On Saturday, Rutgers football (5-4, 2-4) is on the road to take on Maryland (4-5, 1-5) at SECU Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. on FS1. Since joining the Big Ten Conference in 2014, the Scarlet Knights and the Terrapins faced off every season. Head coach Greg Schiano and the Scarlet Knights will seek their third Big Ten win to match the program high set in 2014, 2017, 2020, and 2023.
The last time out, Rutgers football completed a fourth-quarter comeback to defeat Minnesota 26-19. It was the first win for the Scarlet Knights over the Golden Gophers in four attempts. RU’s win marks the 16th fourth-quarter comeback win under Schiano. Also, Rutgers improved to 13-6 coming off a bye week under Schiano, including 2-0 this season.
The Scarlet Knights’ defense was the focal point in their victory over Minnesota. RU held Minnesota to a season-low 35 rushing yards, including minus 25 in the fourth quarter. It was the second-lowest rushing total Rutgers has permitted in a Big Ten game since joining the league, behind the 12 allowed versus Northwestern in 2023. The Rutgers defense had a season-high eight tackles for loss and matched its season-high with four sacks.
On offense, quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis had his third game of the season with three touchdown passes. Also, running back Antwan Raymond made his first collegiate start, carrying the ball 22 times for 73 yards.
As for Maryland, the Terrapins lost to No. 1 Oregon 39-18. Quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. recorded 206 yards on 22 completions for one touchdown and two interceptions. Maryland recorded 83 rushing yards on 31 carries with a touchdown.
Rutgers football vs Maryland: Series History
Since joining the Big Ten Conference, Maryland holds a 7-3 record against the Scarlet Knights. On Saturday, Rutgers will try to snap a three-game losing streak as the Terps have scored 24+ points in all ten games (longest streak against an opponent in school history). The last time the two teams met in College Park in 2022, the Terps shut out the Scarlet Knights 37-0, marking the first Big Ten shutout for the program. The Maryland defense held Rutgers to only 135 yards and forced ten punts.
Rutgers last won the series in 2020. The Scarlet Knights rallied from a 24-21 deficit to defeat Maryland. RU went on an 11-play 61-yard drive that ended with Valentino Ambrosio hitting a 39-yard field goal to force overtime. After Ambrosio connected a 42-yard field goal in overtime, the defense held Maryland without a first down, forcing a 50-yard field goal attempt. The field goal sailed wide left and set a 27-24 final score.
Key Players to Watch for Rutgers Football
6-foot-2, 240-pound junior linebacker Dariel Djabome is a must-watch for the Scarlet Knights on defense. Djabome leads the team with 83 tackles, ranking 18th nationally and fourth in the Big Ten with 9.2 tackles per game. Also, he matched his career high last week with 14 tackles in a winning effort over Maryland.
On offense, keep an eye out on Kaliakmanis. The 6-foot-3, 213-pound quarterback has led the Scarlet Knights’ offense all season. He has thrown 12 touchdown passes and accumulated 1,890 yards through the air. Also, the passing offense has totaled 574 more yards than at the same point last season.
Key Players for Maryland
Maryland has an explosive wide receiver in Tai Felton. Felton has recorded 80 receptions, 979 receiving yards, and six receiving touchdowns through nine games. Also, he leads the Big Ten in receptions and receiving yards and is sixth in receiving touchdowns. His 80 receptions are the most among power conference players and his 907 receiving yards rank fourth. Felton has 214 more receiving yards than the next closest Big Ten receiver, Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith. With an explosive wide receiver comes a strong quarterback. Redshirt junior Billy Edwards Jr. currently ranks No. 5 among all FBS quarterbacks and No. 1 in the Big Ten Conference in completions per game (26.22). Edwards Jr. was named to the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Top 25 on Oct. 7, ranks No. 11 nationally and No. 3 in the Big Ten in passing yards per game (280.0).
Keys to Victory
Maryland has scored at least 10 points in all 28 of its home games since the beginning of the 2020 season. Also, the Terrapins are leading the Big Ten in passing offense this season (302.4 per game) after leading the conference last season (278.9). Rutgers defense will need to slow down Edwards Jr. and Felton if RU wants success on Saturday.
Rutgers ranks first nationally in fewest penalty yards against per game (29.56), second in fewest penalties per game (3.89), 12th in fewest turnovers surrendered (7) and 24th in fewest tackles-for-loss allowed (4.11). Also, Rutgers is 15-2 since 2020 when not committing a turnover in a game. If the Scarlet Knights limit the penalties and play turnover-free, RU can win their third Big Ten game this season.
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