Led by an impressive showing from quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis, Rutgers found a way to hold off Ohio 34-31 in the season opener at SHI Stadium, Thursday in Piscataway.
A game that featured a combined 863 total yards and 48 first downs between the two teams, served as a showcase for a Rutgers offense that appears to be more "air-friendly" as compared to the past few years when the Scarlet Knights pounded the rock with the likes of Kyle Monangai and Isiah Pacheco.
"He's a winner," Head Coach Greg Schiano said of Kaliakmanis when describing his quarterback's conversion on a game-icing fourth and seven in the final minutes of the game. "I think his growth and development keeps showing."
"I am very encouraged about our offense, wide receivers, running backs, offensive line. There is depth there."
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| Drew Miller (7) celebrates his blocked punt TD. Michael Cohen |
Rutgers spent much of the night with its offense in the shotgun formation, and Kaliakmanis was 18-of-23 for 252 yards and two scores as a result.
He engineered an impressive 12-play, 75-yard drive that culminated in a 14-yard touchdown run by Antwan Raymond for the early 7-0 lead.
Ohio and its quarterback Parker Navaro were up to the challenge. On multiple occasions, Rutgers had Ohio in third and long situations, but Navaro used his legs to circumvent Rutgers pressures and keep drives alive.
Ohio ate up nearly five minutes on its opening possession to score the game tying touchdown when Navarro found Mason Williams underneath for a four-yard score with 4:58 to go in the opening quarter.
The difference in the game was a 24-point Rutgers outburst in the second quarter.
Kaliakmani's 54-yard bomb to DT Sheffield sent the Rutgers faithful into a tizzy as RU jumped out to a 17-7 lead.
After Ohio answered with a Jake Bruno 14-yard score to cut the deficit to three points, Kaliakmanis and the Rutgers offense responded with a nifty 75-yard drive in six plays, that culminated in a dart to KJ Duff to make it 24-14.
After Rutgers pinned down Ohio inside the shadow of its own end zone, Rutgers' Kaj Sanders broke free of containment and blocked a punt. The ball rolled into the end zone only to have Cam Miller fall on it for the touchdown to give RU a 31-14 lead.
Schiano credited the fans with setting up the game tilting score. "They had a big part in that blocked punt, because they caused the illegal procedure that backed them up, and I felt comfortable going for the blocked punt in that situation."
Ohio would not be deterred, scoring the next 17-unanswered points, knotting the game up at 31. Rutgers offense finally kicked it into second gear again in the fourth quarter. Antwan Raymond's six-yard scamper on fourth and one at Rutgers' own 34-yard line played a huge role in the scoring drive.
Kaliakmanis later hit Ian Strong on a 26-yard out to move the ball to Ohio's 38. Rutgers was able to nurse the ball all the way to the the Ohio three-yard line before a penalty was called setting Rutgers back five yards. Jai Patel would kick the go-ahead field goal to make it 34-31.
After Ohio was set down quickly on its next possession, Rutgers put the game on ice with an impressive 13-play drive that ate up the final 6:41 of the clock.
The key play was a 4th and seven strike from Kaliakmanis to Sheffield for a first down with 1:54 to go that all but iced it.
Rutgers will host Miami of Ohio next Saturday at 3:30.
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