Rutgers soccer acquired off to a fantastic begin. The Scarlet Knights constructed a seemingly comfy 16-point lead over Virginia Tech.
Then the Hokies climbed again with consecutive scoring drives within the fourth quarter, making each Scarlet Knights fan sweat and ponder whether Rutgers was about to blow a recreation that when appeared headed for a cushty Scarlet Knights win.
However Jai Patel kicked a 24-yard area aim with two minutes remaining and Robert Longerbeam secured an enormous interception with simply greater than a minute left to lock up a 26-23 victory for the Scarlet Knights at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Virginia on Saturday.
Patel’s area aim got here after Rutgers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis hit Ian Robust with a display screen cross to the precise on the primary play of the drive and Robust went 63 yards to get all the way down to the Hokies’ 12.
Momentum swung from sideline to sideline.
Rutgers saved it when it mattered most.
“To have the ability to do what we did,” coach Greg Schiano instructed reporters after the sport, “is vital transferring ahead.”
With the win, Rutgers improved to 3-0 to arrange what must be an electrical and raucous setting for its residence recreation towards Washington on Friday.
Listed here are some fast takeaways from the Scarlet Knights’ win over Virginia Tech:
Strong recreation from Rutgers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis, offense
Kaliakmanis completed 16-of-25 passing for 269 yards.
In his third recreation with Rutgers, the Minnesota switch once more appeared comfy and poised operating Kirk Ciarrocca’s offense.
Total Kaliakmanis was correct. He made sensible performs.
It was what Rutgers wanted in a recreation that was removed from good.
The Scarlet Knights completed with 422 complete yards off offense to Virginia Tech’s 320.
Kyle Monangai ran for 84 yards on 26 carries with one landing, which got here within the first quarter after Rutgers punted and Nasir Montgomery compelled a fumble on the return that the Scarlet Knights recovered on the Hokies’ 31.
Sam Brown completed 60 yards on 14 carries with two scores to type a robust 1-2 punch with Monangai.
Rutgers additionally held the ball (39:20) as Virginia Tech (20:40).
Missed alternatives
Rutgers had a number of probabilities to actually put this recreation away and bury Virginia Tech. However too typically the Scarlet Knights couldn’t capitalize.
With Rutgers main 14-7 within the second quarter, Jai Patel missed a 36-yard area aim.
Then on the Scarlet Knights’ subsequent possession, Kenny Fletcher, who general had a pleasant recreation regardless of this miscue, fumbled the ball away on the Virginia Tech 3-yard line and the Hokies recovered.
Rutgers’ protection responded by forcing a security – defensive finish Wesley Bailey rushed into the top zone on third-and-8 from the Hokies 6, pushing an offensive lineman into Hokies QB Kyron Drones – however the Scarlet Knights nonetheless left factors on the board.
Within the third quarter Rutgers was up 23-7 and dealing with fourth-and-goal from the 1 and went for it. However the Scarlet Knights couldn’t get into the top zone as Kaliakmanis was flushed out of the pocket and threw the ball into the bottom.
Rutgers later tried a 53-yard area aim as an alternative of punting within the third quarter, however Patel couldn’t make it.
Good recreation from Kenny Fletcher
Fumble apart, this was a strong efficiency for Fletcher, the Delran product who moved from defensive finish to tight finish forward of the Pinstripe Bowl final season.
Fletcher on Saturday completed with seven catches for 61 yards. He had 5 catches by Rutgers’ first two video games.
It’s been some time for the reason that Scarlet Knights have had a dependable tight finish that may be a weapon for the offense. Fletcher, a receiver in highschool, appears to be like like he can fulfill that function.
Welcome again, Tyreem Powell
The star linebacker made his long-awaited return after tearing his Achilles within the winter whereas he was already recovering from a season-ending wrist damage he suffered final season towards Indiana.
Powell, who was initially dedicated to Virginia Tech earlier than flipping to Rutgers, missed the primary two video games after which the bye week allowed him one other week to get more healthy.
However the Vineland native was again on the sector Saturday to provide a significant increase to the Scarlet Knights protection.
And he made an enormous impression early, registering a sort out for loss on the primary play from scrimmage.
Powell is a difference-maker for Rutgers protection. Dariel Djabome and Moses Walker stepped up this season to assist take in the loss – and don’t overlook the Scarlet Knights are additionally with out Mohamed Toure for the season due to a torn ACL – however having Powell again is large for Rutgers.