In the season opener that concluded with a heated finish, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights earned a convincing 38-7 win over Howard University. The final moments of the game were marked by controversy and a sideline skirmish.
With only seven seconds remaining and Rutgers comfortably ahead, backup quarterback Ajani Sheppard handed off to freshman running back Antwan Raymond, who ran 11 yards for a final touchdown. This decision led to a tense confrontation between Howard’s head coach Larry Scott and Rutgers’ Greg Schiano.
According to NJ Advance Media, Scott expressed his frustration by telling Schiano to “have some class.” This brief clash heightened tensions, leading to a heated exchange among players from both teams before they left the field.
After the game, both coaches commented on the incident. Larry Scott acknowledged the frustration over the unexpected touchdown, stating, “The frustration obviously mounted. I think things can be done a little bit better,” while expressing respect for Schiano and noting, “In that situation, I would have chosen to handle it a little bit differently.”
Greg Schiano, while praising Scott’s coaching abilities, defended his team’s actions, saying, “You see it through your lens. I’m very comfortable with the way we handle our team, that I handle our team.”
Despite the game’s dramatic ending, Howard University showcased their strengths. The Bison defense was resilient, limiting Rutgers to 14 points by halftime, with defensive standout Kenny Gallop Jr. recording 14 total tackles. On offense, Jarett Hunter and Eden James made notable contributions, though Rutgers’ dominance ultimately prevailed.
Rutgers demonstrated a strong ground game, with Kyle Monangai leading the charge with 165 rushing yards on 19 carries. Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis contributed 147 passing yards and three touchdowns to the team’s performance.
Looking forward, Howard University plans to regroup as they prepare for their next game against Mercyhurst on September 7th, followed by a high-profile matchup against Morehouse College in the HBCU NYC Classic the following week. Howard is focused on regaining their form as they aim for another MEAC Championship and a spot in the Celebration Bowl in December.
Meanwhile, Rutgers will look to build on their season-opening success when they host Akron.
