RUTGERS (4-1, 1-1) vs. WISCONSIN (3-2, 1-1)
October 12, 2024 • Noon ET • Big Ten Network
SHI Stadium • Piscataway, N.J.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers football is back at SHI Stadium to host Wisconsin Saturday at noon. The Scarlet Out is presented by PNC. It will also be Band Day with special performances during the game and at halftime featuring bands from schools throughout the state. The Scarlet Knights have won eight of their last 10 home games.

Fans will receive a free scarlet Block R t-shirt upon entering the stadium while supplies last. Visit the Rutgers Shop for the latest RU gear. Fans are encouraged to wear red to the game.

The Rutgers Boardwalk, presented by VisitNJ.org, opens at 8 a.m. and will host the second annual "Food Truck Festival." Over 30 local New Jersey food trucks with a wide variety of cuisines and tastes will line the walkway. The Rutgers Boardwalk also features staples such as free rides, games, interactive experiences, prizes and live entertainment for the whole family. Giveaways include "Beat Wisconsin" buttons and shakers. The week's pin for the Rutgers Kid's Club celebrates the Marching Scarlet Knights, as members can stop by the stage to pick up.



During the game, Rutgers looks forward to its recognition of the Scarlet Society. The Scarlet Society is the top giving level of RFund. An elite group characterized by their passion, loyalty and generosity, the Scarlet Society has made a tremendous impact on student-athletes and coaches through its commitment to Rutgers Athletics.

Fans will see an improved entry process at SHI Stadium for the remainder of the season. During our efforts to amplify safety measures at SHI Stadium, we have seen these changes present increased congestion at stadium gates and longer than expected wait times. Through the feedback we have received in our postgame surveys from our season ticket holders, fans and guests, the following adjustments will take effect immediately:

• Fans are permitted to enter ALL gates with an approved bag (view bag policy).
• Fans are permitted to walk through the weapons detection system with an approved bag.



In an effort to encourage a safe environment for fans, as well as improve the ease of entry into the stadium, Rutgers continues to use mobile tickets, which can be added to an Apple Wallet or Google Wallet app. Digital tickets provide for contactless entry, which can speed up entry time into the venue and also offers a secure means to transfer and exchange tickets. Representatives from the Rutgers ticket staff will be on hand to help assist customers with any digital ticket-related matters. Fans will also receive mobile parking passes that they can manage like their digital tickets. Fans are encouraged to download mobile tickets and parking passes to their Apple Wallet or Google Wallet apps prior to arriving at the stadium.

SHI Stadium is now cashless at all merchandise and concession stands with the exception of parking lots, the ticket office and food trucks on The Rutgers Boardwalk. Cash-to-card kiosks (no fees) are available at sections 104 and 124 to convert cash to a debit card. Cards can be loaded for any value up to $500 and cards will work anywhere in the U.S. that accepts MasterCard. No cardholder information is gathered, while purchases and refunds are handled like any other credit card.

Fans who park in the Jersey Mike's Arena lots can take the free campus buses over to SHI Stadium (MAP). The drop-off area is located at Lot 53A, allowing fans to walk through The Rutgers Boardwalk on the way to the stadium. The return to Jersey Mike's Arena picks up near the Bubble on the Green Lot side. Buses from College Ave will run to Johnson Park and back. All buses operate three hours prior to kickoff and return up to one hour following the conclusion of the game. The ADA shuttles will continue to take passengers to and from the stadium with locations at the Blue Lot, Silver Lot and Jersey Mike's Arena, in service until 2.5 hours after the game.

Guests are advised to review Football Game Day Central before arriving.



TV: Big Ten Network (FOX Sports app)
Play-By-Play: Jeff Levering
Analyst: Jake Butt
Reporter: Brooke Fletcher

Radio: RWJBarnabas Health Rutgers Sports Network
WFAN 660-AM/101.9-FM, FOX Sports New Jersey 93.5-FM/1450-AM, SiriusXM 106/196, SXM app, Audacy app, Scarlet Knights app
Play-By-Play: Chris Carlin
Analyst: Eric LeGrand
Analyst: Mike Teel
Sideline: Anthony Fucilli
Engineer: Paul Shrager
Pre/Post: Marc Malusis & Julian Pinnix-Odrick

Student Radio: WRSU 88.7-FM
Eddie Kalegi, Nick Hart & Jess Buckley
 

SCOUTING RUTGERS

• Rutgers is 4-1 to start the season for the second consecutive year.
• Rutgers ranks second nationally in blocked punts (2), fourth in fewest penalties per game (4.0), sixth in red zone defense (61.5 percent), 17th in scoring defense (15.8), 18th in time of possession (32:36), 19th in fewest turnovers surrendered (4), 20th in first downs defense (81), 22nd in rushing offense (205.8) and 28th in passing defense (176.4).
• Rutgers is 15-1 since 2020 when not committing a turnover in a game.
• Rutgers has scored 63 non-offensive touchdowns under head coach Greg Schiano, including 12 since 2020.
• Rutgers, "The Birthplace of College Football," has played 1,414 games in program history on record dating back to 1869, the most in the sport.


 

LAST TIME OUT

• Rutgers held Nebraska scoreless and to 55 yards of total offense in the second half, but was unable to overcome the Cornhuskers' two touchdowns in the first half in a 14-7 loss at Memorial Stadium. It was the Scarlet Knights' first trip to Lincoln since 2017.
• Both DB Flip Dixon and LB Jamier Wright-Collins blocked punts in the game. It was the 15th game Rutgers blocked multiple kicks under head coach Greg Schiano.
• Dixon recorded his third career interception, while LB Dariel Djabome, DL Kyonte Hamilton, DL Aaron Lewis and DL Jordan Thompson all collected sacks.
• Overall, the defense held Nebraska to 15 first downs and 261 yards of total offense.
• QB Athan Kaliakmanis found WR Ben Black for an 11-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter. RB Kyle Monangai rushed for 78 yards on 19 carries.
• WR KJ Duff, DB Bo Mascoe and OL Taj White all made their first career starts.
• The game-time temperature was 97 degrees.
 

OFFENSE

• Kirk Ciarrocca is in his second season back as Rutgers' offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2024. Ciarrocca has over 30 years of coaching experience (20 as an offensive coordinator). He has been selected as a semifinalist for the Broyles Award and coached 27 players who had their name called in the NFL Draft (six in the first round). Ciarrocca has coached the Big Ten's leading rusher each of the past two seasons (Monangai, Mohamed Ibrahim).
• Rutgers has 13 quarters since 2023 possessing the ball for at least 10 minutes, six such fourth quarters.
• QB Athan Kaliakmanis has thrown eight touchdown passes and accumulated 947 yards through the air.
• RB Kyle Monangai ranks fourth nationally with 133.4 rushing yards per game. He is now sixth on the program's leaderboard with 2,609 career yards, needing 166 yards to tie Brian Leonard (2003-06) for fifth place.
• WR Dymere Miller has multiple receptions in all five games and leads the team with 262 receiving yards. TE Kenny Fletcher paces the offense with 19 catches and ranks 19th nationally (third in Big Ten) among tight ends with 3.8 receptions per game.
 

DEFENSE

• Joe Harasymiak is in his third season as the Rutgers football defensive coordinator in 2024. A native of Waldwick, New Jersey, Harasymiak also leads the linebackers and has been a nominee for the Broyles Award each of the past two seasons.
• Rutgers has held opponents scoreless on five trips to the red zone.
• LB Dariel Djabome leads the team with 44 tackles, ranking 32nd nationally and fourth in the Big Ten with 8.8 tackles per game.
• DB Shaquan Loyal leads the team with five passes defended (four breakups, one interception).
• Eight different players have recorded a sack.
 

SPECIAL TEAMS

• Rutgers has blocked 73 kicks (43 punts, 17 field goals, 13 extra points) under head coach Greg Schiano. That includes 15 games with multiple blocks, 15 touchdowns off blocks and two resulting in safeties. The Scarlet Knights lead the nation with 10 blocked punts over the previous three seasons.
• PK Jai Patel has connected on 17-of-23 career field goals with a long of 51 yards.
• P Jakob Anderson has forced 11 fair catches with seven punts overall downed inside the 20 on 19 attempts.


 

VERSUS WISCONSIN

• Rutgers will play Wisconsin for the sixth time since joining the Big Ten in 2014 and third time in Piscataway. The programs did not previously meet.
• Last year in Madison, Rutgers outscored Wisconsin in the second half, 13-7, but was unable to overcome a 17-0 halftime deficit in a 24-13 loss at Camp Randall Stadium. DL Wesley Bailey posted a career-high two sacks, with Max Melton and LB Mohamed Toure each forcing a fumble. WR Ian Strong and Aaron Young each had touchdown receptions.
• Rutgers has two players from the state of Wisconsin on the roster: OL Carter Kadow (Middleton) and LB Sam Pilof (Middleton).
• Rutgers game highs versus Wisconsin:
Rushing Yards: Josh Hicks, 72 (2015)
Passing Yards: Artur Sitkowski, 261 (2018)
Receiving Yards: Raheem Blackshear, 162 (2018)
 

UP NEXT

Rutgers football's matchup against UCLA at SHI Stadium on Oct. 19 will be part of Homecoming & Family Weekend on campus. Kickoff is set for noon on FS1.

Follow Rutgers football on X (@RFootball & @RUboardwalk), Facebook (/RFootballShow) and Instagram (@rfootball & @ruboardwalk) for the latest news and updates. Also subscribe to the YouTube channel.