RUTGERS (2-0) vs. NORFOLK STATE (1-1)
September 13, 2025 • 3:30 p.m. ET • Big Ten Network
SHI Stadium • Piscataway, N.J.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers football continues its homestand with a Saturday matchup against Norfolk State at SHI Stadium, presented by PNC Bank. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. The Scarlet Knights seek to start 3-0 for the fifth straight season, which would be a program first.

It is Band Day, as local bands will join the Marching Scarlet Knights for an on-field performance. All bands will march in the pregame parade, perform at the pep rally, play in the student section during the game and take part in the halftime show.

Fans will see an improved entry process at SHI Stadium. Through the feedback received from postgame surveys completed by season ticket holders, fans and guests, the following adjustments will continue to remain in place:

• Fans are permitted to enter ALL gates with an approved bag.
• Fans are permitted to walk through the weapons detection system with an approved bag. A full list of approved bag sizes and dimensions are available here. An exception will be made for medically necessary items after proper inspection.

Fans are advised to arrive early to ensure a smooth entry into the stadium before kickoff. The walk-through weapons detection system, familiar to spectators who have attended other events in the region, does not require individuals to empty their pockets to enter. Those attending the event are asked to follow the instructions of public safety personnel.

The Rutgers Boardwalk, presented by Visit New Jersey, returns for year four to highlight the pregame festivities around SHI Stadium. The fun on Scarlet Knight Way begins at 11 a.m. and is free for all fans to enjoy. Check out the top food trucks in New Jersey, plus free rides, mini golf, petting zoos, pony rides, prizes and live entertainment. Week three is "Once Upon a Boardwalk" as princes, princesses and magical characters make appearances. Stop by Sir Henry's castle for pictures and craft a crown as part of Sir Henry's Kids Club. Giveaways for the game include "Beat Norfolk State" buttons, posters and shakers. New for 2025, visit the air brush station to purchase a game-specific t-shirt while supplies last.

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 digital 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 digital parking passes that they can manage like their digital tickets. Fans are encouraged to download digital 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, and now the ticket office and parking lots. Only credit or debits cards will be accepted. A cash-to-card kiosk (no fees) is available at section 113 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. Food trucks on The Rutgers Boardwalk determine their own payment system and may accept cash.

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.



The game will broadcast on Big Ten Network. Viewers can find the channel through BTN GameFinder and through the New Jersey listing. The FOX Sports app will also stream the game.

TV: Big Ten Network (FOX Sports app)
Play-By-Play: Jason Horowitz
Analyst: Matt Millen
Reporter: Caroline Hendershot

Radio: RWJBarnabas Health Rutgers Sports Network
WFAN 660-AM/101.9-FM, FOX Sports New Jersey 93.5-FM/1450-AM, SiriusXM 85, 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 & Reggie Sutton

Student Radio: WRSU 88.7-FM
Sean Newcomb & Nick Hart
 

SCOUTING RUTGERS

• Rutgers has scored at least 30 points in six consecutive games dating back to last season, last achieved in the final three games of 2006 and first three of 2007. The Scarlet Knights have never previously had seven games in a row scoring 30 or more points.
• Rutgers is 14-0 in non-conference regular season games since head coach Greg Schiano returned. The Scarlet Knights are 55-21 overall in non-conference games under Schiano.
• Rutgers opens a season with four consecutive home games for the first time since starting with five in a row at home in 2007.
• Since 2020, RU is 19-2 when not committing a turnover in a game.
• Rutgers, "The Birthplace of College Football," has played 1,424 games in program history on record dating back to 1869, the most in the sport.
 

LAST TIME OUT

• Rutgers scored on seven of its nine drives and possessed the ball for 39:06 on the way to beating Miami (Ohio), 45-17, in the first meeting between the programs. The start of the game was delayed 55 minutes due to severe weather in the area.
• QB Athan Kaliakmanis went 26-for-36 passing for 259 yards and a career-high four touchdown passes. He threw scoring passes to WR Ian Strong twice, WR KJ Duff and WR DT Sheffield, as Strong set career highs with nine receptions for 116 yards. RB Antwan Raymond posted two rushing touchdowns in a performance that saw the offense total 421 yards, go 7-for-10 on third down and pick up 31 first downs, its most against an FBS opponent since also reaching that mark in 2015 versus Kansas.
• DB Bo Mascoe picked off a pass for the defense and returned it 68 yards to set up a touchdown, the seventh-longest interception return in program history. DL Djibril Abdou Rahman and LB Dariel Djabome each recorded sacks.
• PK Jack Scullion did not allow a kickoff return with seven touchbacks and a fair catch, while PK Jai Patel made a 39-yard field goal to extend his school record to 16 consecutive makes dating back to 2024.


 

OFFENSE

•  Kirk Ciarrocca is in his third season back as Rutgers' offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2025. Ciarrocca, who has over 30 years of coaching experience (21 as an offensive coordinator), previously served on head coach Greg Schiano's staff for three seasons, winning two bowl games from 2008-10. He has been selected as a semifinalist for the Broyles Award and coached 28 players who had their name called in the NFL Draft (six in the first round). Ciarrocca has coached the Big Ten's leading rusher two of the past three seasons.
• In 2024, Rutgers averaged 28.9 points per game for the season, the best mark in the Big Ten era and best overall since posting 29.0 in 2008. The Scarlet Knights placed sixth in the Big Ten in scoring offense, the team's best placement since joining the conference.
• QB Athan Kaliakmanis threw a career-high four touchdown passes last week, is tied for first in the Big Ten with six touchdown passes and has thrown a touchdown pass in eight consecutive games dating back to last season, the first Scarlet Knight to achieve the feat since Gary Nova (12 consecutive games) in 2012. He is up to 3,207 passing yards for Rutgers, one of 13 players in program history to reach 3,000 passing yards.
• RB Antwan Raymond has scored in four consecutive games and leads the team with 169 rushing yards, while RB CJ Campbell Jr. has added 116 on the ground.
• WR Ian Strong recorded career highs with nine receptions, 116 receiving yards and two touchdowns in the win over Miami (Ohio). He has three consecutive games with at least 100 yards dating back to last season, joining Kenny Britt (5), Tiquan Underwood (4) and Bill Powell (3) as Scarlet Knights to achieve the feat. WR DT Sheffield and WR KJ Duff also have two receiving touchdowns.
 

DEFENSE

• Robb Smith is in his seventh season at Rutgers in 2025 and serves as co-defensive coordinator and play caller. A native of Leechburg, Pennsylvania, Smith previously worked on the Scarlet Knights' staff in various roles, including as defensive coordinator, from 2009-12 and from 2020-21. He is joined by co-defensive coordinator Zach Sparber, a native of Norwood, New Jersey, who comes from James Madison and has been to five bowl games.
• The season opener six players make their first start on defense for Rutgers.
• LB Moses Walker leads the team with 14 tackles with two for loss through two weeks.
• LB Dariel Djabome, a Third Team All-Big Ten performer in 2024, is coming off a 105-tackle season, second among returning Big Ten players. He joined DL Djibril Abdou Rahman with a sack last week.
• DB Bo Mascoe brought in his second career interception versus Miami (Ohio).
 

SPECIAL TEAMS

• Rutgers has blocked 74 kicks (44 punts, 17 field goals, 13 extra points) under head coach Greg Schiano. That includes 15 games with multiple blocks, 16 touchdowns off blocks and two resulting in safeties. DB Kaj Sanders' blocked punt against Ohio was the 11th for the Scarlet Knights since 2022, the most in the nation.
• PK Jai Patel has connected on 33-of-40 career field goals with a long of 51 yards and has hit 16 consecutive attempts, a school record. He has nine career games with multiple makes, three with at least three makes and a career high of four makes.
• P Jakob Anderson forced 29 fair catches with 15 punts overall downed inside the 20 on 50 attempts in his debut season in 2024. The Aussie pinned both of his attempts inside the 20 so far in 2025.
• PK Jack Scullion allowed no returns with seven touchbacks and a fair catch in eight kickoffs versus Miami (Ohio).


 

VERSUS NORFOLK STATE

• Rutgers and Norfolk State will meet for the fifth time in the series. Each matchup has taken place in New Jersey. The Scarlet Knights pitched shutouts in each of the first three games in holding a 4-0 record versus the Spartans.
• Most recently, Rutgers opened its 2015 season with a 63-13 win over the Spartans. The Scarlet Knights totaled 543 yards of offense and held the Spartans to minus three rushing yards. WR Leonte Carroo brought in three receiving touchdowns, while WR Janarion Grant returned a kickoff for a score.
• Rutgers won 59-0 in 2007, 31-0 in 2010 and 38-0 in 2013.
• Rutgers is 15-0 all-time against teams from the MEAC, including a 44-7 win over Howard to open the 2024 season.
• Rutgers game highs versus Norfolk State:
Rushing Yards: Paul James, 119 (2013)
Passing Yards: Mike Teel, 269 (2007)
Receiving Yards: Tiquan Underwood, 148 (2007)
 

UP NEXT

• Rutgers opens Big Ten play versus Iowa Friday, Sept. 19 at SHI Stadium. "The Blackout is Back" as fans are encouraged to wear black and be in their seats by 7:30 p.m. to see the pregame light and fireworks spectacular. The team will bring out its black uniforms and helmets. The game, presented by Horizon, is set to kick off at 8 p.m. and will be televised nationally on FOX.

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.