RUTGERS (2-0) at VIRGINIA TECH (2-1)
September 21, 2024 • 3:30 p.m. ET • ACC Network
Lane Stadium • Blacksburg, Va.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers football hits the road for the first time this season with a trip to face Virginia Tech Saturday. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. on ACC Network. The Scarlet Knights last visited Lane Stadium in 2002.

RU ranks first nationally in sacks allowed (0.0), fourth in rushing offense (307.0), fifth in red zone defense (50.0), sixth in third down conversion percentage (57.9), ninth in scoring offense (46.5), 13th in fewest penalties per game (4.0), 16th in total offense (495.5), 20th in passing defense (133.5), 23rd in time of possession (32:52) and 25th in scoring defense (12.0).

TV: ACC Network (Watch ESPN)
Play-By-Play: Chris Cotter
Analyst: Mark Herzlich
Reporter: Coley Harvey

Radio: RWJBarnabas Health Rutgers Sports Network
WFAN 660-AM/101.9-FM, FOX Sports New Jersey 93.5-FM/1450-AM, SiriusXM 108/197, SXM app, Audacy app, Scarlet Knights app
Play-By-Play: Chris Carlin
Analyst: Julian Pinnix-Odrick
Sideline: Anthony Fucilli
Engineer: Paul Shrager
Pre/Post: Marc Malusis & Eric LeGrand

Student Radio: WRSU 88.7-FM
Eddie Kalegi & Woody Silverstein


 

SCOUTING RUTGERS

• Rutgers seeks to start 3-0 for the fourth straight season.
• Rutgers has rushed for 614 yards, the most for the Scarlet Knights through two games of a season since 1973 (635).
• Rutgers scored at least 40 points in each of the first two games of the season for the first time in program history. The Scarlet Knights have scored points in each of the first eight quarters.
• Rutgers has recorded a takeaway in 10 consecutive games dating back to last season, its longest streak since a 19-game run from 2011-13.
• Rutgers is 11-6 coming off a bye week, 12-4 in season openers and 6-2 in bowl games under head coach Greg Schiano.
• Rutgers has won nine consecutive non-conference games and 13 of the last 14. The Scarlet Knights are 52-20 overall in such games under Schiano.
• Rutgers, "The Birthplace of College Football," has played 1,411 games in program history on record dating back to 1869, the most in the sport.
 

LAST TIME OUT

• RB Kyle Monangai rushed for a career-high 208 yards and three touchdowns to help Rutgers to a 49-17 win over Akron at SHI Stadium. It was the second all-time meeting between the programs and first since 1990.
• Rutgers posted 515 yards of offense, its first time topping 500 against an FBS opponent since 2019 versus Massachusetts, and had a run of six consecutive drives with a touchdown to pull away from the Zips.
• QB Athan Kaliakmanis finished with 14 completions for 230 yards and three touchdowns, finding WR KJ Duff, TE Kenny Fletcher and WR Chris Long on scoring plays.
• Monangai averaged 7.7 yards per carry during his career outing, which included a career-long 62-yard rush in the first half. With his 208 yards on the ground, Monangai became the first RU player since 2014 (Josh Hicks) to go over 200 yards in a game. His performance earned Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week, his second time earning the honor.
• Kaliakmanis' 230 passing yards and Monangai's 208 rushing yards marked the first time the Scarlet Knights had a player reach 200 in both categories in a game since Mike Teel (303 passing) and Ray Rice (280 rushing) both reached the number in the 2008 International Bowl versus Ball State.
• The defense held the Zips to three points in the first half. DL Malcolm Ray and DB Eric Rogers both registered sacks, DB Shaquan Loyal registered his first interception of the season and DB Robert Longerbeam batted down two passes.
 

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 eight games since 2023 with at least 200 yards rushing and six games with at least 250.
• Rutgers has scored a touchdown on 11-of-13 trips to the red zone this year.
• Monangai ranks second nationally with 186.5 rushing yards per game, fourth with 8.1 yards per carry and sixth with 12.0 points scored per game. He has not taken a carry in the fourth quarter yet this year and has rushed for at least 100 yards in four consecutive games dating back to last year.
• Kaliakmanis has thrown six touchdown passes through two games, including a career-long 58-yard scoring pass to Long. WR Dymere Miller leads the unit with eight catches for 114 yards, while Fletcher has a touchdown in each of the first two weeks.
 

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. The Scarlet Knights have improved by 83 yards per game since he joined the staff.
• Rutgers has not allowed a point in the first quarter through two games.
• LB Dariel Djabome leads the team with 19 tackles, including 14 in the first game versus Howard.
• Loyal and Rogers each have interceptions so far and 10 different players have been in on a tackle-for-loss.
• Longerbeam leads the unit with 31 career passes defended (26 breakups, three interceptions) and five forced fumbles.
 

SPECIAL TEAMS

• Rutgers has blocked 71 kicks (41 punts, 17 field goals, 13 extra points) under Schiano. That includes 12 games with multiple blocks and a 9-4 record when returning or recovering a blocked punt for a touchdown in a game.
• PK Jai Patel went 15-of-18 (83.3 percent) on field goals last year, the most accurate season in program history. He has made all 13 kicks so far this season (12 extra points, one field goal).
• P Jakob Anderson has pinned three of his first four attempts inside the 20.


 

VERSUS VIRGINIA TECH

• Rutgers will take on Virginia Tech for the 17th time overall and seventh time in Virginia. The Hokies lead the series, 12-4. The last meeting at Lane Stadium was in 2002.
• Last year at SHI Stadium, Rutgers defeated Virginia Tech, 35-16. The victory snapped a 12-game skid against the Hokies. The Scarlet Knights took advantage of an early Virginia Tech fumble that was recovered by DL Wesley Bailey. Monangai took the next snap 19 yards to the end zone. He finished with 143 yards and three scores, including one for 55 yards, and earned Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week. WR Christian Dremel hauled in a four-yard receiving touchdown. LB Tyreem Powell racked up a career-high 11 tackles and DB Flip Dixon added an interception on defense.
• The programs played each season from 1992-2003 as members of the Big East Conference.
• RU and VT met on the gridiron in the 2012 Russell Athletic Bowl in Orlando. Khaseem Greene scored the opening touchdown on a fumble recovery in the end zone and Nick Borgese kicked a field goal to make it 10-0 at halftime. However, the Hokies answered to tie the game and send it to overtime, winning on a field goal, 13-10. Defensively, Rutgers totaled three turnovers, four sacks and 10 tackles-for-loss, holding Virginia Tech to just 196 total yards and three rushing yards, both RU bowl records.
• One of the most memorable games in Rutgers history was the 1992 Halloween victory over Virginia Tech in Piscataway. RU fell behind 42-23 in the third quarter before outscoring the Hokies 27-7 from there to complete the comeback. Down 49-44 with 1:32 remaining, Bryan Fortay engineered a 78-yard game-winning drive that included a gain of 46 on a Hail Mary pass to Mario Henry with seven seconds left. Chris Brantley then broke free in the back right corner of the end zone to secure the go-ahead score with zeros on the clock. It was the fourth receiving touchdown of the game for Brantley, a program record. Malik Jackson contributed three interceptions on defense, tying the school record. The shootout featured a combined 1,164 yards of total offense on 167 plays with 54 first downs, 10 interceptions and 14 touchdowns.
• The series started with a home victory for RU in 1920, 19-6. The next meeting in 1953 was also a Rutgers home win, 20-13.
• Longerbeam (Alexandria) is the only current RU player from Virginia.
• Rutgers has had five games with a player rushing for at least 100 yards versus Virginia Tech, two times throwing for at least 300 yards and five times having a player notch 100 or more receiving yards.
• Rutgers is 4-1 against the ACC since 2021, including road wins at Syracuse and Boston College.
• Rutgers game highs versus Virginia Tech:
Rushing Yards: Terrell Willis, 155 (1993)
Passing Yards: Ray Lucas, 374 (1994)
Receiving Yards: Reggie Funderburk, 172 (1994)
 

UP NEXT

Big Ten play starts with the Blackout set for the Friday, Sept. 27 matchup at SHI Stadium against Washington. The game is presented by Horizon. Fans are encouraged to wear black and arrive early to see the pregame light and fireworks show. The team will wear its black uniforms and helmets. Game time is set for 8 p.m. on FOX.

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