Rutgers Dashes Through the Snow to Victory over Michigan State
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights dashed through the snows of East Lansing to a dominant 41-14 victory over Michigan State to cap off a roller coaster regular season with a 7-5 record, the most wins the program has enjoyed in a single season since 2014.
Rutgers gashed the Spartans for 229 yards on the ground, with senior tailback Kyle Monangai leading the way with 129-yards and a touchdown. The effort moved Monangai past Terrell Willis for the second most rushing yards in program history with 3,221.
Meanwhile Antwan Raymond added to the festivities with 73 yards rushing and two scores as Rutgers pounded Michigan State for the second consecutive season.
Monangai’s lone score came with 9:45 to go in the first quarter to tie the game at seven. Raymond’s first score came early in the second quarter, a 13-yard scamper, to cap off a 94-yard drive, as the Scarlet Knights took a commanding 17-7 lead.
“This is the most mentally tough group of players and coaches I’ve had the opportunity to work with. I have done this for 37 years I’ve never seen a team decimated with injuries like our football team,” Head Coach Greg Schiano said. “Guys refused to let that be anything but motivation to keep them going. Every day they came out to practice to keep going.
“That to me is what is the chop. I mention it sometimes when we are struggling. That’s what Chop is, to keep doing it when your feelings tell you differently. I am so proud of our guys,” Schiano continued.
“It’s ironic, but if you think back to 2020 during COVID, in late October this is where our first game was as a team. I was a new head coach here, and those seniors were freshman, and for us to come out here and end it that way. I am just so happy for these kids and coaches. They never waivered, they just chopped.”
After falling behind early, Rutgers totally dominated the Spartans. Rutgers rolled up 365 yards of total offense, and converted 24 first downs, while the Scarlet Knights defense smothered Michigan State. The Spartans managed only 253 yards of offense and 13 first downs. Rutgers D amassed a pair of sacks and four tackles for loss when it was all said and done.
Dariel Dajbome led the way with seven tackles, a sack and 1.5 tackles for a loss for Rutgers.
On the flip side, Rutgers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis did just enough on a cold snowny night. With Monangai and Raymond blasting through the Michigan State front seven, the Rutgers quarterback could relax a bit, tossing for 157 yards and a touchdown. His nine-yard score to Ian Strong helped Rutgers build a 31-7 right out of the gate in the third quarter.
Of the 10 possessions Rutgers had on Saturday, all but three drives lasted over two-and-a half minutes, with RU’s longest drive coming in the third quarter that at up over seven minutes and resulted in a Jai Patel field goal.
NOTES:
Rutgers won its fourth Big Ten conference game of the year, the most in a single season for RU since joining the league.
Rutgers scored at least 30 points for the third consecutive time in a Big Ten game for the first time since joining the league.
Rutgers improved to 17-2 when not committing a turnover since 2020.
Rutgers secured a winning season in back-to-back years for the first time since 2011 and 2012.
Rutgers will wait til December 8 to find out which Bowl game they will play in in December.
