The 2024 Rate Bowl was the only postseason matchup between a Big 12 team and a Big Ten team. The Rate Bowl was set up as a showdown of star running backs, but that did not happen. For Kansas State, star DJ Giddens, a second-team All-Big 12 honoree, sat the game out. For Rutgers, first-team All-Big Ten performer leader Kyle Monangai missed the game. Despite the stars sitting out, the offenses stood out for both teams. In a back-and-forth game, Kansas State beat Rutgers 44-41 in the Rate Bowl. Coming back from a 17-point deficit, the Kansas State defense stepped up when it meant the most in the fourth quarter to deliver the win.
It is hard to imagine how the game would have been much different if Giddens and Monangai had played. The offenses came to prove themselves. Both Kansas State and Rutgers were able to run the ball well all game. By the final whistle, the teams put up 85 points and 936 yards. Kansas State set a school record with 535 yards. This game also helped prove that culture matters. Both teams played solid, fundamental football. Despite Giddens and Monangai moving on, the future is bright for both Kansas State and Rutgers.
The Rate Bowl was a seesaw battle between these teams. Kansas State started the scoring with a 3-0 lead. Then, Rutgers dominated to build a 34-17 lead in the third quarter. However, the Scarlet Knights were put on the defensive the rest of the way as their offense stalled while Kansas State kept attacking. Kansas State took the lead back with just over four minutes left in the game and held on to win 44-41.
Key Takeaways: Kansas State Comes Back to Beat Rutgers in the Rate Bowl
Rutgers and Kansas State faced off in the Rate Bowl, and Kansas State emerged victorious, 44-41. The offenses came to play, despite each team missing their top weapon at the running back position.
Next Man Up
The major stars that played running back all season for each of these teams were missing. For Kansas State, it was Giddens. For Rutgers, it was Monangai. However, looking at the glass half-full, this game gave the coaches a chance to evaluate some younger players. From the get-go, Kansas State coach Chris Klieman gave Dylan Edwards opportunities. Edwards is the likely heir apparent to Giddens in the Wildcat backfield. He made his presence felt early, including a 43-yard run on the first Kansas State offensive possession of the game. By the end of the Rate Bowl, Edwards had set a school bowl record with 196 rushing yards. Joe Jackson also saw some quality snaps, with quarterback Avery Johnson contributing to the running game as well.
On the Rutgers side, coach Greg Schiano and the Scarlet Knights gave Antwan Raymond the first shot at running back. Raymond finished with over 100 yards and three touchdowns. Ja’Shon Benjamin also contributed to the success of both the ground game and the passing attack. The run-pass-option (RPO) helped Rutgers establish some flow to the offense early on, and was managed well by quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis. Kaliakmanis came into the game with a relatively low completion percentage, and this game was a continuation of that. However, this is somewhat by design as Rutgers has used the passing game primarily as a way to take chances down the field. For example, Kaliakmanis connected with Ian Strong on a 60-yard completion that helped further open up the running game.
Coaching Adjustments
In most games, in-game adjustments are the difference between winning and losing. However, what does not get enough attention are the adjustments necessitated by the nature of college football and bowl games. There was a lot of horsepower taken out of this game with Giddens and Monangai skipping. However, both teams were still well-prepared and played a good, disciplined, and high-scoring game.
Kansas State was able to fill the hole left by the absence of Giddens. While Edwards received the majority of the snaps from the running back position, there were a few players who were able to take advantage of the opportunities presented. Jackson and Johnson also ran well. Ironically, the passing attack was more of a challenge for the Wildcats, with Jayce Brown leading the way in catching the ball. The Kansas State defense was able to make the needed adjustments to clamp down on the Rutgers offense late in the game.
Rutgers saw a lot of change prior to the Rate Bowl. Monangai did not play. Additionally, the Scarlet Knights were down a defensive coordinator. Joe Harasymiak was hired as the head coach at UMass. In the Rate Bowl, Schiano served as the defensive playcaller. On offense, Monangai still contributed. Coming off the field at halftime, Schiano complemented the performance of Raymond, while commenting “He’s been running the ball well, and Kyle’s been coaching the heck out of him.” Schiano has also been a huge fan of disciplined special teams. When the offense was sputtering in the late third quarter, Christian Dremel broke through with a 61-yard punt return to set up Raymond’s third touchdown.
By the Numbers: Kansas State Comes Back to Beat Rutgers in the Rate Bowl
Offense
Passing: Kansas State threw for 195 yards, compared to 237 for Rutgers. Johnson completed 15 of 30 for 195 yards, with three touchdowns and one interception. For Rutgers, Kaliakmanis completed 14 of 32 for 237 yards, with one touchdown and one interception.
Rushing: Kansas State had 351 yards, compared to 164 yards for Rutgers. Edwards led Kansas State, and all players, with 196 rushing yards on 18 carries, and two touchdowns. Johnson added 51 yards on 11 carries, adding a touchdown. Rutgers was led by Raymond, who had 113 yards on 18 carries and three touchdowns. Benjamin rushed seven times, gaining 33 yards with a touchdown.
Receiving: Brown led Kansas State with 60 yards on five catches. The Kansas State receiving touchdowns were scored by Jackson, Edwards, and Garrett Oakley. For Rutgers, Strong led the team with a game-high 105 yards on five receptions. Benjamin had the only Rutgers receiving touchdown.
Defense/Special Teams
Defense: Austin Romaine had seven tackles to lead Kansas State. Cody Stufflebean and Chiddi Obiazor had one sack each, while Jack Fabris, Damian Ilalio, Desmond Purnell, and Travis Bates all added a half-sack each. Additionally, Daniel Cobbs had the Kansas State interception. Tyreem Powell and Robert Longerbeam led Rutgers with a game-high eight tackles each. Shaquan Loyal had a sack, with Kyonte Hamilton and Dariel Djabome contributing a half-sack each. The Rutgers interception was by Longerbeam.
Special Teams: For Kansas State, Chris Tennant converted his only field goal attempt. He converted all three of his extra-point attempts. Simon McClannan punted four times, averaging 46.5 yards per punt. For Rutgers, Jai Patel converted both of his field goal attempts, as well as all five extra-point tries. Jakob Anderson punted four times, averaging 44.5 yards per punt.
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