Rutgers Outduel the Spartans on the Road

Saturday evening, Rutgers Scarlet Knights (7-5) led by superstar running back Kyle Monangai rushed for 129 yards and a touchdown, Antwan Raymond added two scoring runs and Jai Patel kicked four field goals on Saturday to help Rutgers to a 34-14 victory over Michigan State (5-7) in the wintry regular-season finale for both teams. Monangai rushed for 129 yards and a touchdown, moving past Terrell Willis for the second-most career rushing yards in program history with 3,221. Rutgers scored on eight of its nine possessions in the game that was played in blowing snow and wind chills in the teens.

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“I’ll tell you, 7-5 isn’t what we set out to do before the season,” Monangai said. “It's the first time it’s been done. So it’s history. It’s special. And you know, for guys that came into my class, like we always talked about leaving the place better than we found it. So I’m glad that we can say that our last year we’re able to make a step in the right direction, in a sense, and then leave a mark as a first team to do something.”

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In the opening mintues of the game, the Spartans opened the scoring with a Nate Carter’s 25-yard touchdown run. Nonetheless, the Scarlet Knights answered with a seven-yard Monangai score of their own. Towards the back stretch of the season, the Scarlet Kights offense has played much more efficently. Rutgers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis threw for another touchdown pass to Ian Strong, followed by a two-point conversion caught by KJ Duff.

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“I think we’re getting better and better, and to close out the regular season, the way we did as a team, not just offensively, as a team, was awesome,” said Kaliakmanis, who completed 13 of 22 passes for 137 yards. “And I think it’s only going to keep improving.”

Despite the Spartans taking the lead, the Scarlet Knights controlled all phases of the game. The defense prevented Michigan State from moving the ball, the offense was able to convert seven of 13 third downs. Not to mention, special teams hit all four of its field goal attempts. Rutgers won its seventh game, the most in a regular season since also going 7-5 in 2014. Rutgers has secured a winning season in back-to-back years for the first time since 2011-12. Rutgers won its fourth Big Ten game, its most in a season since joining the league. 

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What’s Next for Rutgers?

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Rutgers will play in the 13th bowl game in program history. Bowl selections will be announced Sunday, Dec. 8.

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“We didn't play well enough to earn a win or the chance to continue to play on,” first-year Michigan State coach Jonathan Smith said. "It is going to take work to get this to a better place. We’ve had definite ups and downs. We got to get it going. We got to get better; that starts with the coaches."

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