While it was beginning to feel like a special season, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights have dropped their last three games after starting the season 4-0. This week, the Scarlet Knights managed to score over 25 points; however, it wasn’t enough to bypass the UCLA Bruins. During homecoming, the Scarlet Knights were defeated 35-32 and now look to bounce back against the Trojans.
The game started with Rutgers giving up an early touchdown, putting them down 7-0. The Scarlet Knights responded, tying the game at 7-7 late in the first quarter with a 1-yard rushing touchdown from quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis—his fourth career rushing score and first this season. Despite Rutgers' defense containing UCLA for much of the first quarter, the Bruins were able to drive down the field again, leaving the game tied at the end of the first quarter.
In their first meeting, the Scarlet Knights appeared to get off to a slow start both offensively and defensively. While Rutgers made a defensive stand early in the second quarter, forcing UCLA to punt on a 4th and 8 situation, the Bruins’ offense, led by QB Ethan Garbers, continued to gain momentum. Garbers was 12-15 for 100 yards and a touchdown in the first half. Rutgers moved the ball well at times, with star running back Kyle Monangai carrying three times for 18 yards early in the second quarter, but the offense struggled to finish drives.
Rutgers punted on 4th and 2 from midfield, playing for field position, only to nearly capitalize on a fumble by Garbers. However, Garbers made up for it with a 49-yard carry for a touchdown on UCLA’s next possession, capping a 10-play, 91-yard drive that put UCLA up 14-7 with two minutes left in the half. The Scarlet Knights fought back with a 49-yard field goal by Jai Patel, cutting the lead to 14-10, but UCLA moved the ball effortlessly down the field once more. Nearing halftime, Garbers found his tight end up the seam for an easy touchdown, making it 21-10 Bruins at the break.
Rutgers' star running back Kyle Monangai recorded his third career game with three rushing scores, bringing his career total to 24 touchdowns on the ground, the eighth-most in school history. His 10 touchdowns in 2024 are tied for the 10th-most in a season in program history. Monangai has scored in 6-of-7 games this season.
“Kyle Monangai is one of the top three toughest guys I’ve ever coached,” Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano stated. “I’m not going to get into what he played with, and neither will he. But what he went through today—especially after taking a hit, whatever that was, in the second quarter—and for him to return and play the way he did, my hat is off to him. He knows how much I respect not only his game but his toughness.”
Monangai rushed for 106 yards, making this his fourth 100-yard game of the season and the 12th of his career. Recently, he passed Brian Leonard (2003-06) for fifth place in program history with 2,787 career rushing yards.
Knights Defensive Struggles Continue
In the last two weeks, the Scarlet Knights defense has allowed 77 points after being regarded as one of the best defenses in the country earlier this season. Naturally, as the season progresses, injuries begin to affect performance, but Schiano emphasized that injuries are not an excuse. “All teams throughout football are injured and sore,” he stated.
Rutgers came out in the second half with some momentum, cutting the game close after a blown coverage led to a 67-yard touchdown pass for UCLA—the longest TD of Garbers' career—which pushed the Bruins’ lead to 28-19 late in the third quarter. However, despite the Knights' effort, the offense continued to struggle to generate consistent drives.
“I think that’s what I’ve got to look at: is a healthy player better than an 80 percent other guy?” Schiano emphasized. “I’ve got to make some decisions, especially on a short week. I have absolutely no idea what our medical situation is coming out of the game. But we have a lot of really tough kids, guys that play with pain.”
Despite the tough loss, one glaring statistic stood out as the turning point of the game: Rutgers allowed 223 yards after the catch, which nearly accounted for the entire passing offense of the Knights throughout the game. This speaks to issues with tackling and making plays in the open field, allowing the Bruins to secure the victory.
“... 223 yards after the catch is the stat that just smacks me in the face,” Schiano continued.
“We didn’t tackle well. Last year, Michigan and Rutgers were going back and forth as the best-tackling teams in football. We haven’t forgotten how to tackle or coach it. But that’s the hardest part of playing defensive football. If you’ve never done it, you don’t understand it, and if you’ve done it, you know exactly what I’m talking about.”
As the fourth quarter began, Rutgers was down 28-19, and while they managed to make a big play that set them up with great field position, a missed field goal by UCLA gave the Knights another chance. Unfortunately, the Scarlet Knights were unable to capitalize on some late-game breaks, including an interception by Miles Dodson and a huge catch by Rutgers' wide receiver. Monangai continued to be a bright spot, racking up 18 carries for 105 yards, including a 30-yard run.
With 1:45 left in the game, Rutgers cut the lead to 35-32, setting up an attempted onside kick that the Scarlet Knights nearly converted into a touchdown. UCLA's 44-yard kickoff return for a touchdown appeared to seal the game, but it was overturned upon review, giving Rutgers hope. However, UCLA ultimately secured the victory by kneeling out the clock.
What’s Next for the Scarlet Knights?
Rutgers travels to California for the third time in program history and the first time since 2013 to face USC on Friday, Oct. 25, at 11 p.m. ET. The game will broadcast on FOX and mark the first-ever meeting on the gridiron between these programs.
