The Rutgers Scarlet Knights have defeated the Akron Zips, 49-17, behind their star running back Kyle Monangai.
Monangai thrashed the Zips defense much like Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson did a week ago. The running back recorded three touchdowns and improved his season total to four along with 373 yards rushing in two games. The Scarlet Knights staff will now shift their focus and preparations towards the Virginia Tech Hokies in Virginia after this much-needed bye week.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights Record Big 49-17 Home Win Over Akron Zips
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights are off to a 2-0 start to the 2024 football season after defeating the Akron Zips, 49-17. The Scarlet Knights again defended their home turf and really got the ball moving on the ground against the Zips’ defense. Running back Kyle Monangai recorded three touchdowns and led the offense to a solid victory over a beaten-down opponent.
The Zips played the Ohio State Buckeyes before visiting the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and looked like a defeated team. The Zips have been outscored 101-23 to start the 2024 season and still have to play the South Carolina Gamecocks in two weeks. Akron put up a fight towards the end, but allowed the Scarlet Knights offense to run through their defense far too easily.
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights recorded 285 yards rushing and four touchdowns on the ground against the Zips. Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis also had success passing the ball, recording three touchdowns and 230 yards. Kaliakmanis also recorded an interception but looked great throwing the ball against the Zips otherwise.
What Will the Rutgers Football Team Need to do to Defeat the Virginia Tech Hokies?
The key to a potential win over the Virginia Tech Hokies is going to come down to the performance of running back Kyle Monangai. The running back recorded three touchdowns and over 200 rushing yards against the Zips and does not necessarily need that same caliber of performance to win. But, Rutgers is going to lean on Monangai and if he is successful, it should result in a win over the Hokies.
Monangai recorded eight touchdowns and over 1,200 yards rushing for the Scarlet Knights offense last season. The Virginia Tech Hokies visited Piscataway a season ago and the Scarlet Knights won the game, 35-16, over the Hokies. Monangai recorded three touchdowns and 143 yards rushing against the Hokies in the win and was pivotal to their success.
The same success is going to be key against the Hokies who have defended the pass well to start off the season against Vanderbilt. The Hokies allowed just 190 yards through the air but were killed on the ground by quarterback Diego Pavia and the option run game. The Hokies’ defense had no answers to the Commodores’ rush offense, and the Scarlet Knights are going to have to attack the Hokies the same way.
Pavia carried the ball 26 times for 104 yards rushing and added a touchdown to his line as well. The motion of each play along with the Commodores’ use of the option caused the Hokies to leave open running lanes all game.
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