In a thrilling match at the Rate Bowl held at Chase Field, Rutgers football faced a heartbreaking 44-41 defeat to Kansas State, bringing their season to an end with a record of 7-6.
Rutgers initially dominated the game, securing a 17-point lead early in the third quarter. However, as the game progressed, the Scarlet Knights’ offense faltered, posting only 82 yards in the second half compared to 319 yards in the first half. This change in momentum was pivotal, as Kansas State’s Dylan Edwards executed a crucial 36-yard touchdown run with just over four minutes remaining in the game, reversing Rutgers’ earlier advantage.
Despite Rutgers’ impressive start, including a vibrant 67-yard punt return from Christian Dremel leading to a touchdown run from Antwan Raymond, the team couldn’t maintain their momentum. Coach Greg Schiano acknowledged the team’s effort, noting it was a hard-fought game against a talented opponent.
Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis had a challenging outing, completing 14 of 32 passes for 237 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. The interception, which happened at a critical moment, allowed Kansas State to tighten the score, sparking their comeback. Kaliakmanis took responsibility for the mistake and expressed a commitment to learn from it moving forward.
The Scarlet Knights’ defense struggled throughout, especially after the departure of coordinator Joe Harasymiak, who left to take the head coaching position at UMass. Kansas State capitalized on this vulnerability, amassing a staggering 544 total yards on offense, with 349 rushing yards, primarily due to Edwards’ standout performance.
On a positive note, Rutgers’ young running backs excelled in the absence of Kyle Monangai, who opted out of the game to avoid injury risk before the NFL Draft. Antwan Raymond and Ja’shon Benjamin stepped up significantly, with Raymond rushing for 113 yards and scoring three touchdowns. Their performance bodes well for the team’s future, providing a silver lining to an otherwise challenging season.
It was commendable that most of Rutgers’ senior players chose to participate despite the current trend of bowl-game opt-outs in college football. This demonstrates their commitment to the team and could have lasting impacts on their pre-draft opportunities.
As Rutgers reflects on this season, there are lessons learned and promising young talent to build upon. With the stepping up of players like Raymond and Benjamin, and a strong showing from the seniors, the Scarlet Knights have reasons to be hopeful for the future as they prepare for upcoming challenges.