 18th game at USF. Additionally, he became the school's all-time leader in total touchdowns with 23 and he tied for the career lead (with Marquel Blackwell) in rushing TDs with 20.

USF hadn't played since a 31-17 loss to Pittsburgh on Oct. 15. In the ensuing weeks, it had two scheduled byes and a game against West Virginia postponed until Dec. 3 because of Hurricane Wilma.

The Bulls certainly looked rested when the game began. After forcing the Scarlet Knights to go three and out on the game's first drive, USF went 83 yards in 10 plays, taking a 7-0 lead when Hall went in from 2 yards out.

The two defensive scores then put South Florida up 21-0. The Bulls defense forced a total of six turnovers with four interceptions and two fumble recoveries.