Rutgers Scarlet Knights Dismantle Howard Bison in Season Opener
In a commanding display of football, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights opened their season with a decisive victory over the Howard Bison, setting the tone for what promises to be an electrifying season. The home team's triumph left them with a pristine 1-0 record, while the Bison found themselves grappling with an early setback at 0-1. The scoreboard read 44-7 by game's end, a testament to Rutgers' sheer dominance on both offense and defense throughout the match.
The clash took place at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, drawing an impressive crowd of 47,803 spectators who bore witness to Rutgers' superior performance. The Scarlet Knights showcased their prowess on both ends of the field, effectively utilizing their offensive and defensive units to clinch this win. Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis was particularly noteworthy; he completed 15 out of his 24 attempts for a total of 147 yards and three touchdowns, boasting an impressive passer rating of 155.2. His synergy with wide receiver Dymere Miller proved lethal for Howard's defense as Miller secured four passes for 37 yards and one touchdown.
On the ground, Rutgers was simply unstoppable. They racked up an astonishing total of 329 rushing yards across 46 attempts. Running back Kyle Monangai stood out with his remarkable performance—rushing for 165 yards on just nineteen carries and adding one touchdown to his name. Antwan Raymond also made significant contributions with his agility on the field, scoring another touchdown and amassing forty-nine rushing yards.
Rutgers' defense was equally formidable; they effectively neutralized Howard's offense throughout the game while allowing only seven points against them. Jordan Walker made notable contributions by recording one sack along with a quarterback hit that underscored his impact defensively during the game. Eric Rogers further highlighted Rutgers' defensive strength by returning an interception fifty-two yards all the way to score a touchdown.
The special teams unit also played its part in securing this comprehensive team victory; kicker Jai Patel flawlessly converted all five extra-point attempts besides adding another three points through his sole field goal attempt from thirty-six yards out.
Looking ahead, Rutgers is set to host Akron Zips at SHI Stadium in Piscataway on September seventh at twelve noon EDT. Fans eager for more action can catch this upcoming contest live from SHI Stadium via BTN satellite channel six hundred ten.