Greg Schiano: “Time to Go” As Rutgers Preps for Minnesota
Rutgers Head Coach Greg Schiano is ready to turn the page to the final stretch of the 2024 season for his Scarlet Knights as they prepare to host Minnesota on Saturday afternoon.
“We get ready for one of the hottest teams in America,” Schiano said. “It’s a great challenge, and I am excited about the opportunity. We had our break to heal up, now it’s time to go.”
Minnesota has been red hot lately, winners of four straight to improve to 6-3 on the season, including victories against No. 11 USC and No. 24 Illinois.
“They have done a great job of taking care of the football and taking the football away. They are plus nine in turnover margin during this four-game winning streak,” Schiano highlighted.
When Rutgers takes the field against the Golden Gophers they will looking a program with a lot of Rutgers connections.
Minnesota Head coach P.J. Fleck was a Rutgers wide receiver coach back in 2010 and 2011 under Schiano, before joining the Rutgers head man in the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2012.
Minnesota’s defensive coordinator, Corey Hetherman was Rutgers’ linebackers coach the past two seasons, overseeing a group that was one of the best in the nation as Mohamed Toure and Deion Jennings became Honorable mention All Big Ten Linebackers.
The familiarity between the two squads doesn’t stop there. Rutgers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis was Minnesota’s starter QB last season before transferring last spring. Kaliakmanis has done a solid job this season leading the Scarlet Knights. In fact, his numbers have seen a steady improvement the past two games — even though they were loses — to UCLA and USC. He had threw for a career best 313 yards at USC two weeks ago.
Kyle Monangai:
Regarding the head of Rutgers star running back, Schiano declined to answer saying that an update on Kyle Monangai will be provided on the injury report later in the week. Monangai took a blow to the head two weeks ago at USC, and didn’t return.
The Roseland, New Jersey native is 11th in the nation in rushing yards with 931, and is averaging 6.7 yards per carry. Should Rutgers snap it’s four game skid on Saturday, a healthy Monangai will need to be a key part of it.
Military Appreciation Day
Rutgers will recognize Military Appreciation Day on Saturday morning with a flyover and various military vehicles around the boardwalk outside SHI Stadium.
