RUTGERS 17 (2-0), SYRACUSE 7 (1-1)
CARRIER DOME • SYRACUSE, N.Y.
SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 • ATTENDANCE: 31,941
SYRACUSE, N.Y. –
Behind a 14-point third quarter, Rutgers football (2-0) defeated Syracuse (1-1), 17-7, on Saturday afternoon at the Carrier Dome. Quarterback
Noah Vedral tossed a 30-yard touchdown pass to tight end
Jovani Haskins and running back
Kyle Monangai scored an 11-yard touchdown run to help the Scarlet Knights to their first 2-0 start since 2014.
Vedral finished with 22 completions for 145 yards to go with the touchdown pass to Haskins. Linebacker
Olakunle Fatukasi led the team with 13 tackles, while the defense forced three turnovers and registered a season-high six sacks, including one from defensive lineman
Mayan Ahanotu in the fourth quarter to help secure the win. On special teams, punter
Adam Korsak averaged 52.2 yards per attempt on six chances, which included five inside the Syracuse 20-yard line and a long of 69 yards.
Rutgers' special teams unit made an impact in the opening minutes of the game, as defensive back
Max Melton blocked a punt and running back
Jamier Wright-Collins recovered at the Syracuse 18-yard line. It marked the 61st block kick under head coach
Greg Schiano and the first of the season.
The Scarlet Knights had an opportunity to convert the blocked kick into points, but a 14-yard touchdown pass from Vedral to tight end
Jovani Haskins was called back due to offensive pass interference. Syracuse took the ball into RU territory on the ensuing possession, but Melton recovered a fumble force by defensive back
Avery Young to give the Scarlet Knights possession.
The quarter would end scoreless.
RU's defense continued to shine before the half, as the Scarlet Knights allowed just 45 total yards, negative two rushing yards and held the Orange 0-for-4 on third-down conversions in the second quarter. Syracuse had an opportunity to take a lead into the locker room, but kicker Andre Szmyt's 43-yard attempt with nine seconds left in the half went wide left. Vedral took a knee to end a scoreless first half.
Rutgers was the first to score out of halftime, as Monangai capped a 13-play, 63-yard scoring drive with an 11-yard touchdown run to make it 7-0 Scarlet Knights with 6:46 left in the third quarter. RU picked up four first downs on the drive, while Vedral completed seven passes to set Rutgers up for the score.
Syracuse responded on the following possession. Quarterback Tommy DeVito found wide receiver Taj Harris for a 51-yard connection, which was followed by a 24-yard touchdown run from running back Sean Tucker to tie the game 7-7 at the 5:54 mark in the quarter.
The Scarlet Knights closed the quarter with another scoring drive, as Vedral found Haskins for a 30-yard touchdown pass right down the middle of the field. It was a career-long reception for Haskins, as Rutgers took a 14-7 lead into the fourth quarter.
RU held Syracuse off the board in the final 15 minutes, while kicker
Valentino Ambrosio drilled a 27-yard field goal attempt to extend the lead, 17-7, with just over eight minutes to go in the game. Rutgers then forced an Orange punt on the following possession and was able to run off more than four minutes of clock to leave the Carrier Dome with a win. Melton picked up his second interception in as many weeks to seal the victory.
Rutgers hosts Delaware on Saturday, Sept. 18 for a 3:30 p.m. kickoff on Big Ten Network.
- To honor the 37 alumni and all those lost in the Sept. 11 attacks, Rutgers football wore special uniforms in remembrance. The jersey featured stripes in tribute to the first responders, while the helmet showed names of Rutgers alumni lost, including football letterwinner James Martello. "Never Forget" displayed on the helmet and down the sides of the jersey as well.
- Rutgers improved to 2-0 for the first time since 2014.
- Head coach Greg Schiano earned his 73th victory leading the Scarlet Knights, tying John Bateman for third in program history.
- Rutgers advanced to 42-19 in non-conference games under Schiano, now having won 19 of the last 22. The Scarlet Knights have won nine of the last 11 road non-conference games led by Schiano.
- Rutgers beat Syracuse for the seventh time in the last nine matchups and fourth in the last five inside the Carrier Dome. The Scarlet Knights won for the sixth time in the last eight games versus the Orange under Schiano.
- Rutgers improved to 54-27 when scoring first under Schiano.
- Rutgers won the turnover battle, 3-0. It was the 30th game under Schiano not committing a turnover and second in a row. The Scarlet Knights hold a +8 turnover margin through two weeks. The last time RU opened a season with back-to-back games with no turnovers was 2005.
- Rutgers improved to 4-1 in road games since 2020.
- The defense held Syracuse to 2-for-14 on third down after holding Temple to 2-for-13, making it just 4-for-25 against so far.
- DB Max Melton blocked a punt in the first quarter. It was the 61st blocked kick for the Scarlet Knights under Schiano.
- RB Kyle Monangai scored his third career touchdown for the initial score of the game.
- TE Jovani Haskins hauled in a 30-yard touchdown, his longest collegiate reception.
- The Scarlet Knights recorded six sacks, including one by DL Mayan Ahanotu to force a fumble. It was Ahanotu's first career forced fumble.
- WR Bo Melton hauled in a career-high eight catches. He has registered at least one reception in 23 consecutive games and at least three in 12-straight games.
- LB Olakunle Fatukasi posted a game-high 13 tackles, reaching double digits for the ninth time in his career.
- P Adam Korsak pinned 5-of-6 attempts inside the 20, including a 69-yarder downed at the 1. He posted a career-high 51.7 net with a 52.2 average after booting four attempts of at least 50 yards.
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