Kyle Monangai Record Day Powers Rutgers to Route of Akron
Kyle Monangai had a day for the record books. The senior running back gashed the Akron Zips for 208 yards, the ninth best day by a tailback in Rutgers history, as Rutgers rolled to a 49-17 victory and a 2-0 start; marking the fourth straight season Rutgers has opened the year 2-0.
After a slow start to the proceedings for both squads that saw Akron miss a field goal midway through the first quarter, Kyle Monangai really got a head of steam going for Rutgers when he found an open hole through Akron’s defense and zipped past a bunch of Zips for a 46-yard gain to the Akron three-yard line.
On the next play, with 24 seconds to go in the opening quarter, Monangai plowed into the end zone, churning his legs and even leveraging his back to get in for the game’s first score. At that point the Rutgers back had over 80-yards rushing. His day was only getting started.
With 5:03 to play before halftime, and with Rutgers clinging to a 7-3 lead, Monangai was the master once again. He stutter stepped to his left, found a space, and power-ran down the left side for a 62-yard gain to the Akron six-yard line.
That set up Athan Kaliakmanis’ six-yard touchdown pass to K.J. Duff with 1:54 to go before the break on a ball that bounced in and out of the hands of an Akron defending, before landing in Duff’s clutches to make it 14-3 Scarlet Knights.
Fast forward to the third quarter, and with Akron having just scored a touchdown to close the gap to 11-points, Rutgers pounded the rock with a combination of Monangai and freshman Antwan Raymond to put doubt in the minds of the Zips.
Kyle Monangai, himself, carried the ball nine times on the drive for a total of 42 yards as Akron defenders couldn’t slow down Rutgers’ powerful running attack. Monangai finished his afternoon for all intents and purposes when plowed in from two yards out with 4:56 to play in the third quarter to make it 28-10 Rutgers.
The 208 yards was a career best for Monangai, whose previous best came just a week ago against Howard when he ran for 165 yards. There is already talk that Monangai could be a Heisman candidate.
Moreover, Monangai’s huge day really relaxed Kaliakmanis, who settled in for a fine afternoon, completing 14 passes on 23 attempts for 230 yards and three scores. His 58-yard bomb to Chris Long was a huge highlight of the afternoon.
At 2-0 Rutgers will enjoy a very early season bye week in Week 3 before returning to action in two weeks with a road contest in Blacksburg, Virginia against their former Big East rivals, the Virginia Tech Hokies.
