Rutgers football got off to a great start. The Scarlet Knights built a seemingly comfortable 16-point lead over Virginia Tech.
Then the Hokies climbed back with consecutive scoring drives in the fourth quarter, making every Scarlet Knights fan sweat and wonder whether Rutgers was about to blow a game that once seemed headed for a comfortable Scarlet Knights win.
But Jai Patel kicked a 24-yard field goal with two minutes remaining and Robert Longerbeam secured a huge interception with just more 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 field goal came after Rutgers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis hit Ian Strong with a screen pass to the right on the first play of the drive and Strong went 63 yards to get down to the Hokies’ 12.
With the win, Rutgers improved to 3-0 to set up what should be an electric and raucous environment for its home game against Washington on Friday.
Here are some quick takeaways from the Scarlet Knights’ win over Virginia Tech:
Solid game from Rutgers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis, offense
Kaliakmanis finished 16-of-25 passing for 269 yards.
In his third game with Rutgers, the Minnesota transfer again looked comfortable and poised running Kirk Ciarrocca’s offense.
Overall Kaliakmanis was accurate. He made smart plays.
It was what Rutgers needed in a game that was far from perfect.
The Scarlet Knights finished with 422 total yards off offense to Virginia Tech’s 320.
Kyle Monangai ran for 84 yards on 26 carries with one touchdown, while Sam Brown had 60 yards on 14 carries with two scores.
Rutgers also held the ball (39:20) as Virginia Tech (20:40).
Missed opportunities
Rutgers had multiple chances to really put this game away and bury Virginia Tech. But too often the Scarlet Knights couldn’t capitalize.
With Rutgers leading 14-7 in the second quarter, Jai Patel missed a 36-yard field goal.
Then on the Scarlet Knights’ next possession, Kenny Fletcher, who overall had a nice game despite this miscue, fumbled the ball away at the Virginia Tech 3-yard line and the Hokies recovered.
Rutgers’ defense responded by forcing a safety – defensive end Wesley Bailey rushed into the end zone on third-and-8 from the Hokies 6, pushing the right tackle into Hokies QB Kyron Drones – but the Scarlet Knights still left points on the board.
In the third quarter Rutgers was up 23-7 and facing fourth-and-goal from the 1 and went for it. But the Scarlet Knights couldn’t get into the end zone as Kaliakmanis was flushed out of the pocket and threw the ball into the ground.
Rutgers later attempted a 53-yard field goal instead of punting in the third quarter, but Patel couldn’t make it.
Nice game from Kenny Fletcher
Fumble aside, this was a solid performance for Fletcher, the Delran product who moved from defensive end to tight end ahead of the Pinstripe Bowl last season.
Fletcher on Saturday finished with seven catches for 61 yards. He had five catches through Rutgers’ first two games.
It’s been a while since the Scarlet Knights have had a reliable tight end that can be a weapon for the offense. Fletcher, a receiver in high school, looks like he can fulfill that role.
Welcome back, Tyreem Powell
The star linebacker made his long-awaited return after tearing his Achilles in the winter while he was already recovering from a season-ending wrist injury he suffered last season against Indiana.
Powell, who was originally committed to Virginia Tech before flipping to Rutgers, missed the first two games and then the bye week allowed him another week to get healthier.
But the Vineland native was back on the field Saturday to give a major boost to the Scarlet Knights defense.
And he made a big impression early, registering a tackle for loss on the first play from scrimmage.
Powell is a difference-maker for Rutgers defense. Dariel Djabome and Moses Walker stepped up this season to help absorb the loss – and don’t forget the Scarlet Knights are also without Mohamed Toure for the season because of a torn ACL – but having Powell back is huge for Rutgers.
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