Rutgers Displays Physicality in Win Over Virginia Tech

© Peter Casey-Imagn Images

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights (3-0) overcame miscues to defeat the Virginia Tech Hokies (2-2) in a physical win on the road. Rutgers left Blacksburg, Va., with a 26-23 win in a game in which they never trailed.

The story of this game was the physicality of the Rutgers offensive line that set up a powerful rushing attack. Scarlet Knights running backs Kyle Monangai and Sammy Brown V combined for 40 carries for 144 yards and 3 touchdowns on the ground. The talented duo allowed Rutgers to control the clock and wear down a talented Virginia Tech defense.

Game Summary

Virginia Tech looked defeated early in this tightly-contested matchup. An early Hokies fumble on a punt return gave the Scarlet Knights a short field and a quick 7-0 lead. After stopping the Hokies offense on fourth down on the following drive, Rutgers bulldozed down the field and took a 14-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. From the beginning, Rutgers was winning the battle at the line of scrimmage and dominating time of possession.

Virginia Tech continued to trust their talent and did not make panicked changes after the slow start. A 23-yard touchdown run by senior running back Bhayshul Tuten cut the lead to one score at the start of the second quarter. The Hokies defense began to settle into the game as well, helped in part by several Scarlet Knights miscues. A missed 36-yard field goal and a fumble in the red zone from Rutgers began to shift the momentum of the game toward Virginia Tech. The Hokies trailed just 16-7 going into halftime.

The Hokies struggled to maintain momentum at the start of the second half. Thanks to several more Rutgers miscues, though, Virginia Tech managed to stay within striking distance. After an electrifying stop by the defense, the Hokies were finally ready to capitalize. Tuten scored from 14 yards out for his second touchdown of the day and the Hokies converted their two-point try to pull within one score at the start of the fourth quarter. After falling quiet for the middle portion of the game, a raucous crowd at Lane Stadium was finally ready to turn the momentum back toward Virginia Tech.

The Virginia Tech defense quickly got the ball back for their own offense, and the Hokies flew down the field on an 8-play, 80-yard drive to score the game-tying touchdown and two-point conversion. For the first time all game, Virginia Tech looked unstoppable, while Rutgers looked lifeless on both sides of the ball.

Rutgers managed to kick a field goal to go up 26-23 with 1:56 left in the game, but the momentum was still on the side of the Hokies. Virginia Tech began their drive feeling confident that the game was theirs, but an unbelievable tipped-ball interception ultimately ended the Hokies hopes of a comeback win.

Turning Point for Rutgers

Rutgers looked like the better and more physical team for most of the game. As a result of several miscues, however, Virginia Tech had a chance to score a touchdown for the win on their final drive. Faced with a third-and-5 and needing to convert, quarterback Kyron Drones dropped back and threw to his tight end in the flat who seemed to be wide open for the first down. Rutgers cornerback Robert Longerbeam read the play perfectly, leaping into the air to bat the pass to himself and coming down with the game-sealing interception.

What It Means

The Scarlet Knights earn a signature nonconference win and build positive momentum heading into their Big Ten Conference opener next week. Through three games, Rutgers has won with toughness on the line of scrimmage and physicality in the rushing attack. Head coach Greg Schiano might finally have all the tools he needs to compete in a very physical Big Ten.

Rutgers hopes to continue their momentum next week when they open conference play against the Washington Huskies (2-1).

© Peter Casey-Imagn Images

For the Hokies, the loss will feel like a missed opportunity to regain momentum early in a season with high expectations. After returning all 11 starters on offense and 19-of-22 overall, Virginia Tech was expected to be one of the top contenders in a wide open Atlantic Coast Conference race. Now, sitting at 2-2, the season already feels like a lost cause for a talented Hokies team. If head coach Brent Pry cannot turn the season around in conference play, he may be looking for a job at the end of the season.

Virginia Tech will need to put the disappointing loss behind them quickly. The Hokies travel to face Cam Ward and the No. 8 Miami Hurricanes (3-0) in a primetime clash on Sept. 27.