RUTGERS (2-0) vs. DELAWARE (2-0)
September 18, 2021 • 3:30 p.m. ET • Big Ten Network
SHI Stadium • Piscataway, N.J.
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Following a road win at Syracuse to improve to 2-0, Rutgers football returns home to host Delaware Saturday at SHI Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. It will be the first meeting between the Scarlet Knights and Blue Hens since 1973.
Rutgers leads the nation with a +8 turnover margin, ranks second with a net punt of 50.7, third with only five penalties against, fourth allowing just 14.8 percent on third down and 11th only permitting 10.5 points per game. In addition, the Scarlet Knights have outscored opponents 12-0 in the first quarter and 24-0 in the fourth quarter through two weeks.
In an effort to encourage a safe environment for fans as well as improve the ease of entry into the stadium, Rutgers moved to mobile-only tickets, which can be added to an Apple Wallet or Google Pay app. Digital tickets provide for contactless entry, limiting person-to-person interactions, while speeding entry time into the venue and also offers a secure means to transfer and exchange tickets. Representatives from the Rutgers ticket staff will be on hand to help assists customers with any digital ticket related matters. Fans will also receive mobile parking passes that they can manage like their digital tickets. Fans are encouraged to download mobile tickets and parking passes to their Apple Wallet or Google Pay apps prior to arriving at the stadium.
When traveling to Piscataway, please avoid using Landing Lane Bridge to access SHI Stadium. The roadway will be closed to vehicles while repairs are completed now through mid-November. A full detour is in place for the duration of the project. Motorists are asked to follow posted detour signage. Please allow for extra time as stadium traffic could become congested on Rutgers football game days.
The game will broadcast on Big Ten Network. Viewers can find the channel through
btn.com/gamefinder. The FOX Sports App will also stream the game.
TV: Big Ten Network (FOX Sports App)
Play-By-Play: Lisa Byington
Analyst: Matt Millen
Reporter: Krystle Rich
Radio: RWJBarnabas Health Rutgers Sports Network
WCTC 1450-AM, WOR 710-AM, XM 106, Sirius 202, Scarlet Knights App
Play-By-Play: Chris Carlin
Analyst: Mike Teel
Analyst: Eric LeGrand
Sideline: Anthony Fucilli
Engineer: Paul Shrager
Pre/Post: Marc Malusis & Julian Pinnix-Odrick
Student Radio: WRSU 88.7-FM
Jake Schmied & Doug Willig
- Rutgers seeks to start 3-0 for the first time since 2012.
- Rutgers is one of nine teams nationally that have not conceded a turnover in 2021. RU last started a season with back-to-back no-turnover games in 2005, looking to have three-straight overall for the first time since 2009. The Scarlet Knights have forced 16 turnovers over the last five games dating back to last year.
- Rutgers is 42-19 in non-conference games under head coach Greg Schiano, having won 19 of the last 22. That includes a 25-10 mark at home, winners of 11 of the last 13.
- Schiano is tied for third in program history with 73 wins leading the Scarlet Knights. Frank Burns holds the record with 78 victories.
- Following a scoreless first half, RB Kyle Monangai rushed for an 11-yard touchdown in the third quarter to break the seal in capping a 13-play drive over 6:15. Syracuse answered with a touchdown, but Rutgers converted a fourth down later in the quarter to lead to a 30-yard scoring pass from QB Noah Vedral to TE Jovani Haskins to put the Scarlet Knights on top. The defense held SU to 31 yards in the fourth quarter, with PK Valentino Ambrosio tacking on a field goal to set a 17-7 final score. Rutgers improved to 2-0 for the first time since 2014.
- The Scarlet Knights won the turnover battle, 3-0. DB Avery Young forced a fumble in the red zone recovered by DB Max Melton, DL Mayan Ahanotu picked up a strip sack in a one-score game that was gathered by DL CJ Onyechi and Melton snagged an interception late to seal the win. Overall, the defense held the Orange to 14 first downs, 67 rushing yards, 2-for-14 on third down and collected six sacks. LB Olakunle Fatukasi notched a game-high 13 tackles.
- P Adam Korsak earned Big Ten Co-Special Teams Player of the Week after averaging a career-best 52.2 yards on six attempts with a net of 51.7. The Aussie pinned 5-of-6 inside the 20, had four attempts of at least 50 yards, including a 69-yarder that settled at the 1. Rutgers posted a net advantage of 28.3 yards in the punt game.
- 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. Overall, RU improved to 4-1 in road games since 2020.
- 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.
- Vedral went 22-for-28 at Syracuse for his fifth game as a Scarlet Knight with at least 20 completions. He ranks third in the Big Ten with a 67.3 completion percentage.
- Monangai ranks 19th nationally with three rushing touchdowns, while RB Isaih Pacheco paces the team with 85 rushing yards.
- WR Bo Melton posted a career-high eight receptions last week and owns 123 overall, needing four more to move into the top 10 in program history.
- Rutgers ranks second nationally in turnovers gained (8), fourth holding opponents to 14 percent (4-for-27) on third down, ninth in sacks per game (4.5), 11th in scoring defense (10.5), 11th in red zone defense (.500), 11th in first downs defense (26) and 17th with three interceptions.
- Fatukasi leads the Big Ten with 11 tackles per game, including 4.5 for loss and three sacks.
- Max Melton, who had a pick-six week one, recorded an interception, fumble recovery, pass breakup, blocked punt and two tackles in the win at Syracuse.
- Rutgers ranks second nationally and first in the Big Ten with a net punt of 50.7. Korsak has booted 36 at least 50 yards in his career, 10 of 60 or more yards, and pinned 83 inside the 20 with only five touchbacks (2.3 percent).
- Max Melton blocked a punt at Syracuse, the 61st blocked kick by the Scarlet Knights under Schiano.
- PK Valentino Ambrosio is 2-for-3 on field goals and 10-for-10 on extra points to start the season.
- Rutgers will take on Delaware for the first time since 1973 and 32nd time overall.
- In the last meeting, the Scarlet Knights won at home, 24-7, to snap the Blue Hens' 20-game winning streak.
- The undefeated 1961 Rutgers team topped Delaware, 27-19.
- Rutgers has had five games versus Delaware with a player rushing for at least 100 yards, with a high of 160 by Bryant Mitchell in the 1968 win.
- The first meeting between the programs took place in 1901.
- Special assistant to the head coach Joe Susan played at Delaware (1973-76), helping his team post a 36-12-1 record. The 1976 Newark Touchdown Club Offensive Lineman of the Year, he helped the Blue Hens capture two Lambert Cups (1974, 1976) and reach the 1974 NCAA Division II national championship game.
Rutgers opens Big Ten play Sept. 25 at Michigan. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. on ABC or ESPN. The Scarlet Knights have won four of their last five road games.
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