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    • Takeaways from Scarlet Knights win
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    Takeaways from Scarlet Knights win

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    PISCATAWAY – Rutgers football’s undefeated start continues.

    The Scarlet Knights turned in a solid performance on both sides of the ball and held off a late Washington comeback attempt to escape with a 21-18 win at a raucous SHI Stadium Friday night.

    Greg Schiano’s team improved to 4-0 for the first time since 2012 with the victory over the Huskies, who advanced to the national championship game last season.

    This was the biggest win the Scarlet Knights have had in years.

    Rutgers running back Sam Brown had a 37-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter and that made the difference as Washington scored a touchdown with less than two minutes left and converted the two-point attempt to get within three.

    The Scarlet Knights went three-and-out on their ensuing drive.

    Washington took over at its own 39 with 35 seconds left.

    The Huskies attempted a 55-yard field goal with three seconds left, but kicker Grady Gross’ kick went wide left.

    Rutgers persisted.

    Here are some takeaways:

    The Rutgers football offense continues to play well with Athan Kaliakmanis at quarterback

    This was perhaps the Scarlet Knights’ best offensive performance, and ironically it came against the toughest defense they have faced to date.

    Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis finished 14 of 24 passing for 115 yards and one touchdown. He made some excellent throws, including a touchdown pass to Ian Strong, and once again managed the offense well.

    Kaliakmanis made some big plays on Rutgers’ first scoring drive.

    On third-and-10 from the Rutgers 37, he hit Chris Long for a 19-yard pass. On second-and-9 from the Washington 43, Kaliakmanis held on and ran 13 yards for a first down. Then on third-and-9 from the Huskies 29, he threw to Dymere Miller for a 12-yard pass to keep the drive going again.

    It ended with a one-yard touchdown run from Kyle Monangai.

    The attack was generally balanced and effective. It certainly wasn’t perfect – there were several point drops by receivers – but it was productive enough to get the win.

    For Rutgers that is all that matters.

    Rutgers gets a gift from Washington and takes advantage of it

    It was a wild affair in the second quarter.

    Rutgers brought up the field goal unit on fourth and fifth from the 20 for Jai Patel to attempt a 38-yard field goal.

    Washington managed to block the kick in what looked like a hard blow for Rutgers, but then the Huskies were called for an illegal substitution.

    The Scarlet Knights had first and 10 at the Washington 15. They needed one play to get into the end zone.

    Kaliakmanis threw a perfect pass into the end zone for Ian Strong, who made a great catch with a defender on top of him for the touchdown that gave Rutgers a 14-3 lead.

    It was a serious mistake by Washington, but Rutgers did what was necessary to take advantage of it.

    Another 100-yard game from Kyle Monangai

    Monangai continues to post dazzling performances.

    The running back finished with 132 yards on 25 carries and one touchdown — punching it in from a yard out in the second quarter.

    In the third quarter, Rutgers had a first-and-10 on its own 2-yard line, but Monangai took the handoff and rumbled for a 40-yard run, bouncing off multiple Washington defenders and avoiding tackles along the way.

    Monangai’s profile continues to rise – this appearance on national television certainly helped.

    The Don Bosco Prep product also passed Isiah Pacheco for seventh place on Rutgers’ all-time rushing list.

    Great atmosphere at SHI Stadium

    Since the game was moved to Friday evenings in primetime, this game has had the potential to be a special setting in Piscataway for a while now.

    Well, that’s exactly what happened.

    It was a sold out venue. The student section was packed well before kick-off. There was a light and fireworks show before the match and another light show at half time, with the band wearing headlamps.

    The crowd was loud and engaged from the start.

    It has been a long time since Rutgers had such a homely atmosphere.

    The fans did their part and Rutgers put on a good show.

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