Rutgers’ Kyle Monangai Earns Big Ten Weekly Honor After Career Day Against Virginia Tech

Rutgers running back Kyle Monangai has been named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week after a spectacular display of power running in Rutgers decisive 35-16 victory over Virginia Tech on Saturday.

Monangai ran for 143 yards and three touchdowns in the victory, making him an easy choice to be named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week.  He becomes only the second Rutgers player to receive the Big Ten weekly honor for an offensive player, joining Gary Nova.

Before anyone could settle into a seat, Monangai was to the races with a 19-yard touchdown scamper to put RU up 7-0.

However it was Monangai's career best, 55-yard run that capped off the day for Rutgers. RU led by the slimmest of margins, 21-16, before Monangai bounced off tackle and dashed passed the entire Virginia Tech defense to pay-dirt.

Late in the contest, Monangai added a modest 12-yard touchdown run to put the game well out of reach at 35-16.

Monangai leads the Big Ten with 357 total rushing yards and 126.7 all-purpose yards per game heading into week four. He is sixth nationally in said categories. 

His five touchdowns are second most in the conference. He is the first Rutgers player with consecutive 100-yard rushing games since 2016 (Robert Martin) with the career-best 165 previously against Temple. 

The Roseland, New Jersey native's 357 rushing yards are the most for a Scarlet Knight through game three since Paul James ran for 493 in 2013 according to Rutgers Athletics. 

The Scarlett Knights hit the road for the first time this season when they visit the Big House in Ann Arbor, Michigan to face Jim Harbaugh's Michigan Wolverines. The game will mark Harbaugh's return to the sideline after serving a four three game suspension for recruiting violations.