PISCATAWAY, N.J. – After rushing for 143 yards (8.9 yards per carry) and scoring three touchdowns, Rutgers football's RB Kyle Monangai was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week, the conference office announced Monday. The Scarlet Knights defeated Virginia Tech, 35-16, last Saturday at SHI Stadium.

Monangai becomes the second Scarlet Knight to earn Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week, joining Gary Nova, who claimed the honor following the 2014 victories over Michigan and Maryland.

Monangai registered a 19-yard touchdown on the Scarlet Knights' first offensive snap against the Hokies. The Roseland, New Jersey, native later ripped off a 55-yard dash to the end zone with it being a one-score game in the fourth quarter, his longest career run and longest for RU since 2020 (Isiah Pacheco). He capped the day with a 12-yard touchdown to help Rutgers complete a 3-0 homestand.

Monangai leads the Big Ten (sixth nationally) with 357 total rushing yards and 126.7 all-purpose yards per game heading into week four. His five touchdowns are second most in the conference, as he has scored in each of the three games so far. In addition, Monangai is the first Rutgers player with consecutive 100-yard rushing games since 2016 (Robert Martin) with the career-best 165 previously against Temple. He is up to 1,037 career rushing yards.

The 357 rushing yards are the most for a Scarlet Knight through game three since Paul James (493) in 2013 and the last with rushing touchdowns in each of the first three games was Ray Rice (eight total) in 2007.

This marks the second-straight week Rutgers football has garnered a weekly conference award. PK Jai Patel took home Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week on Sept. 11.

The Scarlet Knights hit the road for the first time this season with a trip to face No. 2 Michigan Saturday at Michigan Stadium. Kickoff is set for noon on Big Ten Network and the RWJBarnabas Health Rutgers Sports Network.

Week 1: 14 car., 49 yards, 1 TD
Week 2: 28 car., 165 yards, 1 TD
Week 3: 16 car., 143 yards, 3 TD@RFootball RB @kylemonangai is off to a great start in 2023.

Watch all 3 of his TD runs in today's 35-16 win over Virginia Tech. ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/4hIMRAY6fS

— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) September 16, 2023

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