Rutgers running back Kyle Monangai rushed for 165 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries as the Scarlet Knights wore down the visiting Howard Bison 44-7 on Thursday night in the season opener for each team in Piscataway, N.J.
Monangai, who led the Big Ten in rushing last season with 1,262 yards, scored from 7 yards out with 8:06 left in the third quarter to give Rutgers some breathing room at 24-7. The senior had carries of 39 and 31 yards on consecutive drives in the second quarter as the Scarlet Knights (1-0) built a 17-7 halftime lead.
Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis, in his first game for Rutgers after transferring from Minnesota, threw for 147 yards and three touchdowns. His 2-yard toss to Dymere Miller gave the Scarlet Knights a 14-0 lead with about five minutes left in the second quarter. A 34-yard scoring connection with Samuel Brown V late in the third quarter added to the rout.
Howard (0-1), an FCS school, hung around in the first half thanks to redshirt sophomore quarterback Ja’Shawn Scroggins and a defense that made just enough timely stops to limit Rutgers’ offense.
In his first collegiate start, Scroggins was 14-of-25 passing for 116 yards and ran 12 times for 67 yards. His 26-yard completion to Isiah Williams got the Bison going on a 10-play, 76-yard drive late in the second quarter. Eden James’ 2-yard touchdown run pulled Howard within 14-7.
The Scarlet Knights needed only four plays to get in position to score again, thanks mostly to Monangai’s 31-yard run and a personal foul by the Bison that added 15 yards. Jai Patel booted a 36-yard field goal with four seconds to go before intermission for a 17-7 lead.
Rutgers’ defense began the scoring when Eric Rogers returned an interception 52 yards for a touchdown with just under nine minutes left in the first quarter.
Kaliakmanis’ 3-yard pass to Kenny Fletcher pushed the lead to 38-7 with about four minutes to play, and freshman Antwan Raymond scored on an 11-yard rush as time expired.
The Scarlet Knights finished with a 476-261 advantage in total yards, although the gap was only 204-142 after the first half.
