RUTGERS (1-0) vs. MIAMI (OHIO) (0-1)
September 6, 2025 • 3:30 p.m. ET • Peacock
SHI Stadium • Piscataway, N.J.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Coming off a season-opening win, Rutgers football hosts Miami (Ohio) Saturday at SHI Stadium for a 3:30 p.m. kickoff. The game is presented by GGL Law Firm as the Scarlet Knights seek to start 2-0 for the fifth straight season.

The annual R Community Game is highlighted by a celebration of Eric LeGrand's 15th annual "A Walk to Believe," which culminates with No. 52 leading participants down the parade along The Rutgers Boardwalk. The parade will take place at 12:45 p.m. and lead into the pregame pep rally, team arrival and Scarlet Walk. LeGrand's walk is sponsored by Prudential and GGL Law Firm.

The game will stream exclusively on Peacock. Peacock, NBCUniversal's direct-to-consumer streaming service, features the most live sports of any SVOD service in the United States. To celebrate the historic partnership with the Big Ten, NBCUniversal is offering a student discount for a 12-month plan at $2.99 per month. Student verification required. Eligibility restrictions and terms apply. Click here for more information on Peacock and to subscribe.

Fans will see an improved entry process at SHI Stadium. Through the feedback received from postgame surveys completed by season ticket holders, fans and guests, the following adjustments will continue to remain in place:

• Fans are permitted to enter ALL gates with an approved bag.
• Fans are permitted to walk through the weapons detection system with an approved bag. A full list of approved bag sizes and dimensions are available here. An exception will be made for medically necessary items after proper inspection.

Fans are advised to arrive early to ensure a smooth entry into the stadium before kickoff. The walk-through weapons detection system, familiar to spectators who have attended other events in the region, does not require individuals to empty their pockets to enter. Those attending the event are asked to follow the instructions of public safety personnel.

The Rutgers Boardwalk, presented by Visit New Jersey, returns for year four to highlight the pregame festivities around SHI Stadium. The fun on Scarlet Knight Way begins at 11 a.m. and is free for all fans to enjoy. Check out the top food trucks in New Jersey, plus free rides, mini golf, petting zoos, pony rides, prizes and live entertainment. Week two marks Sir Henry's birthday party, as he debuts a new castle to headquarter Sir Henry's Kids Club. Stop by to write a birthday card, grab a slice of cake and receive a goody bag while supplies last. Giveaways for the game include "Beat Miami (Ohio)" buttons, posters and shakers. New for 2025, visit the air brush station to purchase a game-specific t-shirt while supplies last.

In an effort to encourage a safe environment for fans, as well as improve the ease of entry into the stadium, Rutgers continues to use digital tickets, which can be added to an Apple Wallet or Google Wallet app. Digital tickets provide for contactless entry, which can speed up 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 assist customers with any digital ticket related matters. Fans will also receive digital parking passes that they can manage like their digital tickets. Fans are encouraged to download digital tickets and parking passes to their Apple Wallet or Google Wallet apps prior to arriving at the stadium.

SHI Stadium is now cashless at all merchandise and concession stands, and now the ticket office and parking lots. Only credit or debits cards will be accepted. A cash-to-card kiosk (no fees) is available at section 113 to convert cash to a debit card. Cards can be loaded for any value up to $500 and cards will work anywhere in the U.S. that accepts MasterCard. No cardholder information is gathered, while purchases and refunds are handled like any other credit card. Food trucks on The Rutgers Boardwalk determine their own payment system and may accept cash.

Fans who park in the Jersey Mike's Arena lots can take the free campus buses over to SHI Stadium (MAP). The drop-off area is located at Lot 53A, allowing fans to walk through The Rutgers Boardwalk on the way to the stadium. The return to Jersey Mike's Arena picks up near the Bubble on the Green Lot side. Buses from College Ave will run to Johnson Park and back. All buses operate three hours prior to kickoff and return up to one hour following the conclusion of the game. The ADA shuttles will continue to take passengers to and from the stadium with locations at the Blue Lot, Silver Lot and Jersey Mike's Arena, in service until 2.5 hours after the game.

Guests are advised to review Football Game Day Central before arriving.



TV: Peacock
Play-By-Play: Paul Burmeister
Analyst: Phil Simms
Reporter: Zora Stephenson

Radio: RWJBarnabas Health Rutgers Sports Network
WFAN 660-AM/101.9-FM, FOX Sports New Jersey 93.5-FM/1450-AM, SiriusXM 85, SXM app, Audacy app, Scarlet Knights app
Play-By-Play: Chris Carlin
Analyst: Eric LeGrand
Analyst: Mike Teel
Sideline: Anthony Fucilli
Engineer: Paul Shrager
Pre/Post: Marc Malusis & Julian Pinnix-Odrick

Student Radio: WRSU 88.7-FM
Phil Jaccoma & Anthony Palumbo
 

SCOUTING RUTGERS

• Rutgers has scored at least 30 points in five consecutive games dating back to last season, last achieved in 2008. The Scarlet Knights last had six games in a row with at least 30 points in the final three games of 2006 and first three of 2007.
• Rutgers is 13-0 in non-conference regular season games since head coach Greg Schiano returned. The Scarlet Knights are 54-21 overall in non-conference games under Schiano.
• Rutgers opens a season with four consecutive home games for the first time since starting with five in a row at home in 2007.
• Since 2020, RU is 18-2 when not committing a turnover in a game.
• Rutgers, "The Birthplace of College Football," has played 1,423 games in program history on record dating back to 1869, the most in the sport.
 

LAST TIME OUT

• Rutgers posted 31 points in the first half and PK Jai Patel kicked a go-ahead field goal in the fourth quarter in a 34-31 home win over Ohio to open the season. The Scarlet Knights improved to 12-5 in season openers under head coach Greg Schiano.
• Rutgers held the ball for 10:30 to control the fourth quarter, including converting on a late fourth-and-seven to ice the clock. The offense went 5-for-5 on fourth down in the game.
• QB Athan Kaliakmanis went 18-for-23 passing for 252 yards and touchdown throws to WR DT Sheffield and WR KJ Duff. WR Ian Strong led the team with seven receptions for 100 yards. On the ground, RB Antwan Raymond posted 87 rushing yards with a score, while RB CJ Campbell Jr. went for 71 yards.
• LB Moses Walker registered a career-high 13 tackles, including two for loss, to lead the defense. That included a stop in the backfield in the fourth quarter to force a punt.
• Patel went 2-for-2 on field goals in establishing the school record for consecutive makes (15) dating back to last season.
• DB Kaj Sanders blocked a punt to directly lead to a touchdown by DB Cam Miller. It was the Scarlet Knights' 11th blocked punt since 2022, most in the nation.
 

OFFENSE

•  Kirk Ciarrocca is in his third season back as Rutgers' offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2025. Ciarrocca, who has over 30 years of coaching experience (21 as an offensive coordinator), previously served on head coach Greg Schiano's staff for three seasons, winning two bowl games from 2008-10. He has been selected as a semifinalist for the Broyles Award and coached 28 players who had their name called in the NFL Draft (six in the first round). Ciarrocca has coached the Big Ten's leading rusher two of the past three seasons.
• In 2024, Rutgers averaged 28.9 points per game for the season, the best mark in the Big Ten era and best overall since posting 29.0 in 2008. The Scarlet Knights placed sixth in the Big Ten in scoring offense, the team's best placement since joining the conference.
• QB Athan Kaliakmanis posted a career-high completion percentage (minimum 20 attempts) of 78.3 on 18-of-23 passing against Ohio. That led to 252 yards and two touchdowns through the air. He owns 5,732 career passing yards, 447 completions and 37 touchdowns.
• RB Antwan Raymond scored his ninth career rushing touchdown and totaled 87 rushing yards in the opener. RB CJ Campbell Jr. added 71 yards on the ground in his Rutgers debut.
• WR Ian Strong surpassed 1,000 career receiving yards with 100 versus Ohio, while WR DT Sheffield and WR KJ Duff each found the end zone.


 

DEFENSE

• Robb Smith is in his seventh season at Rutgers in 2025 and serves as co-defensive coordinator and play caller. A native of Leechburg, Pennsylvania, Smith previously worked on the Scarlet Knights' staff in various roles, including as defensive coordinator, from 2009-12 and from 2020-21. He is joined by co-defensive coordinator Zach Sparber, a native of Norwood, New Jersey, who comes from James Madison and has been to five bowl games.
• The season opener six players make their first start on defense for Rutgers.
• LB Moses Walker posted a career-high 13 tackles against Ohio, including two for loss.
• LB Dariel Djabome, a Third Team All-Big Ten performer in 2024, is coming off a 105-tackle season, second among returning Big Ten players. He added five stops last week.
• DL Keshon Griffin, DB Jacobie Henderson and DB Bo Mascoe all recorded pass breakups against Ohio.
 

SPECIAL TEAMS

• Rutgers has blocked 74 kicks (44 punts, 17 field goals, 13 extra points) under head coach Greg Schiano. That includes 15 games with multiple blocks, 16 touchdowns off blocks and two resulting in safeties. DB Kaj Sanders' blocked punt against Ohio was the 11th for the Scarlet Knights since 2022, the most in the nation.
• PK Jai Patel has connected on 32-of-39 career field goals with a long of 51 yards and has hit 15 consecutive attempts, a school record. He has nine career games with multiple makes, three with at least three makes and a career high of four makes.
• P Jakob Anderson forced 29 fair catches with 15 punts overall downed inside the 20 on 50 attempts in his debut season in 2024. The Aussie pinned his only attempt in the opener at the 10 yard line.
• PK Jack Scullion booted 34-of-70 kickoffs for a touchback last season.


 

VERSUS MIAMI (OHIO)

• Rutgers will play Miami (Ohio) for the first time.
• Rutgers is 106-69-1 all-time when playing a team for the first time.
• Rutgers is 14-5-1 against teams currently in the MAC, including a 34-31 win over Ohio in week one and a 49-17 win over Akron last season.
• Rutgers has four players from the state of Ohio on the roster: OL Kwabena Asamoah (Pickerington), DL Elijah King (Gahanna), TE Ben Rothhaar (Norwalk) and DL Bradley Weaver (Hilliard). In addition, DB Jett Elad attended high school in Cleveland (Saint Ignatius).
 

UP NEXT

• Rutgers continues its homestand with Band Day welcoming Norfolk State to SHI Stadium on Sept. 13. The game, presented by PNC Bank, will start at 3:30 p.m. The Scarlet Knights are 4-0 all-time in the series, last meeting in 2015.

Follow Rutgers football on X (@RFootball & @RUboardwalk), Facebook (/RFootballShow) and Instagram (@rfootball & @ruboardwalk) for the latest news and updates. Also subscribe to the YouTube channel.