Tag: Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai (5) runs with the ball against the Miami Hurricanes during the fourth quarter at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-Imagn Images

Rutgers puts running game up against Virginia Tech

Posted on | by Field Level Media

There is not much mystery about Virginia Tech’s mission when it plays host to Rutgers on Saturday in Blacksburg, Va.

The Hokies (2-1) will be focused on stopping Kyle Monangai of the Scarlet Knights (2-0), who ranks No. 2 in FBS rushing this season while averaging 186.5 yards per game.

Virginia Tech knows Monangai all too well. In a matchup last season at Rutgers, he dashed for 143 yards and three touchdowns as the Scarlet Knights ended a 12-game losing streak against their former Big East Conference rival with a 35-16 victory.

“He’s a physical runner,” Virginia Tech coach Brent Pry said. “He does a great job keeping his feet and legs going. I think that first would-be tackler feels it.”

Facing an outside Heisman Trophy candidate in Monangai is a frightening prospect for a Virginia Tech defense that surrendered 243 yards on the ground in a 37-17 win Saturday night at winless Old Dominion.

“We’ve gotta beat them off the ball. We gotta play lower,” Pry said. “We gotta get on their side more often.”

Rutgers also has the advantage of coming off a bye week, following a 49-17 win over Akron on Sept. 7 when Monangai rushed for three touchdowns and a career-high 208 yards.

The Scarlet Knights aren’t a one-trick pony. Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis added 230 yards through the air and three touchdown passes against Akron.

The transfer, who started 17 games for the previous two years at Minnesota, beat out Rutgers’ two-year starter Gavin Wimsatt in the spring. Wimsatt is now at Kentucky. Kaliakmanis has upgraded a passing attack that completed a Big Ten-low 48.3 percent of its attempts last year.

Virginia Tech counters with dual-threat quarterback Kyron Drones, who passed for 176 yards and ran for 117 yards in the win over Old Dominion.

When the Scarlet Knights and Hokies met last year, Virginia Tech’s quarterback situation was in flux.

“He’s really big, athletic, strong arm,” Rutgers coach Greg Schiano said of Drones. “… their ascension as a program and as a team coincided with his development.”

The Hokies also received 115 yards rushing and two fourth-quarter touchdowns from Bhayshul Tuten at Old Dominion. Jaylin Lane contributed seven receptions for 106 yards and a touchdown.

“Wherever you look in the skill game, they are loaded,” Schiano said. “They probably have eight to 10 draft picks and another five to seven free agents. So they have a lot of NFL players on this team.”

– Field Level Media

Sep 23, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Jalen Rivers (64) sets up to block in the second half against the Temple Owls at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Andy Lewis-USA TODAY Sports

Pinstripe Bowl: Miami looking to end bowl-win drought at Rutgers’ expense

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For Miami offensive lineman Jalen Rivers, a win in Thursday’s Pinstripe Bowl against Rutgers at Yankee Stadium in New York would be important.

“We haven’t won a bowl game in a minute,” he said. “I don’t know when that was, but it’s been a minute. It’s important to just change that trajectory of us not winning bowl games. This will be an important step in the right direction, and it’s a step in the right direction heading into next year as well.

“So we can showcase what we have and what we put on film right now so we can have a better opportunity, a better confidence going into next year.”

The Hurricanes’ last bowl victory was Dec. 28, 2016, against West Virginia in the Russell Athletic Bowl in Orlando, Fla.

This season’s squad got off to a great start by winning all four of its nonconference games and earning a spot in the AP poll, but it stumbled early and often in Atlantic Coast Conference action. The lowlight was an October loss to Georgia Tech where Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal’s strategic play-calling error gave the Yellow Jackets the ball back and a last chance to win. Georgia Tech completed the game-winning touchdown pass in the final seconds.

Miami (7-5) wasn’t far from 10 wins in the regular season. It lost three conference games by a single score, including a 27-20 decision on Nov. 11 at unbeaten Florida State. But the Hurricanes’ underwhelming 3-4 conference record means all the headlines in South Florida are about Miami’s top-rated recruiting class in the ACC.

However, Cristobal said the opportunity to play in New York and at a historic venue should provide the necessary motivation for a good performance.

“For our players, it’s such a different and new experience,” he said. “They obviously know the legendary status of where we’ll be playing at and the caliber of the great opponent we have in Rutgers. … For them, a great experience, another opportunity to play game number 13.”

That opportunity won’t be shared by quarterback Tyler Van Dyke, who hit the transfer portal for Wisconsin after throwing for 2,703 yards, 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions this year.

Rutgers coach Greg Schiano is excited about the idea of playing in New York as well.

“There’s no place like New York around the Christmas holiday,” Schiano said. “Then throw in the great part of playing in such a great bowl game. It doesn’t get a lot better than that.”

Much like the Hurricanes, the Scarlet Knights (6-6) have a chance to end an up-and-down season on a high note. They opened up 6-2 but then crumbled in November, losing four straight Big Ten games by an average of 20 points.

But Rutgers is still playing just its second bowl game in nine years, and Schiano doesn’t plan on changing his approach now or any time soon. His Scarlet Knights teams are known for being physical, a mentality that starts with intense practices.

“I don’t want guys that think they are coming to one thing and all of a sudden they show up and it’s something totally different,” Schiano said. “We are transparent with it.”

Miami has won all 11 meetings between the teams. They have not met since 2003, when the Hurricanes beat Rutgers 34-10.

–Field Level Media

Nov 18, 2023; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Kaytron Allen (13) carries the ball as Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive back Robert Longerbeam (7) pursues during the first half at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

No. 12 Penn State keeps Rutgers out of end zone in 27-6 win

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Kaytron Allen rushed for two touchdowns and Demeioun Robinson made a big defensive play to lead No. 12 Penn State to a 27-6 victory over Rutgers on Saturday in Big Ten play at University Park, Pa.

Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar left early in the third quarter with an unspecified injury. Beau Pribula replaced him and rushed for 71 yards on eight carries and also scored a touchdown. He completed his lone pass for nine yards.

Alex Felkins kicked two field goals and Kevin Winston had an interception for Penn State (9-2, 6-2 Big Ten), which defeated Rutgers for the 17th consecutive time. The Nittany Lions are 32-2 all-time against the Scarlet Knights.

Jai Patel kicked two field goals for Rutgers (6-5, 3-5), which lost its third straight contest. Gavin Wimsatt completed 10 of 16 passes for 130 yards and one interception.

Penn State dismissed offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich after last weekend’s 24-15 loss to Michigan, but the attack was again sluggish against the Scarlet Knights. The Nittany Lions totaled 322 yards, with 234 coming on the ground.

Allar was injured on a keeper during Penn State’s first series of the third quarter. He didn’t return and finished 6-of-13 passing for 79 yards.

Pribula replaced Allar and later in the drive, he was stopped for no gain on fourth-and-1 from the Rutgers’ 4-yard line.

On Penn State’s next drive, Felkins kicked a 48-yard field goal to make it 13-6 with 5:32 left in the third quarter.

Later in the quarter, Robinson sacked Wimsatt and forced a fumble. Robinson recovered it at the Rutgers’ 42 with 1:18 left in the period.

Five plays later, Allen scored from 3 to give Penn State a 20-6 advantage 46 seconds into the final stanza.

Pribula later fumbled a snap at the Rutgers’ 1-yard line and picked it up and crossed the goal line to make it a 21-point margin with 3:36 remaining in the game.

Penn State led 10-6 at halftime.

After Patel kicked a 35-yard field goal in the first quarter for Rutgers, Allen scored on a 2-yard run with 11:36 left in the first half, and Felkins added a 21-yard field goal nearly three minutes later. Patel hit from 28 yards out as the first half ended.

–Field Level Media

Nov 11, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes linebacker Jay Higgins (34) tackles Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Samuel Brown V (27) during the second quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

No. 22 Iowa leans into defense again, blanks Rutgers

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No. 22 Iowa got the best of a defensive showdown with a 16-point fourth quarter to beat Rutgers 22-0 in Big Ten Conference play on Saturday in Iowa City, Iowa.

Drew Stevens provided all the offense the Hawkeyes (8-2, 5-2 Big Ten) would need with a 32-yard field goal in the second quarter and a 43-yarder in the third, but Iowa wasn’t content with a six-point lead.

Jaziun Patterson effectively sealed the victory with a 4-yard touchdown rush with 13:38 left in the game, and Stevens later capped a 12-play, 44-yard drive with a 24-yard field goal to make it 15-0.

When the Scarlet Knights (6-4, 3-4) tried to ignite a rally, Gavin Wimsatt was intercepted by Quinn Schulte and, three plays later, Deacon Hill threw a 10-yard scoring strike to Kaleb Brown to close the scoring.

Hill completed 20 of 31 passes for 223 yards with the TD and an interception, while Patterson totaled 53 yards on 14 carries. Leshon Williams led the rushing attack with 63 yards on 13 touches.

Addison Ostrenga hauled in eight catches for 47 yards for Iowa, which has won 16 of its last 17 November games.

Wimsatt threw for 93 yards and one interception on 7-for-18 passing as Rutgers ended up being outgained 402-127.

Big Ten leading rusher Kyle Monangai was held to 39 yards on 13 carries before exiting the game in the fourth quarter due to an apparent ankle injury.

Iowa seemed poised to score on the game’s opening drive when it drove down to the Scarlet Knights 30, but Stevens missed a 47-yard field-goal attempt.

After the next five drives ended with punts, Stevens redeemed himself, making good on his 32-yarder with 2:50 left in the first half to open the scoring.

The Hawkeyes’ defense then got Rutgers off the field in just 1:27, and Hill threw for 62 yards to set up Iowa at the Scarlet Knights 12. But Hill was then picked off by Max Melton, preventing the hosts from adding to their 3-0 lead by the break.

Despite a low-scoring first half, the Hawkeyes still managed to rack up 184 yards of total offense, while Rutgers had 107.

–Field Level Media

Oct 14, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Will Pauling (6) is tackled short of a first down by Iowa Hawkeyes linebacker Jay Higgins (34) during the second quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Iowa looks to extend November reign vs. Rutgers

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Iowa knows a thing or two about peaking at the right time.

The Hawkeyes have won 15 of their past 16 games in the month of November and will look to improve on that impressive record Saturday when they face Rutgers in Big Ten Conference action in Iowa City, Iowa.

After falling 12-10 to Minnesota in its final game of October, Iowa (7-2, 4-2) flipped a switch with the arrival of the new month to beat Northwestern 10-7 last Saturday at Chicago’s Wrigley Field.

“If you’re in college football, the month of November really defines you,” Hawkeyes coach Kirk Ferentz said. “You find out what’s what and who’s who, and that’s usually how you get remembered. So somehow, some way, you got to find a way in November.”

Scarlet Knights coach Greg Schiano called Iowa’s track record in November “astounding,” making it that much harder to escape Iowa City with a victory.

“We certainly are going into one of the toughest places to play in America against a team that’s leading the Big Ten West,” Schiano said. “We’ve got a big challenge ahead of us.”

Rutgers (6-3, 3-3) hits the road looking to bounce back from last weekend’s 35-16 loss to Ohio State. The Scarlet Knights outgained the Buckeyes 361-328 but had trouble putting up six points, settling for field goals on three drives in which they worked inside the Ohio State 5-yard line.

It won’t be any easier to find the end zone on Saturday, as the Hawkeyes allow the fourth-fewest points per game (13.7) among FBS teams.

Jay Higgins and Cooper DeJean headline Iowa’s defense, and both are among the best in the nation at their respective positions.

Higgins was named a semifinalist for the Dick Butkus Award, given to the country’s top linebacker. Meanwhile, DeJean is in the running for the Jim Thorpe Award, which is presented to college football’s best defensive back.

Rutgers’ defense has been stout, too, ranking 20th in the nation in scoring defense (17.9 points allowed per game) and 10th in total defense (282.4 yards allowed per game).

The Scarlet Knights are 0-3 all-time vs. the Hawkeyes.

–Field Level Media

Nov 4, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back TreVeyon Henderson (32) is tackled by Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive back Robert Longerbeam (7) during the first half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

No. 1 Ohio State rights ship, zooms past Rutgers

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TreVeyon Henderson racked up 208 yards from scrimmage and helped No. 1 Ohio State defuse an upset bid from host Rutgers, winning 35-16 Saturday in Piscataway, N.J.

Ohio State (9-0, 6-0 Big Ten) trailed 9-7 at halftime but Henderson ran for one touchdown and set up another after a long reception to guide the Buckeyes’ rally. Henderson gained 128 yards rushing and had five catches for 80 yards.

Kyle McCord went 19-of-26 passing for 189 yards and three touchdowns for Ohio State, including two short scoring passes to Marvin Harrison Jr. The Buckeyes improved to 10-0 all-time against Rutgers (6-3, 3-3).

Christian Dremel’s 35-yard catch-and-run for Rutgers to open the fourth quarter led to JaQuae Jackson’s 19-yard touchdown reception with 14:07 left, cutting the deficit to 21-16.

But Henderson weaved through defenders to take a third-down catch 65 yards, setting up Harrison’s 4-yard touchdown catch in the corner for a 28-16 lead with 12:02 to go. Rutgers reached the Ohio State 6-yard line on its next possession but could not convert.

Kyle Monangai rushed 24 times for 159 yards for Rutgers, and Gavin Wimsatt completed 10 of 25 passes for 129 yards, a touchdown and a crushing pick-6.

Rutgers outgained Ohio State 361-328. The Scarlet Knights reached the red zone six times but scored just one touchdown.

The Buckeyes opened the scoring at the 8:35 mark of the first quarter when tight end Gee Scott Jr. pulled in a 14-yard touchdown catch mostly one-handed.

Rutgers’ offense awoke in the second quarter thanks to a fumblerooski-style trick play. On fourth-and-1, Wimsatt handed Monangai the ball between his legs while pretending he dropped the snap. Monangai ripped off a 45-yard gain, setting up Jai Patel’s first field goal, a 22-yarder.

Ohio State was short on a fake punt run from its own 30, and Rutgers took advantage when Patel connected from 21 yards to make it 7-6 with 2:03 left before halftime.

McCord then threw a soft pass and Mohamed Toure leapt up to grab the interception. Again, the Scarlet Knights couldn’t convert inside the 10, but Patel’s 20-yarder with 1 second gave them the halftime lead.

Ohio State stopped Rutgers’ first drive of the second half when a pass was deflected into the hands of Jordan Hancock, who sprinted 93 yards for a touchdown to make it 14-9. Henderson’s 9-yard TD run made it 21-9 late in the third.

Harrison added a 2-yard touchdown catch with 2:07 left in the game.

–Field Level Media

Oct 28, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Kyle McCord (6) hands off to running back TreVeyon Henderson (32) during the second half of the NCAA football game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Ohio State won 24-10.

Newly minted No. 1 Ohio State focuses on Rutgers

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A reporter asked Ohio State coach Ryan Day if he would spend Tuesday night watching the initial College Football Playoff rankings show or trick-or-treating with his family for Halloween.

“I’ll be watching film of practice,” Day deadpanned.

When Day checks his phone, he will find that the Buckeyes (8-0, 5-0 Big Ten) earned the CFP committee’s first No. 1 ranking of the season. It came as a bit of a surprise after Georgia held the top spot in every AP poll to date and Ohio State hadn’t risen past No. 3.

The Buckeyes’ next task is a game against Rutgers on Saturday in Piscataway, N.J.

TreVeyon Henderson racked up 162 rushing yards and a touchdown on 24 carries in Ohio State’s 24-10 win at Wisconsin last week. Day felt the Buckeyes’ offensive line has made good progress with its run blocking.

“We’ll see where that takes us on Saturday against Rutgers, but we want to be playing our best football down the stretch, and that’s a big part of what we’ve been focusing on,” Day said. “This time of year, you want to be enhancing the things you’re doing well and improving the things that you feel like you need to improve on.”

Henderson is back in the fold after missing three games with an injury, but fellow running back Miyan Williams is out for the year following a knee procedure.

Rutgers (6-2, 3-2) is fourth in the Big Ten East behind Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State following a 31-14 win at Indiana two weeks ago. That victory made the Scarlet Knights bowl-eligible, giving them six wins for the first time since 2014.

Greg Schiano’s second stint as Rutgers’ coach is progressing similarly to the first, when he brought a once-moribund program to a string of bowl games beginning in 2005. Schiano said that in both instances, it has taken patience to build up the program.

“We don’t get ready-mades like the team we are playing this week,” Schiano said. “They get some guys that come in that are five-star guys. We don’t get a lot of those, but that’s OK. We know who we are. That’s the key to being us at Rutgers is we develop guys, they believe in what we’re doing, they believe in the development, and we’re getting close to having the pipeline full and that’s where things get fun when that pipeline gets full.”

Schiano rained praise on the Buckeyes, declaring wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. is “arguably one of the best players in the country” and every starter on defense would reach the NFL.

He is also familiar with Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord, who grew up in New Jersey and whose father Derek played quarterback at Rutgers from 1988-92. Schiano overlapped with the elder McCord while working as a graduate assistant in 1989.

“(Kyle McCord) is a fiery leader, and you can see his teammates believe in him,” Schiano said. “He’s a young quarterback who is getting better every week.”

McCord threw for 226 yards and two touchdowns against Wisconsin but tossed two interceptions in the first half.

“That was all positive there that he was able to move on from that, because some guys struggle with that. They can’t quite get over what just happened,” Day said.

McCord was seen limping after the game with ice wrapped around an ankle, but he is expected to play against Rutgers.

For the Scarlet Knights, Kyle Monangai ranks second in the Big Ten with 744 rushing yards. Rutgers has allowed the fewest sacks in the league (seven), allowing junior quarterback Gavin Wimsatt room to grow. He had 143 rushing yards and three touchdowns on the ground against Indiana.

Ohio State leads the all-time series 9-0, scoring 49 points or more in all nine meetings. Rutgers’ defense has not given up more than 24 points in a game this season.

–Field Level Media

Oct 7, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Braelon Allen (0) rushes for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Defense carries Wisconsin past Rutgers 24-13

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Ricardo Hallman scored on a 95-yard interception return and Braelon Allen ran for 101 yards and a touchdown to pace Wisconsin to a 24-13 victory over visiting Rutgers in a Big Ten matchup Saturday.

Hallman’s score put Wisconsin up 17-0 at the half. The Badgers (4-1, 2-0 Big Ten) led 17-6 after three quarters and extended the advantage to 24-6, as they improved to 5-0 vs. Rutgers in the series.

The Badgers capitalized on a short field for a 39-yard scoring drive, going in front 10-0 on Allen’s 18-yard touchdown run with 4:28 left in the first half.

Rutgers (4-2, 1-2), which went three-and-out on four of its first five possessions, answered with a drive deep into Wisconsin territory. Hallman then stepped in front of Gavin Wimsatt’s pass intended for Christian Dremel in the right flat and returned it nearly the length of the field for the 17-0 advantage.

Wimsatt left briefly with an undisclosed injury, while backup Evan Simon came on to finish a 10-play, 57-yard scoring drive late in the third quarter. Simon hit Aaron Young with a 10-yard touchdown toss, but the Scarlet Knights missed the extra point.

Wisconsin responded with a 72-yard drive, capped by Tanner Mordecai’s 3-yard scoring pass to freshman tight end Tucker Ashcraft to make it 24-6 with 10:51 remaining.

Rutgers recovered a fumble at the Badgers’ 21 with 4:42 remaining. Three plays later, Wimsatt hit Ian Strong with an 11-yard touchdown to make it 24-13.

Mordecai completed 17 of 31 passes for 145 yards with one touchdown, while Will Pauling had eight catches for 68 yards.

Rutgers managed just 64 yards on the ground, 43 by Wimsatt.

Wisconsin was playing its first game without running back Chez Mellusi, who sustained a season-ending leg injury two weeks ago at Purdue. Jackson Acker, who had 31 yards on eight carries in the first four games, added 65 yards Saturday on 13 carries.

Wisconsin opened with an 11-play, 54-yard drive culminating in Nathanial Vakos’ 39-yard field goal.

–Field Level Media

Sep 23, 2023; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) runs the ball against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in the first half at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Blake Corum fuels No. 2 Michigan in rout of Rutgers

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Blake Corum rushed for two touchdowns, J.J. McCarthy passed for one and No. 2 Michigan eased to a 31-7 win over visiting Rutgers in both teams’ Big Ten opener Saturday in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Corum carried the ball 21 times for 97 yards. McCarthy, a week after throwing three interceptions, completed 15 of 21 passes for 214 yards without a pick. He added 51 rushing yards.

Cornerback and captain Mike Sainristil returned an interception for a touchdown for Michigan (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten), which welcomed coach Jim Harbaugh back to the sidelines after a school-imposed three-game suspension for NCAA recruiting violations.

Rutgers quarterback Gavin Wimsatt completed 11 of 21 passes for 180 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He added a team-high 28 rushing yards. The Scarlet Knights (3-1, 0-1 Big Ten) were limited to 3-of-10 on third-down conversions and went 0-for-3 on fourth down.

The Wolverines controlled the ball for 36:08 over just seven offensive possessions.

Rutgers struck early and handed Michigan its first deficit of the season. On the third play from scrimmage, Christian Dremel caught a pass on a slant, Michigan missed a tackle and Dremel sprinted away for the 69-yard touchdown just one minute into the game.

Michigan tied it thanks to a seven-play, 94-yard drive. A double-handoff flea flicker set McCarthy up for a 35-yard connection to tight end Colston Loveland, and on the next play Corum scored from 2 yards out with 5:56 left in the first.

Each side missed a field goal before Michigan marched another 79 yards to take the lead. On third down, McCarthy hit Semaj Morgan for an 18-yard touchdown to earn a 14-7 halftime lead.

The Wolverines drove to a field goal on the opening drive of the second half. James Turner’s 46-yarder made it 17-7 with seven minutes left in the third quarter.

The Scarlet Knights had a drive rolling in response, and after gaining three first downs they faced fourth-and-2 at the Michigan 27. Wimsatt attempted a screen pass, but it turned into his first interception of the year. Sainristil jumped in front of it and weaved through several players for a 71-yard pick-6.

Corum scored his second TD of the day from 5 yards out with 12:38 to play, making it 31-7. Rutgers again drove into scoring territory before an incompletion led to another turnover on downs.

–Field Level Media

Oct 27, 2022; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Grant Wells (6) drops back to pass during the first half against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

Va. Tech might be without starting QB at Rutgers

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Virginia Tech could be without its starting quarterback when the Hokies visit Rutgers on Saturday in Piscataway, N.J.

Grant Wells is questionable for the non-conference game after suffering an ankle injury during the Hokies’ 24-17 loss to Purdue last week. He gutted through it until the team’s final possession, when Baylor transfer Kyron Drones took over and led a drive that fizzled at the Purdue 42-yard line.

“I think it was good to get him out there, and it was a big moment, a challenging situation,” Hokies coach Brent Pry said of Drones, who will start this week if Wells can’t go. “I thought he was level-headed, he was steady. There’s some other things that need to happen better around him.”

Through two games for Virginia Tech (1-1), Wells has completed just 53.2 percent of his passes for 494 yards and five touchdowns with two interceptions.

Virginia Tech will be without wide receiver Ali Jennings (ankle), and slot receiver Jaylin Lane (hamstring) also is questionable. Lane leads the team with nine catches for 123 yards and two touchdowns.

The Hokies will face a Big Ten opponent for the second straight week. Rutgers (2-0) has home wins of 24-7 against Northwestern and 36-7 over Temple.

“Know these guys well. They’ve always been stingy on defense, and it’s no different this year,” Pry said of the Scarlet Knights.

Against Temple, Kyle Monangai had a career-high 165 rushing yards and a touchdown on 28 carries. Jai Patel won Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week after making field goals from 51, 43 and 23 yards.

Temple cut its deficit to 13-7 in the first nine seconds of the fourth quarter before Rutgers scored 23 points while forcing the Owls into two interceptions and a three-and-out.

“I do see a group that trusts each other, and that was evident in our last game when things started to get away from us a little bit,” Rutgers coach Greg Schiano said. “As I told you that night, they came together and said, ‘No, we’ve got a job to do, everybody go do your job, and this is going to go where we want it to go, and that’s exactly what happened.’

The Scarlet Knights are aiming to start 3-0 for the third straight season, though in the past two seasons, one of those wins came against an FCS opponent.

–Field Level Media