Rutgers opens the season with a dominant win over Howard

Rutgers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis threw three touchdowns against Howard on Thursday night from SHI Stadium.
Rutgers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis threw three touchdowns against Howard on Thursday night from SHI Stadium.

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights (1-0) kicked off the 2024 college football season from SHI Stadium on Thursday night against the Howard Bison (0-1). Rutgers defeated the Bison 44-7.

Rutgers had 476 yards on offense (147 yards passing, 329 yards rushing) and 29 first downs. Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis completed 15 of 24 passes (63%) for 147 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 6 carries for 43 yards. Running back Kyle Monangai had 19 carries for 165 yards, and 1 touchdown, and running back Samuel Brown V had 14 carries for 68 yards, 1 catch for 34 yards, and 1 touchdown.

Wide receiver Dymere Miller made 4 catches for 37 yards, and one touchdown, and tight end Kenny Fletcher made 4 catches for 31 yards and 1 touchdown. Kicker Jai Patel made one field goal for 52 yards. Rutgers’s defense made 67 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 pass breakup, 1 interception, and 1 touchdown.

Howard had 261 yards on offense (116 yards passing, 145 yards rushing) and 14 first downs. Quarterback Ja’Shawn Scroggins completed 14 of 25 passes (56%) for 116 yards, 1 interception, and 12 carries for 67 yards.

 Running back Jarett Hunter had 12 carries for 40 yards and 2 catches for 16 yards. Wide receiver Isiah Williams made 3 catches for 39 yards, and Richie Ilarraza made 4 catches for 25 yards. Howard’s defense made 77 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks.

Next Saturday, Rutgers host the Akron Zips at 12 pm on the Big Ten Network. Subscribe to Fubo to watch all of the 2024 Rutgers Scarlet Knights season. Purchase Rutgers tickets today on StubHub and Viagogo.

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My name is Michael Heilman. I'm the Founder of BGMSportsTrax. An independent blog dedicated to covering regional and national sports, while presenting commentary on sports-related stories.