On Friday, September 27, Rutgers football (3-0) will take on Washington (3-1) for the third time and first in Big Ten play. The Rutgers home game will be their blackout game, and fans are encouraged to wear black and enter SHI Stadium by 7:30 p.m. to help “light up Piscataway“. The game is set for an 8 p.m. start with coverage on FOX.
The Scarlet Knights are coming off a road win at Virginia Tech, as Rutgers opens Big Ten football play hosting the Huskies. As for Washington, the Huskies are coming off their first Big Ten victory last week when they defeated Northwestern 24-5. Friday’s matchup against the Scarlet Knights will mark the Huskies’ first road game as a Big Ten member.
Big Ten Football Showdown
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Washington Huskies have faced off twice in program history as they prepare to face each other for a third time in Friday’s Big Ten football matchup. In 2016 and 2017, the Huskies and Scarlet Knights played in the season-opener with Washington capturing both victories.
During the 2016 season, the Huskies defeated Rutgers 48-13 in their first-ever football match-up. Husky quarterback Jake Browning completed 18 of 27 passes for 287 yards and three touchdowns; while the Huskies got help on special teams in the form of a touchdown on a kickoff return from John Ross and another by Dante Pettis on a punt return.
𝘡𝘰𝘰𝘮! 𝘡𝘰𝘰𝘮! 🏃💨
Enjoy Dante Pettis' highlight punt return TD in @UW_Football's 2017 win at Rutgers. #TouchdownTuesday x @dmainy_13 pic.twitter.com/T2aFSyz7Xt
— Washington on BTN (@WashingtonOnBTN) February 6, 2024
The Huskies scored 24 points in the first quarter to take a controlling lead. Rutgers’ Janarion Grant led the Scarlet Knights with 160 all-purpose yards and a rushing touchdown.
Rutgers opened its 2017 season by hosting No. 8 Washington on a Friday night. The Knights took the early lead, but the Huskies rallied for a 30-14 win. Rutgers running back Gus Edwards led the team in rushing (24 attempts, 79 yards). Redshirt freshman cornerback Byron Murphy was the star of the game for Washington, who notched two interceptions in his collegiate debut.
Byron Murphy's second INT of gamehttps://t.co/Cje4Hr2wJz pic.twitter.com/WFVzUitw55
— Hardcore Husky (@HardcoreHusky) September 7, 2017
Rutgers Football game highs versus Washington
- Rushing Yards: Gus Edwards, 79 (2017)
- Passing Yards: Kyle Bolin, 178 (2017
- Receiving Yards: Janarion Grant, 56 (2016)
Key Players for Rutgers
The key offensive players for the Scarlet Knights are star running back Kyle Monangai and starting quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis.
The Scarlet Knights are 20th nationally with 471.0 yards of total offense per game and have posted at least 400 yards in each of the three games. Kaliakmanis has completed 45 of 72 passes (62.5 percent) for 646 yards and six touchdowns through the first three games of the 2024 season.
As for the former Don Bosco Prep prospect, Monangai ranks third nationally with 152.3 rushing yards per game. Also, he is 16th with five rushing touchdowns. Monangai is 36 yards away from moving into eighth on the program’s career leaderboard.
On defense, the Scarlet Knights have improved by 83 yards per game since defensive coordinator Joe Harasymiak took over three seasons ago. RU has recorded a takeaway in 11 consecutive games dating back to last season; its longest streak since a 19-game run from 2011-13.
Defensive backs Shaquan Loyal, Robert Longerbeam, and Eric Rogers have interceptions this season. Longerbeam leads the unit with 32 career passes defended (26 breakups, three interceptions) and five forced fumbles. Keep an eye out on linebacker Dariel Djabome who is leading RU’s defense in tackles with 24.
Key Players for Washington
Washington has won 16 conference games in a row (though, of course, the Huskies have changed conferences) and has not allowed a touchdown in three of four games this season.
Keep an eye out for quarterback Will Rogers who is No. 1 in career attempts (1,987), completions (1,385), and completion percentage (.697) among active FBS players. Also, he ranks No. 2 in passing yards (13,363) and touchdowns (102). On the ground, keep an eye out for running back Johan Coleman. Coleman has averaged 7.5 yards per carry on 41 attempts with three touchdowns this season.
On defense, look for inside linebacker Alphonzo Tuputala to be an impact player. Tuputala leads Washington in tackles with 18 and has 1.5 sacks in the early season. Cornerback Thaddeus Dixon is an impact player within Washington’s secondary, leading the Huskies in interceptions with one.
Keys to victory
In this Big Ten football showdown, Rutgers needs to control the line of scrimmage and establish the running game with Monangai if they want to be successful. Monangai can lead RU to victory if his offensive line can open up holes.
Also, if the Rutgers line can keep Kaliakmanis upright, the Scarlet Knights can move the ball down the field. Rutgers has scored points in each of the first 12 quarters and hasn’t allowed a point in the first quarter this season. As for Washington, Rogers’s arm will carry the Huskies in this matchup. He is Washington’s best offensive player and will lead the Huskies’ offense on Friday.
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