On Thursday, December 26, Rutgers football (7-5) travels to Phoenix to take on Kansas State (8-4) in the 2024 Rate Bowl at Chase Field. Having won three of its last four games, the Scarlet Knights are 6-2 in bowl games under head coach Greg Schiano. Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. local) with coverage on ESPN.
This will mark RU’s second trip to the Rate Bowl. The game, set for its 35th edition, was titled the Insight Bowl when the Scarlet Knights took on Arizona State in 2005. The Wildcats, bowl eligible for the fifth time in six seasons, are making their Rate Bowl record fifth appearance with a 3-1 mark in their previous trips.
The last time out, the Scarlet Knights defeated Michigan State 41-14 at Spartan Stadium. The 41 points scored were the most by the Scarlet Knights in 16 meetings against the Spartans. Also, the 27-point win was the largest margin of victory for RU in the series. Rutgers posted points on 8-of-9 drives with running back Kyle Monangai leading the Rutgers offense.
Monangai rushed for 129 yards on a career-high 31 carries with a touchdown. It was his sixth 100-yard game of the season and he moved to 3,221 career yards, second-most on the program’s all-time leaderboard. Rutgers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis completed 13 passes for 157 yards and a touchdown to wide receiver Ian Strong. Strong became the first Scarlet Knight to record a receiving touchdown in four straight games since Mark Harrison in 2010.
Linebacker Dariel Djabome led the team on defense with seven tackles and one sack. Also, defensive lineman Jordan Walker had a sack, and defensive back Bo Mascoe recorded his first interception. The defense held Michigan State to 13 first downs, a season-low allowed.
As for Kansas State, the Wildcats lost their last matchup to Iowa State 29-21. Quarterback Avery Johnson completed 12 of 28 passes for 220 yards and three touchdowns. Also, Johnson added 64 yards on 13 carries on the ground. DJ Giddens led the Wildcat’s rushing attack with 14 carries for 72 yards.
2024 Rate Bowl Game: Rutgers vs. Kansas State
The Scarlet Knights will face Kansas State for the second time in a bowl game. In the 2006 Texas Bowl at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Rutgers defeated Kansas State, 37-10, for the program’s first bowl championship. The win capped an 11-2 season for the Scarlet Knights that saw a final AP ranking of No. 12. Kansas State will join Arizona State as a repeat bowl opponent for the Scarlet Knights.
Former Rutgers running back Ray Rice rushed for 170 yards on 24 carries with a touchdown to earn the game’s Most Valuable Player. Meanwhile, quarterback Mike Teel went 6-for-28 passing for 268 yards and two touchdown passes. Tim Brown and Clark Harris led RU in receiving, totaling 11 receptions for 223 yards and a touchdown.
The Rutgers defense held Kansas State to six first downs, 31 rushing yards, 162 yards of total offense, 1-for-10 on third down, and no touchdowns in the game.
Rutgers game highs versus Kansas State
- Rushing Yards: Ray Rice, 170 (2006)
- Passing Yards: Mike Teel, 368 (2006)
- Receiving Yards: Clark Harris, 122 (2006)
Players to watch for Rutgers football
On defense, linebackers Dariel Djabome and Tyreem Powell are players to watch in this bowl game. Djabome leads the team with 102 tackles, ranking fifth in the Big Ten with 8.5 tackles per game. He’s also led the team in tackles in 7-of-12 games, has five games in double figures, and is the first Scarlet Knight to reach triple digits in a season since Olakunle Fatukasi in 2020.
As for Powell, the senior linebacker is a semifinalist for the Comeback Player of the Year Award. He recorded 193 career tackles with 11.5 for loss, five sacks, nine pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and an interception.
On offense, the Scarlet Knights produced a 2,000-yard passer (QB Athan Kaliakmanis), a 1,000-yard rusher (RB Kyle Monangai), and two 500-yard receivers (WR Dymere Miller and WR Ian Strong) in the same season for the first time since 2012. These players have been key playmakers for RU all season long as Rutgers is averaging 27.9 points per game, on track for its best mark since 2009 (28.8).
Players to watch for Kansas State
Running back DJ Giddens and quarterback Avery Johnson have been the playmakers for the Wildcat’s offense. Heading into the 2024 Rate Bowl, Giddens has recorded 1,346 yards on 205 carries with seven touchdowns. He is averaging 6.6 yards per attempt and 111.92 yards per game. As for Johnson, he has been a duel-threat quarterback all season long. On the ground, Johnson has recorded 548 yards on 102 carries with six touchdowns. The sophomore quarterback has registered 2,517 yards on 202 completions with 22 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He is averaging 209.75 yards per game this season.
On defense, sophomore linebacker Austin Romaine is the Wildcat’s defensive anchor. Romaine has recorded 89 total tackles (50 solo and 39 assists) and three forced fumbles. Also, safety Marques Sigle leads the team with three interceptions to go with his 55 total tackles.
Keys to Victory for Rutgers
Slowing down Johnson will be the key to a RU victory. Despite winning three out of their last four games, the Wildcats have a superior quarterback situation and fewer opt-outs. Rutgers has a strong ground attack and will look to control the clock in this matchup. Look for a heavy dose of Monangai on the ground.
On defense, Rutgers needs to stop the Wildcat’s rushing attack. Kansas State is a dominant rushing team behind the trio of DJ Giddens, Dylan Edwards, and quarterback Avery Johnson. Kansas State entered conference championship weekend with the No. 18 rushing offense in the country at 204.5 yards per game. The Wildcats average 5.86 rushing yards per carry and 6.5 offensive yards per play – both of which are the top marks in school history. Controlling the clock and stopping the run will be keys to RU’s 2024 Rate Bowl victory.
Mike Cavallo
A sportswriter for The League Winners covering all Rutgers athletics. Follow my social media page for all coverage of Rutgers sports. X (Twitter): @M_Cavs55