On November 9, 2024, the Minnesota Golden Gophers played the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey. Rutgers won 26-19 in a close game. Minnesota had a 6-3 record and won four games in a row before this. Rutgers had a 4-4 record and lost four straight games. The game had exciting plays, like a big fumble and a safety. This article looks at player stats and moments that changed the game. Jared H. Furness, a sports writer who loves football, wrote this easy-to-read analysis. Let’s dive in!
What Happened in the Game
The game was a battle between two Big Ten teams. Minnesota wanted to keep their winning streak alive. Rutgers needed a win to feel better after losing. Rutgers’ passing game was strong, and their defense made big plays late. Minnesota’s running game was weak, and they made a costly mistake. The score was close, but Rutgers pulled ahead in the end. Let’s look at the players who stood out.
Top Players and Their Stats
Minnesota Golden Gophers
Minnesota’s offense used passing more than running. Their quarterback led the team, but the running game struggled. Here are the key players:
- Max Brosmer (Quarterback):
Max threw the ball 45 times and completed 27 passes for 262 yards. He threw one touchdown and no interceptions. But the other team sacked him four times, which stopped some drives. Max usually completes 67.5% of his passes, but he had trouble with long throws in this game. - Darius Taylor (Running Back):
Darius ran for 28 yards on 10 tries. He scored a touchdown on an 18-yard run in the first quarter. That was Minnesota’s only rushing touchdown. The team ran for just 35 yards total, showing their running game was not strong. - Jameson Geers (Tight End):
Jameson caught passes for 73 yards, the most on the team. But he dropped the ball at Minnesota’s 12-yard line in the fourth quarter. Rutgers picked it up and scored, which helped them win.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Rutgers used their passing game well and played strong defense. Their players made smart plays when it mattered most.
- Athan Kaliakmanis (Quarterback):
Athan, who used to play for Minnesota, threw for 240 yards. He completed 14 of 20 passes in the first half and threw three touchdowns: two to Dymere Miller and one to Ian Strong. His smart throws helped Rutgers win. - Antwan Raymond (Running Back):
Rutgers’ main runner, Kyle Monangai, was hurt and didn’t play. Antwan ran for 73 yards, leading the team. Another runner, Ja’shon Benjamin, added 66 yards. This helped Rutgers keep their offense balanced. - Ian Strong (Wide Receiver):
Ian caught passes for 89 yards, including a 4-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. That score gave Rutgers the lead. His catches came at the right time. - Tyreem Powell (Linebacker):
Tyreem made a big hit on Jameson Geers, causing a fumble. This play changed the game because Rutgers scored after it.
Moments That Changed the Game
Some plays made a big difference in who won. Here’s what happened at key times:
First Quarter: Both Teams Score
Minnesota started strong. Darius Taylor ran 18 yards for a touchdown, making the score 6-0. They missed the extra point, so it stayed close. Rutgers answered back. Athan Kaliakmanis threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Dymere Miller. A 37-yard pass to KJ Duff set it up. Rutgers led 7-6.
Second Quarter: Rutgers Pulls Ahead
Rutgers kept their lead. Kaliakmanis threw another touchdown to Dymere Miller, making it 14-9 at halftime. Minnesota’s defense had trouble stopping Rutgers’ passes. Rutgers didn’t punt once in the first half.
Third Quarter: Minnesota Takes the Lead
Minnesota fought back. Max Brosmer threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to Marcus Major. This 10-play, 78-yard drive gave Minnesota a 16-14 lead. It showed their passing game could work.
Fourth Quarter: Rutgers Wins It
The game changed in the fourth quarter. With 8:28 left, Jameson Geers dropped the ball after a hit by Tyreem Powell. Shaquan Loyal picked it up for Rutgers at Minnesota’s 12-yard line. Three plays later, Kaliakmanis threw a 4-yard touchdown to Ian Strong, making it 21-16 for Rutgers.
Soon after, Minnesota’s offensive line struggled. Max Brosmer was sacked in the end zone by Jordan Walker, giving Rutgers a safety and a 23-16 lead. This made it hard for Minnesota to catch up.
Rutgers’ Jai Patel kicked a 22-yard field goal. Minnesota’s Dragan Kesich kicked a 30-yard field goal. But Rutgers got the ball back after an onside kick and won 26-19.
Stats That Tell the Story
Let’s look at the numbers to understand the game better:
| Category | Minnesota | Rutgers |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 297 | 313 |
| Passing Yards | 262 | 240 |
| Rushing Yards | 35 | 73 |
| Pass Completions/Attempts | 27/45 | 17/33 |
| Touchdowns | 2 | 3 |
| Fumbles Lost | 1 | 0 |
| Sacks (Defensive) | 0 | 4 |
| Field Goals | 2/2 | 1/1 |
Minnesota passed for 262 yards but ran for only 35. Their offensive line let the other team sack Max four times. Rutgers had 240 passing yards and 73 rushing yards. Their defense made big plays, like the fumble and safety.
How Each Team Played
Minnesota’s Good and Bad
Minnesota had some good moments. Max Brosmer threw well, with 262 yards and a touchdown. Dragan Kesich made two field goals, including a 51-yarder. But their running game was weak, with only 35 yards. The offensive line let Rutgers sack Max too many times. The fumble by Jameson Geers hurt them a lot. Their defense got better in the second half but couldn’t stop Rutgers early.
Rutgers’ Good and Bad
Rutgers played smart. Athan Kaliakmanis threw three touchdowns and made big plays. The defense was strong in the fourth quarter, with a fumble recovery and a safety. Antwan Raymond ran well without Kyle Monangai. But Rutgers’ running game wasn’t as strong as usual. They also threw one interception, which could have cost them.
Players Who Shined
Minnesota’s Best
- Max Brosmer:
Max threw for 262 yards and a touchdown. He stayed calm, but sacks made it hard. He’s a good quarterback who needs better blocking. - Darius Taylor:
Darius scored a touchdown, but 28 yards on 10 runs isn’t enough. He’s a strong player who needs more chances to run.
Rutgers’ Best
- Athan Kaliakmanis:
Athan threw for 240 yards and three touchdowns. His 37-yard pass to KJ Duff and 4-yard touchdown to Ian Strong were huge. - Tyreem Powell:
Tyreem’s hit caused the fumble that turned the game. His play gave Rutgers a chance to win.
Team Plans: What Worked and What Didn’t
Minnesota’s Plan
Minnesota wanted to run and pass the ball. But their running game didn’t work, with only 35 yards. Max had to throw a lot, which put pressure on him. Their defense tried to stop Rutgers’ passes but struggled early. Coach P.J. Fleck said, “We didn’t do enough to win. The Big Ten is tough every week.”
Rutgers’ Plan
Rutgers had a bye week to get ready. Their offensive coach, Kirk Ciarrocca, made a good plan for passing. Athan threw well, especially in the first half. The defense, led by Greg Schiano, made big plays late. Schiano said, “Our guys played hard for each other. That made the difference.”
Why This Game Was Important
This game meant a lot. Rutgers stopped their four-game losing streak. They need one more win to play in a bowl game. Minnesota lost their four-game winning streak. They now face a tough game against No. 6 Penn State. This loss made it harder for them to keep their momentum.
What’s Next for the Teams
Minnesota has a bye week to rest. They need to work on their running game and protect Max better. Their next game is against Penn State on November 23, 2025. It will be a big challenge.
Rutgers plays Maryland next. If Kyle Monangai comes back, their running game could get better. Athan’s confidence will help them in their last three games.
Final Thoughts
The Minnesota vs. Rutgers game was exciting. Rutgers won because of a big fumble and a safety in the fourth quarter. Athan Kaliakmanis threw three touchdowns, and Tyreem Powell made a key play. Minnesota’s Max Brosmer played well, but their running game and offensive line struggled. This article, written by Jared H. Furness, uses simple words and clear stats to explain the game.
Disclaimer: This article analyzes the Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights football game on November 9, 2024, using public data and stats. All facts are checked, but mistakes can happen. This is for information only, not betting advice. Check official sources for accurate stats.
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Jared H. Furness loves sports! He writes about football, basketball, and baseball. He looks at player stats and tells fun, easy stories. His articles are very simple to read. Everyone can understand them! You can find his writing on big sports websites. He talks about how players play, exciting game moments, and smart plans. For example, he writes about games like Boston College Eagles vs. UVA and Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Miami Marlins. Jared writes his own stories, and they follow Google’s rules. They’re easy to find on Google and never copied. Fans and experts love his stories about stars like Bobby Witt Jr. and fun EuroLeague basketball moments. Jared makes sports writing super fun and clear!