Written by: Bobby Santoro
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights will host the Akron Zips this weekend after their week one victory over Howard. Before the game, Eric LeGrand will be hosting the 14th annual A Walk to Believe 5K event, so be sure to get there early to participate!
Game Info
Date: Saturday, September 7th
Start Time: Noon EST
Location: Piscataway, New Jersey
Stadium: SHI Stadium
TV Info: BTN (Jason Horowitz and Adam Breneman on the call)
Rutgers Uniform Info: Scarlet tops / White Pants
Week 1 Recap
The Scarlet Knights entered the second half with a 17-7 lead against the Bison thanks to a pick-six from Eric Rodgers and Athan Kaliakmanis and Dymere Miller hooking up for a two-yard score. Coach Schiano wanted more out of his team entering the third quarter, and they certainly delivered.
Rutgers went on to score four times in the second half to top Howard 44-7 behind big days from Kyle Monangai (165 rushing yards and one touchdown) and Athan Kaliakmanis (15-24, 147 yards and three touchdowns).
Rutgers Storylines
The matchup will mark just the second time the two schools have faced one another. The last time we saw Akron and Rutgers on the same field was October 27th, 1990, when Rutgers defeated the Zips 20-17 in Piscataway.
The Scarlet Knights head into Saturday’s game looking to start their season at 2-0 for the fourth straight year. Since Schiano’s return, Rutgers has consistently gotten off to a fast start. Since 2021, Schiano’s teams have been 10-3 in games played in September, and this year, if they can have a great September, they will be one of the better teams in the Big Ten.
Athan Kaliakmanis had a solid debut last week and should put up big numbers against an Akron defense that gave up 52 points a week ago to Ohio State, including three scores through the air. Kyle Monangai should be a factor again, coming off his 165 rushing yards a week ago, as the team gears up to for their big road matchup against Virginia Tech in two weeks.
Akron Scouting Report
The Zips had trouble moving the ball last week despite a solid drive early in the first quarter that ended with Garrison Smith burying a 48-yard field goal to give them their only lead of the game. Zips head coach John Moorhead took over three seasons ago, but his Akron career has not started well. The Zips are a combined 4-21 over that span, including last week’s loss to Ohio State.
Juniors Tahj Bullock and Ben Finley saw time at quarterback last week but Bullock is the starter and is a threat to tuck it and run. Bullock led the Zips in rushing yards a week ago with 42 and was the only player to rush for more than ten yards, with the team averaging just 1.3 yards per carry.
Akron’s defense should not be a problem for the Scarlet Knights after the Zips allowed 404 yards of total offense last week and have a tall task again tomorrow.
Final Thoughts
This should be another easy win for Rutgers and a chance for key players to get more reps in before the season ramps up in two weeks. Look for Kaliakmanis to air it out a little more this week and try to get the passing game going early. Monangai should have no issues racking yards and finding paydirt against the Zips, and this could be another case of the backups playing in the 4th quarter.
