Rutgers finally got into the Big Ten win column, and it came the hard way.
The Scarlet Knights outlasted Maryland 37-30 in a game that swung back and forth before Rutgers’ second-half surge proved decisive. Both teams came in still searching for their first conference victory, and for much of the afternoon it looked like the Terrapins might be the ones to break through. Instead, Rutgers flipped the script after halftime, outscoring Maryland 24-7 in the second half and leaning especially hard on a huge third quarter.
The game opened with Rutgers digging out of an early mess. Maryland controlled the first half 23-13, aided by a blocked kick that was returned for points and turned what could have been a tying moment into a three-point deficit for the Knights. The Terrapins kept pushing from there and stretched the lead to 10 before the break.
Rutgers answered after halftime, and the momentum turned fast. Maryland missed a field goal on its first drive of the third quarter, then the Knights responded with three touchdowns to build a 14-point cushion with a little more than four minutes left.
Even then, the finish was anything but comfortable. Maryland raced back down the field and cut the margin to one possession, then forced Rutgers to punt and put together another drive.
The Terrapins reached the red zone and got to a fourth-down chance to tie the game, but the would-be touchdown catch was ruled out of bounds. That gave Rutgers the ball back for the closing kneel-downs.
Dylan Lonergan turned in one of his strongest games of the season, going 23-for-35 for 291 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. KJ Duff was his top target, hauling in nine catches for 113 yards and two scores.
Clay Thevenin also gave Rutgers a lift out of the backfield. He ran for 109 yards on 17 carries and scored once on the ground, while also adding a touchdown through the air.
Defensively, Rutgers had to survive some stressful moments, especially late. The Knights held Maryland to 4-for-13 on third down, but the Terps found more success on fourth down, converting 3 of 4 tries. Maryland finished with 378 total yards and averaged 5.9 yards per play.
The win may not change the bigger picture of the season, but it was clear evidence that Rutgers is still competing and not backing down. There may be more chances ahead to stack a few more victories before the year is done.
Next up, Rutgers heads to Evanston, Illinois, to face No. 25 Northwestern on Oct.
- Kickoff is set for noon, and the game will air on Peacock.
In Other News...
KJ Duff Is Giving Rutgers Fans A Bigger Reason To Dream
KJ Duff keeps giving Rutgers fans another reason to believe the passing game can be more than just a side story. In the 37-30 win over Maryland, the junior wide receiver caught nine passes for 113 yards and two touchdowns, helping turn a tense conference game into another sign that the Scarlet Knights have a real playmaker in the room. Greg Schiano had plenty to like about the way Duff handled the moment, and quarterback Dylan Lonergan was sharp as well, finishing 23 of 35 for 291 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.
Duff's production matters because it is starting to stack up in a way that gets attention beyond a single Saturday. His latest two-score outing moved him close to a place in the Rutgers record book, and the way he is being used suggests there may still be more coming as the season goes on. For a program looking to keep building on wins like this one, having a receiver who can tilt a game is the kind of development that changes the conversation. [Read more 🡒]
Rutgers Win Just Triggered Fallout Maryland Couldnt Ignore
Marylands loss to Rutgers did more than add another defeat to the ledger. It also prompted a coaching change, with head coach Mike Locksley moving on from defensive coordinator and outside linebackers coach Ted Monachino as the Terrapins entered their bye week.
Locksley said he appreciated Monachinos work, but the decision came after a fresh evaluation of the program and the defensive side of the ball. With the bye week now serving as a reset point, Maryland will use the pause to sort through what comes next on that staff and how it wants to respond after the setback in Piscataway. [Read more 🡒]
Rutgers Gave Fans A Real Reason To Debate This Team's Progress
Rutgers got an early look at where it stands this offseason in a Madison Square Garden exhibition against a St. Johns team that figures to be among the better groups in the country. The Scarlet Knights played with enough purpose in the first half to build a 46-28 cushion, and the overall performance offered a reminder that there is real talent here, even against a program expected to chase a deep NCAA Tournament run.
The final result still left plenty to sort through after a long night of swings, but the individual production was encouraging. Tariq Francis poured in 24 points, while Christian Gurdak gave Rutgers a strong inside presence with 20 points and 14 rebounds, two signs that the roster has some pieces worth watching as the season gets closer. [Read more 🡒]