Rutgers Bowl Eligible After Huge Win Over Maryland
RUTGERS TOPS MARYLAND 31-17; WILL BOWL FOR SECOND STRAIGHT YEAR
It’s time to celebrate Rutgers Nation! Your Scarlet Knights are bowl eligible once for the second consecutive season, following a thrilling second half in College Park, as Rutgers topped Maryland 31-17 on Saturday night.
Running back Kyle Monangai made his triumphant return to the lineup rushing for 97 yards and two scores as he became the first Rutgers tailback since Ray Rice to rush for 1,000-plus yards in back-to-back seasons.
Rice, who ran for 4,926 yards over three seasons at Rutgers from 2005-2007, was in attendance. He was seen on the Rutgers sideline wearing a New York Yankees cap and Yankees bubble jacket.
Perhaps Rice’s presence played a roll, because the good-feeling is back at Rutgers. In a season that appeared to be on thin ice a few weeks ago when the Scarlet Knights were in the midst of a four-game skid, Rutgers has now won two in a row in the Big Ten, including slaying a Maryland team that had won five of the last six meetings between these two programs.
“I am really prod of our team, our staff, our players, everyone involved in the program. It’s a big win on the road in the Big Ten. I am excited for our guys,” Head Coach Greg Schiano said afterwards.
Quarterback Athan Kaliakamanis was tremendous once again under center for the Scarlet Knights. He completed 20 passes for 238 yards and two scores. Meanwhile the dynamic receiving duo of Dymere Miller and Ian Strong continue to turn heads. Miller hauled in eight passes for 107 yards and a score. Strong – a former safety – had a career best seven receptions for 86 yards and a touchdown.
“They are an unselfish group, they play for each other. To see the guys who have experience step up and help the guys that don’t is really cool to see as a coach,” Schiano added.
HOW IT HAPPENED!
There was a different aura in this Rutgers-Maryland match-up right from the start. With Rutgers trailing 3-0, the Scarlet Knights grinded out a 17-play, 75-yard drive over eight minutes to take the lead when Kaliakmanis hit Strong for a 12-yard score to put Rutgers in front.
After Maryland regained the lead 10-7, it didn’t slow down the Scarlet Knights. On first down Kalikmanis hit Miller for a 21-yard gain, which turned into a 36-yard advancement thanks to a 15-yard horse collar penalty on Maryland.
Three plays later, Kaliakmanis hit Miller again from 14-yards out on a critical third down to spot the ball at the Terrapins’ 16 yard line. A few plays later, Monagai found pay-dirt on a two-yard plunge to give Rutgers a 14-10 lead at the break.
The Rutgers onslaught continued into the second half. With Maryland up 17-14, Rutgers wasted no time in answering. Kaliakmanis engineered an 11-play, 75-yard drive that ended in a six-yard score from Monagai to give Rutgers a 21-17 lead.
They would never look back.
Kaliakmanis’ 32-yard touchdown pass to Dymere Miller put the game totally out of reach in the early stages of the fourth quarter.
Rutgers will host No. 24 ranked Illinois on Saturday at SHI Stadium. If Rutgers wins, they can snap a 12-year skid against ranked teams. Should be fun.
