PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Following three successful field goals in as many attempts, Rutgers football's PK Jai Patel earned Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week, the conference office announced Monday. The Scarlet Knights defeated Temple, 36-7, last Saturday night to improve to 2-0.

Patel split the uprights from 51 yards out to give RU a 10-0 lead in the second quarter. It tied for the seventh-longest make in program history and the first conversion for the team from at least 50 yards since 2019. The Monmouth Junction, New Jersey, native later made from attempts 43 and 23 yards, along with three extra points, to finish with 12 points.

In his second season at Rutgers, Patel earned the starting job during the offseason. He left South Brunswick High School holding the school record with 22 career field goals, 67 touchbacks and 78-for-78 on PATs.

Patel becomes the first RU kicker to earn Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week since joining the conference.

Rutgers football is back at SHI Stadium Saturday to host Virginia Tech in a game presented by PNC. Kickoff for the Scarlet Out/R Community Game is set for 3:30 p.m. on Big Ten Network and the RWJBarnabas Health Rutgers Sports Network.

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