Rutgers Drops Third in a Row in Loss to UCLA

PISCATAWAY, NJ: Rutgers Head Coach Greg Schiano let it be known that the Rutgers football program is heading in the right direction despite Saturday's 35-32 loss to a UCLA football team that came into the game at 1-5. Rutgers has now lost three straight after starting off the 2024 season at 4-0.

"We will get there," a visibly frustrated Schiano said following the game. "This program will get there. I know that there's going to be certain people that want to cast their ballot and say, oh, we've got big problems. You call your shot. Just remember, we will get there, I promise you."

While the final score was close, it was not indicative of what had transpired as the UCLA Bruins did just about anything they wanted to offensively against Rutgers' defense. UCLA quarterback Ethan Garbers completed 32-of-38 passes, a new personal best for completions, while throwing for 383 yards and four scores.

The senior from Newport Beach, California also ran for 65 yards, including a 49-yards touchdown on a broken play in the second quarter.

Garber's 49-yard scamper gave UCLA a 14-7 lead with 2:42 remaining before the half.

After Rutgers got down the field quickly before settling for a Jai Patel field goal to cut the deficit to 14-10, Garbers guided UCLA on a seven-play, 75 yard drive in under :50 seconds, as the senior found T.J. Harden in the end zone to make it 21-10 at the break.

"223 yards after the catch. That's the stat that just smacks me in the face," Schiano continued. "We didn't tackle well. Now, why is that? ... We didn't forget how. We didn't forget how to coach it. We didn't forget how to do it."

Rutgers did get back into the game quickly in the third quarter. Kyle Monangai gashed the Bruins on a 30-yard sprint that set up the first of his three touchdowns on the afternoon to cut the deficit to 21-16. Rutgers opted to go for two points, but couldn't convert.

After UCLA was turned around on a three-and-out, Rutgers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis guided RU on a snappy 41-yard drive that ate up nearly five minutes. Kaliakmanis' crucial completion on fourth down and nine to Chris Long was the biggest play of the drive.

Unfortunately Rutgers had to settle for three points to trim the deficit to 21-19.

On the ensuing drive, UCLA delivered what felt like one of several potential knock out punches in the second half. Garbers hit Keegan Jones in the flat, and the tailback did the rest, breaking out of a tackle, before racing down the sideline for a 67-yard touchdown to make it 28-19.

Still Rutgers had chances. A 59-yard bomb by Kaliakmanis to KJ Duff set up Monangai's second touchdown to cut the deficit to 10-points at 35-25. However, once again Rutgers failed to convert a two point conversion.

Finally, Kaliakmanis was picked by UCLA corner Bryan Addison with 5:31 to play, ending a critical drive.

"I will not come up here and feel like the sky is falling. There were a lot of good things out there. We didn't play well enough to win," a determined Schiano said.

Rutgers finally got into the end zone one more time with 1:23 to go on an a Monangai 1-yard plung, a drive that was the result of a ULCA fumble.

"[Y]ou score 32 points in a Big Ten football game, that should be good enough. It wasn't today but it should be, especially the way our program is built. We didn't get it done defensively, and we've got to look at it and figure it out."

Rutgers will have five days to "figure" it out. The Scarlet Knights play at USC on Friday.

MORE RUTGERS

Rutgers took on the Washington Huskies, in a Friday night lights game on September 27th. The game was a blackout event for the University of Rutgers, and FOX Sports New Jersey showed up to show their support in the Big Ten showdown. Here are some pictures to recap before Rutgers great win.

Rutgers player exiting the bus getting ready for the game

Rutgers cheerleaders hyping up the fans for the game against Washington

Rutgers cheer expressing their school spirit ahead of the game vs Washington

Fox Sports NJ broadcasting live from Rutgers

Fox Sports NJ broadcasting live from Rutgers

Washington fans try their luck on the other coast with a spin on the FOX prize Wheel

Rutgers fans attempt to win a prize on the FOX prize wheel

Constant wins a prize from the FOX prize wheel

A Fox contestant asks about prizes on the FOX prize table

FOX Sports NJ setup at the Rutgers game to show support for the Knights

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