Nebraska Football Opponent Preview: Rutgers

Date: Saturday, October 5th, 2024

Location: Memorial Stadium – Lincoln, NE

Time: 3 p.m.

TV Broadcast Info: FS1 (Alex Faust and Robert Smith)

Radio Info: Husker Radio Network with Greg Sharpe, Damon Benning and Jessica Cody. A list of affiliates can be found at Huskers.com/Listen.

Rutgers – Nebraska History: Nebraska and Rutgers will be meeting for the seventh time overall and the sixth time as Big Ten Conference opponents. The Huskers have won each of the six matchups in the series, including victories at Memorial Stadium in 2014 and 2017.

Preview:

Rutgers comes to Lincoln with a 4-0 record following a 21-18 victory on Friday night against Washington in the Scarlet Knights’ Big Ten opener. The win over the Huskies followed a perfect non-conference slate highlighted by a road victory at Virginia Tech.

The Scarlet Knights come into this contest averaging 35 points per game, while only giving up 16.3 points per game. Coach Greg Schiano’s team features one of the nation’s top rushing offenses, as Rutgers averages 237.8 rushing yards per contest and better than 420 yards per game in total offense. The Scarlet Knights have committed just two turnovers through four games in the 2024 season.

The biggest weapon Rutgers possesses is Senior running back Kyle Monangai. He averages nearly 25 carries and 147.3 yards per contest. He will be a real challenge for the Blackshirts. He has also scored 6 TDs on the season. Senior quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (a transfer from Minnesota) has completed 61.5% of his passes while throwing for 7 TDs and 1 INT. The Scarlet Knights receiving corps is led by Senior wide receiver Dymere Miller. He has 15 receptions for 227 yards.

Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

The Rutgers defense is led by Junior linebacker Dariel Djabome, who has 36 tackles on the season, 11 of which are solo. Second on the team in tackles is Senior defensive back Desmond Igbinosun with 22. Rutgers as a team has 4 sacks, 3 interceptions and 2 fumble recoveries.

Schiano’s group is usually very disciplined, and very talented when it comes to special teams. Nebraska has to be very careful, particularly since the field goal unit has been…well interesting at best. Rhule and company will have their hands full with a hard-nose defense in Rutgers. Hopefully they can get the job done.