Rutgers gets Howard at SHI Stadium on Friday night, and the Scarlet Knights are still searching for their first win of the season. After a valiant effort against USC last week, Rutgers heads into this one as a heavy favorite and will try to finally turn the corner in Piscataway.
The history between these teams has been one-sided. This is the seventh meeting, and the most recent matchup came in 2024.
Rutgers has won all six previous games, and every victory has come by double digits. Across those six contests, the Scarlet Knights have outscored Howard 261-60.
Here’s how the series has gone:
Sept. 23, 2006: Rutgers 56, Howard 7
Sept. 12, 2009: Rutgers 45, Howard 7
Sept. 8, 2012: Rutgers 26, Howard 0
Sept. 6, 2014: Rutgers 38, Howard 25
Sept. 10 2016: Rutgers 52, Howard 14
Aug. 29, 2024: Rutgers 44, Howard 7
Kickoff is set for Friday, September 25 at 7:00pm PM ET at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, NJ. The forecast calls for 67 degrees, cloudy skies, a 40% chance of rain, and winds at 10-20 mph.
The game will air on BTN with Chris Vosters on play-by-play, Anthony Herron as the color analyst, and Dannie Rogers on the sideline. It will also stream on the Fox One App.
For radio listeners, the Rutgers Sports Network will carry the game on WFAN 101.9 FM/660 AM and Fox Sports New Jersey 93.5 FM/1450 AM, with Chris Carlin, Eric LeGrand, Mike Teel, and Anthony Fucilli on the call. WRSU 88.7 FM will have Jayden Tomlinson, Noah Addeo, and Reggie Smith, and the broadcast is also available on the Audacy app, SiriusXM 83, and the Scarlet Knights app.
Statistically, Rutgers has leaned on Dylan Lonergan at quarterback. He has completed 34 of 65 passes for 494 yards with five touchdowns and five interceptions.
Antwan Raymond leads the ground game with 298 yards on 62 carries, averaging 4.8 yards per rush with one touchdown. K.J.
Duff has been the top target, catching 24 passes for 419 yards at 17.5 yards per catch and six touchdowns. On defense, Chris Joines and DK Gilley share the team lead with 18 tackles, while Moses Walker and Zaire Angoy each have one sack and Walker has two interceptions.
Howard’s passing attack has been led by Ja’Shawn Scroggins, who has gone 36-for-78 for 467 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions.
For Rutgers, the assignment is straightforward: get the first win, do it convincingly, and give the home crowd something to celebrate. After a rough opening stretch and one close call against a Top 12 opponent, the Scarlet Knights are looking for a night that feels a lot less chaotic and a lot more satisfying.
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