PISCATAWAY, NJ — Rutgers is coming off its first successful football season since 2014, and coach Greg Schiano and the Scarlet Knights are looking to do more this season.
A nationally ranked defense returns most of its starters. A new quarterback takes over an improved offense that included the league’s best runner last season. The special teams are solid. Most importantly, there are high hopes at the State University of New Jersey that the team can compete in an expanded league that stretches coast to coast for the first time.
Schiano is entering the fifth season of his second tenure at Rutgers, the birthplace of college football. His first lasted from 2001-2011 and ended with six bowl appearances in his final seven seasons. He left the team to spend two years as an NFL head coach.
He didn’t return to head coaching until Rutgers asked him to once again rebuild a program during difficult times. He posted records of 3-6, 5-8 and 4-8 before finishing 7-6 last season with a win over Miami in the Pinstripe Bowl.
The roster is well-positioned for Year 5. The talent level includes future NFL prospects and expectations are higher. Schiano doesn’t mind.
“I didn’t come out of retirement to go to a bowl game,” he said. “I came out of retirement to win a championship at Rutgers. Hopefully we can do that.”
Charging Leader
Senior Kyle Monangai returns after leading the conference with 1,262 yards on 242 carries, including 903 in league games. He scored eight touchdowns and averaged 97.1 yards. The Scarlet Knights also have more depth with Samuel Brown and Ja’shon Benjamin back for another season.
Strong defense
Rutgers finished in the top 20 in the country in total defense last season, and eight of its 11 regulars are expected to return.
Linebacker Mohamed Touré, their best sack last season with 9 1/2, tore his ACL this week for the second time in three years and will miss this season.
The best returners are end Aaron Lewis and cornerback Robert Longerbeam. Linebacker Tyreem Powell was injured in offseason training and is making progress in his recovery, Schiano said.
Quarterback change
Minnesota transfer Athan Kaliakmanis outperformed returning starter Gavin Wimsatt in the spring, prompting Wimsatt to transfer to Kentucky.
Kaliakmanis started 17 games for the Gophers and threw 17 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He is more of a passer than Wimsatt and the team is hoping for more big plays.
Receiver room
It’s been a while since Rutgers has had a receiver who could make big plays. Perhaps they found one at nearby Monmouth University in transfer Dymeer Miller. Last season with the Hawks, he had 90 catches for an FCS-record 1,293 yards. His highlight was 11 catches for 333 yards and 2 TDs against New Hampshire in November.
The schedule
With the expansion of the Big Ten this season, Rutgers may have gotten lucky. No. 2 Ohio State, No. 3 Oregon, No. 8 Penn State, No. 9 Michigan and No. 25 Iowa are not on the schedule. The conference schedule includes Washington, Wisconsin, Nebraska, UCLA, No. 23 Southern California on the road, Minnesota, Maryland, Illinois and Michigan State.
The opening game is at home against Howard on August 29th and the short non-league schedule ends with a challenging visit to Virginia Tech on September 21st.
