Eric Boggs 
Rutgers Beats Howard
Rutgers Football kicked off the season with a commanding 44-7 victory over Howard on Thursday night, showcasing a strong all-around performance. The Scarlet Knights were led by running back Kyle Monangai, who had a near career-best day, and a defense that set the tone early with a pick-six.
Dominant Defense Sets the Tone
Rutgers’ defense wasted no time making an impact. On Howard’s first drive, cornerback Eric Rogers intercepted a pass from Bison quarterback Ja’Shawn Scroggins and returned it 52 yards for a touchdown, giving the Scarlet Knights an early lead. This play was crucial, as it provided momentum and settled any early nerves. Without it, Rutgers fans might have been more anxious at halftime with the team only leading 17-7.
Despite missing key starters Wesley Bailey, Flip Dixon, Tyreem Powell, and Mohamed Toure, the defense performed admirably. True freshman Kaj Sanders, making his collegiate debut, impressed in pass coverage, while linebacker Dariel Djabome stepped up in place of the injured starters, leading the team with 14 tackles. The defense limited Howard to just 261 total yards and only one score, showing depth and resilience.
Monangai’s Big Day and Ground Game Domination
On the offensive side, Kyle Monangai stole the show. The junior running back, who had a breakout season last year, tied his career high with 165 rushing yards on 19 carries, including 124 yards in the first half alone. Monangai consistently broke through tackles and set up key scoring opportunities, including a seven-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter to extend Rutgers’ lead to 24-7.
After Monangai’s third-quarter touchdown, Samuel Brown V took over in the backfield, continuing the ground attack with 68 yards on 14 carries. True freshman Antwan Raymond also made his debut, contributing 49 yards and a touchdown on six carries as the clock wound down. Overall, Rutgers racked up 329 rushing yards and 476 total yards on offense, demonstrating a powerful running game that will be key throughout the season.
Kaliakmanis Leads the Offense
Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis, a transfer from Minnesota, made his Rutgers debut with a solid performance. He completed 15 of 24 passes for 147 yards and three touchdowns, showing poise and control in his first game with the Scarlet Knights. Kaliakmanis spread the ball around effectively, connecting with Dymere Miller for a two-yard touchdown in the second quarter, finding Sam Brown for a 34-yard score late in the third, and hitting tight end Kenny Fletcher for a three-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Although the offense started slowly, it found its rhythm as the game progressed. Kaliakmanis also contributed on the ground, rushing for 43 yards on six carries, adding another dimension to the Rutgers attack.
Looking Ahead
While Rutgers’ season opener against Howard had some early hiccups, the Scarlet Knights ultimately dominated on both sides of the ball, providing a promising start to the season. Head coach Greg Schiano and his staff will now turn their attention to their next opponent, Akron, with hopes of building on this strong performance. The game is set for next Saturday afternoon, with kickoff at Noon ET on the Big Ten Network.
The question for Rutgers moving forward will be whether they can maintain this level of play against tougher opponents. For now, the Scarlet Knights can take pride in a convincing opening win.
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