Aug 282 min read

Rutgers Opens Up Its Season Against Howard

Greg Schiano — © Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch/USA TODAY NETWORK

On Aug. 29, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights kick off their 2024 college football season against the Howard Bison at 6 p.m. EST at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, N.J. It will be Youth Football Night and following the game there will be a fireworks show for fans to attend. However, fans should hope for an early fireworks show displayed on the field by the Scarlet Knights.

Rutgers is 5-0 historically against Howard. Their first meeting in 2006 featured a 56-7 win at home marking the biggest scoring margin in the history between the two teams. The closest margin came in 2014 when the two met for the third time in a close 38-25 win for Rutgers. A close win for Rutgers could be costly in the Associated Press Poll, as Howard University is an FCS school, but a blowout win could turn some heads in the Big Ten Conference for the Scarlet Knights.

Kaliakmanis' Time to Make an Impact

Senior, quarterback, Athan Kaliakmanis is entering his first season at Rutgers after transferring from PJ Fleck’s Minnesota Gophers last year. Kaliakmanis threw for 1,838 passing yards, 14 touchdowns and 9 interceptions in 12 games played last season. He inherited the 94th-ranked offense last year in scoring and this game should serve as an easier opener for Kaliakmanis as the Bison are coming off a 6-6 season in 2023.

Pass Rushers Ready to Pounce

The four returning leaders in sacks are back this year in senior linebackers Mohamed Toure and Tyreem Powell, and senior defensive linemen Wesley Bailey and Aaron Lewis. Against an FCS opponent like Howard, the Scarlet Knights should put a ton of pressure on the opposing quarterback (Howard has not announced a starter as of press time). Mohamed Toure led the unit in sacks last year with 4.5 and totaled 21 sacks overall. Those four players should improve that mark this season, and it all begins on Aug. 29

How Howard Can Keep Up

Graduate running back Jarrett Hunter rushed for 626 yards last season for the Bison and was named to the Walter Payton Award Watch List over the summer. This is a great opportunity for him to shine against an FBS opponent.

Robert Jones III, a senior defensive back and a 2022 All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Second Team selection, led the Bison in pass deflections with 5. Expect Jones to cover Rutgers Senior wide receiver Christian Dremel. Dremel led the Scarlet Knights in receptions with 36 and receiving yards with 468 yards and 3 touchdowns.