2024 MAC Football Week 2 Game Recap: Rutgers Scarlet Knights 49, Akron Zips 17

The Akron Zips (0-2) went on the road for the second-straight week to start the season, hoping to upend the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (2-0) coming off their gutsy performance against Ohio State the week before.

But Piscataway would offer no relief, as the Zips’ early momentum was neutered by a lack of composure and the Scarlet Knights took advantage en route to a dominating 49-17 victory at SHI Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Zips caused defensive havoc early, as Oregon transfer Daymon David jumped the route on a deep pass and intercepted an Athan Kaliakmanis throw to set up Akron for a potential go-ahead score. But the chance was squandered, as the offense immediately went three-and-out.

Rutgers gave the ball right back on a four-and-out, as the Scarlet Knights opted to go for it on fourth-and-three at the Akron 48-yard line. Kaliakmanis’ pass to Chris Long was called incomplete, and the Zips would take back the ball.

Akron put one of their best drives of the day together after that, with Ben Finley scrambling for 11 yards before tossing a 27-yarder to Charles Kellom out of the backfield to set up the Zips inside the Rutgers nine-yard line to potentially take the lead.

The new set of downs would produce no fruit, however.

Kellom was stopped at the line on first down, Akron drew a delay-of-game on second down, then Tahj Bullock— who was lined up at quarterback for the first time in the game— was sacked for an 11-yard loss on a trick play attempt to force a third-and-goal from the 24-yard line. Finley tossed an incompletion out of bounds and Garrison Smith would miss the 41-yard attempt.

The Scarlet Knights made them pay immediately, as Kaliakmanis would toss two 12-yard passes and Kyle Monangai would finish the drive with a three-yard running score set up by his own 46-yard scamper on the previous play to give Rutgers the 7-0 lead with 47 seconds left in the first quarter.

Akron eventually replied with a Garrison Smith field goal from 41 yards out with 6:06 remaining, but they could have done more.

The Zips drew two delay-of-game penalties on the drive, with the latter one ultimately creating a four-yard loss on third-and-seven. It was a missed opportunity, as they had driven the ball inside Rutgers’ 10-yard line on the strength of Finley’s back-to-back 10+ yard completions and an eight-yard scramble.

Akron found themselves in danger once again on the next drive, as Kyle Monangai burst forward for a 62-yard gain on third-and-three deep in Rutgers territory, but did manage to get a break on a touchdown called back due to an offensive penalty on the next play. But in a familiar pattern, Akron committed a penalty on the very next play to scrub away a potential third-and-13 and instead gift Rutgers the ball with a new set of downs.

The Zips managed to stop Monangai for no gain on second-and-goal, forcing Rutgers to depend on the arm of Kalialmanis, who was 5-of-12 with an INT at that point. Kaliakmanis responded by tossing the ball towards the inside tight-end— who was triple-covered— but the ball skipped off the fingers of defensive lineman Bennett Adler and into the waiting hands of KJ Duff to put the Scarlet Knights up 21-3 with 1:54 remaining before halftime.

The Zips found some pep in their step on the first drive of the second half, as Jordon Simmons converted a third-and-seven on the ground, and Ben Finley scrambled for 16 yards on the next play, eventually setting up receiver Adrian Norton for a 32-yard touchdown where he was uncovered.

This put the score at 21-10 early in the third quarter, but Rutgers took control from there, forcing two three-and-outs and scoring two touchdowns, with Kyle Monangai capping off a 12-play, 75-yard drive with a two-yard score and Chris Long eviscerating his assignment for a 58-yard receiving score to put the third quarter tally at 35-10.

Kenny Fletcher’s nine-yard receiving score and Antwan Raymond’s two-yard rush in the fourth quarter would expand Rutgers’ lead even more, while Jordon Simmons would get his first score as a Zip on a 72-yard touchdown run, putting the final tally at 49-17 in favor of the home side on this day.

Ben Finley finished 14-of-31 for 138 yards, a touchdown and an interception for the Zips, while Tahj Bullock was 3-of-3 for 13 yards and registered a long run of five yards. Jordon Simmons stepped up as a leading runner, with 109 yards and a touchdown on the day. Finley was also responsible for 29 net rushing yards on the day, including a 16-yard pick-up. Charles Kellom had 48 total yards on nine touches (seven rushes, two receptions), while Adrian Norton (three catches, 55 yards) scored the team’s lone passing TD.

Bryan McCoy (11) and Antavious Fish (10) each had double-digit tackles for the Zips defensively. Devontae Golden-Nelson had an outstanding first half before struggling with injury in the second half, leading the team with two pass break-ups. Four Akron defenders each combined for a half tackle-for-loss, while Daymon David had the early INT.

Garrison Smith was 1-of-2 on field goals, both missing and making from 41 yards out. Avery Book averaged 47.5 net yards on five punts.

For Rutgers, Athan Kalikamanis finished 14-of-23 after a 5-of-13 start, with 230 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. Kyle Monangai earned an early exit after accumulating 208 yards and three touchdowns on 27 carries, with two rushes over 40 yards. Chris Long led the receiving attack, with four catches for 87 yards, including a 58-yard touchdown score. Dymere Miller had four catches for 77 yards to contribute, while Kenny Fletcher and KJ Duff each picked up scores in the redzone.

Desmond Igbinosun led the Scarlet Knights in tackles (six), while also notching a tackle-for-loss and a pass break-up. Eric Rogers and Malik Ray picked up the team’s two sacks, Shaquan Royal hauled in the team’s lone interception.

Aussie punter Jakob Anderson had two punts for 81 total yards for Rutgers.

Akron will stay at home next week, hosting their first contest of the 2024 campaign when they take on FCS Colgate. The game is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 14th at 6 p.m. Eastern time.

Rutgers, meanwhile, takes a week off to rest before traveling to Virginia Tech.