The Rutgers Scarlet Knights (1-0) football team started the 2024 season on a high note with a 44-7 over the Howard Bison (0-1) in their home opener. The 2023 Big Ten Conference rushing champion Kyle Monangai had an excellent performance on the ground, matching his career-best 165 rushing yards. Monangai finished the game with 19 carries and a touchdown, leading Rutgers victory over two-time defending Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champion Howard on Thursday night.
In his Rutgers debut, quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis had a solid game, completing 15-of-24 passes for 147 yards and three touchdowns. He finished the game with a 67.7 quarterback rating and averaged 6.1 yards per throw.
Also in his Rutgers debut, Monmouth transfer Dymere Miller led the Scarlet Knights in receiving yards with four receptions for 37 yards.
On the defensive side, freshman linebacker Dariel Djabome led the Rutgers defense with 14 total tackles (five solo).
Rutgers takes the lead in the first quarter
RU got on the board first when defensive back Eric Rogers intercepted a pass from Howard quarterback Ja’Shawn Scroggins for 52 yards giving Rutgers a 7-0 lead (Jai Patel’s extra point was good). Rogers’s interception was the only takeaway for the Scarlet Knights. Rutgers held the Bison football team off the scoreboard to take its 7-0 lead into the second quarter.
Jersey knows how to FINISH 😤@kajsanders_ | @BergenCathFBall
— Rutgers Football (@RFootball) August 30, 2024
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Rutgers’ offense got going in the second quarter
With a 7-0 lead, the Scarlet Knights didn’t take their foot off the gas. Rutgers outscored Howard, 10-0, in the second quarter, highlighted by a two-yard touchdown pass from Kaliakmanis to Miller. Rutgers capped off a seven-play, 55-yard scoring drive, marking the first touchdown as Scarlet Knights for Kaliakmanis and Miller.
The Bison answered with a 10-play, 76-yard scoring drive of their own, capped off with a two-yard rushing touchdown from running back Eden James. James’ touchdown would be the only score the Scarlet Knights would give up all game.
Kyle Monangai is putting on a show in front of the home crowd in Piscataway 😤#B1GFootball x @RFootball pic.twitter.com/q1hQY4UUxT
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) August 30, 2024
With only 34 seconds before halftime, RU marched down the field in a five-play, 61-yard drive to add three more points to their lead. Monangai produced a 31-yard carry to get into Howard’s territory, setting up a 36-yard field goal from kicker Jai Patel, giving Rutgers a 17-7 at the half.Â
Rutgers came out firing in the third quarter
After forcing a turnover-on-downs, the Scarlet Knights got the ball back, resulting in an eight-play, 59-yard scoring drive. Monangai punched it in on a seven-yard rush to put Rutgers up 24-7 with 8:06 left in the third quarter. The former Don Bosco Prep prospect had rushes of 17 and 13 yards during the scoring run.Â
The Rutgers defense held the Howard offense to another three and out, leading to another scoring opportunity for their offense. While inside Bison territory, Kaliakmanis dropped back and found junior running back Samuel Brown V for a 34-yard touchdown pass. Brown V’s scoring reception made it 31-7 with 2:34 before the final quarter.
Rutgers finished strong in the fourth quarter
The Scarlet Knights closed the game with two touchdowns in the fourth quarter. With 4:16 remaining, Kaliakmanis fired a two-yard touchdown to junior tight end Kenny Fletcher to make it 38-7, marking the first career touchdown for Fletcher. After the defense forced a turnover-on-downs, freshman running back Antwan Raymond scampered in from 11 yards out for his first career score as time expired to put the finishing touch on a 44-7 victory.
For the 514 🇨🇦 @antwan_official | @Canada pic.twitter.com/2bUtdcrViD
— Rutgers Football (@RFootball) August 30, 2024
The Scarlet Knights finished the game with 29 first downs and 476 yards. Also, the Scarlet Knights finished with a 33:14 time of possession and a 50 percent third down conversion rate. As a team, RU rushed for 329 rushing yards on 46 attempts.Â
Rutgers is now 12-4 in season openers under head coach Greg Schiano, improving to 82-64-9 in program history. Also, Rutgers improved to 103-40-11 in home openers, winning 13 of the last 15 (11-5 under Schiano).
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