In a dominant victory, Rutgers defeated Howard 44-7 on Thursday night, with Kyle Monangai running for 165 yards and a touchdown. Transfer quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis threw three touchdowns and Eric Rogers also returned an interception for a score. The game ended controversially with Rutgers scoring on the last play, angering Howard coach Larry Scott. Nonetheless, Rutgers coach Greg Schiano defended the decision, stating it was an opportunity for backups to play. Eden James, son of NFL player Edgerrin James, scored a touchdown for Howard. Monangai matched his career-best rushing yards in the game. Kaliakmanis threw for 147 yards and hit eight different receivers, showcasing a balanced offensive performance.
Rutgers’ top-ranked defense from last season continued their strong performance, with Rogers scoring on an interception return. Rutgers rushed for 329 of their 476 total yards, with Brown adding 68 yards on the ground. Howard’s Ja’shawn Scroggins ran for 67 yards and passed for 116 in the losing effort. The BetMGM College Football Odds line favored Rutgers by 34 1/2 points.
Howard will face Mercyhurst in their home opener next, while Rutgers will play Akron at home. The victory marks Rutgers’ eighth straight non-conference win. Despite the lopsided result, Coach Scott believes there are positives to build on for Howard moving forward.
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Photo credit wtop.com
