PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) -- Quarterback Brian Madden rushed for 167 yards and two touchdowns as Navy defeated Rutgers 34-7 Saturday.

Madden, who nearly engineered an upset over Notre Dame in his first career start last week, ran 30 times against Rutgers. He has rushed for 235 yards and three TDs since taking over for the injured Brian Broadwater.

Navy (3-6) snapped a three-game losing streak. Rutgers (0-9) needs a win over Syracuse or Miami to avoid its second 0-11 season in three years.

Trailing 20-0 late in the third quarter, the Scarlet Knights got back in the game when Phil Douglas blocked a punt by Tray Calisch and Jason Ohene returned it 3 yards to make it 20-7.

Navy came right back on its next possession when John Vereen scored on a career-long, 53-yard run to make it 27-7 with 1:15 left in the third quarter. The Midshipmen, who gained 371 of their 481 yards on the ground, closed the scoring on Raheem Lambert's 61-yard run.

Rutgers finished with only 191 yards of total offense and rushed for a season-low 7 yards on 26 carries.

Navy gained 247 yards in the first half and scored the first three times it had the ball for a 17-0 lead.

Madden's 7-yard run, on which he broke three tackles, capped an 85-yard, eight-play drive. Tim Shubzda kicked a 45-yard field goal to make it 10-0, and Madden's 29-yard TD run capped an 88-yard drive and drew loud boos from the Scarlet Knight fans.

Madden had 130 yards rushing in the first half, 37 more than the entire Rutgers team.

The Midshipmen drove from their 23 to the Rutgers 16 at the end of the half, but Shahib White's first career interception at the 1-yard line thwarted the drive with 11 seconds remaining.

Rutgers freshman Chad Schwenk completed 17 of 32 passes for 149 yards and no interceptions in his first college start.