Kaliakmanis throws 3 TD against former mates as Rutgers ends 4-game slide and beats Minnesota 26-19

PISCTAWAY, N.J. – In the world of football, there are few moments that can dramatically alter the course of a game and a season. On Saturday, Rutgers linebacker Tyreem Powell delivered such a moment with a perfectly executed tackle that forced a crucial late fumble, helping the Scarlet Knights secure a 26-19 win over a surging Minnesota squad.

The game-changing fumble, recovered by Shaquan Loyal with 8:28 left, set the stage for quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis to throw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Ian Strong, giving Rutgers its first lead of the game. The victory not only snapped the Scarlet Knights’ four-game losing streak but also revived their hopes for bowl eligibility with three regular-season games remaining.

Kaliakmanis, a Minnesota transfer, had been sharp throughout the game, throwing touchdown passes of 1 and 17 yards to Dymere Miller in the first half. In the second half, he connected with an open Strong for a touchdown that gave the Gophers a 21-16 advantage with just over seven minutes remaining.

Before that, Minnesota (6-4, 4-3 Big Ten) had looked poised to secure a fifth straight win. A touchdown pass from Max Brosmer to Marcus Major gave the Gophers a 16-14 lead to start the second half, and their defense had kept Rutgers off the board for most of the half. But the momentum swung sharply after Powell’s fumble-causing tackle.

Brosmer, who finished 27-of-45 for 262 yards, acknowledged the sudden shift in momentum, noting, “It’s just football — things can turn quickly, and today, we came out on the wrong side of it.”

After the turnover, Rutgers’ defense continued to make plays. On the next drive, defensive lineman Jordan Walker sacked Brosmer in the end zone for a safety, extending the Scarlet Knights’ lead to 23-16. With 2:45 remaining, kicker Jai Patel added a 22-yard field goal to make it a two-score game.

Minnesota’s hopes of a comeback were dashed when Rutgers kicker Dragan Kesich, who had previously nailed a 51-yard field goal in the first half, added a 30-yarder with 1:10 left. The Gophers, out of timeouts, couldn’t mount a final rally, and Strong recovered an onside kick to seal the victory.

Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano praised his defense, which had been criticized during the team’s recent struggles. “I’m proud of how they responded,” Schiano said, noting that the defense had allowed an average of 40 points during the team’s three-game losing streak.

Kaliakmanis, who had a chance to catch up with many of his former teammates and coaches after the game, finished 17-of-33 for 240 yards. Meanwhile, Minnesota’s running game struggled, managing only 35 yards on 19 carries, including an 18-yard touchdown run from Darius Taylor to open the scoring.

Up next:

• Minnesota: The Gophers have a bye week before hosting No. 6 Penn State on Nov. 23.
• Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights travel to Maryland for their next matchup.