Rutgers fell to Penn State 40-36 in a closely contested football game at SHI Stadium on Saturday, concluding the Scarlet Knights’ season with a 5-7 record overall and 2-7 in Big Ten play. The matchup drew an attendance of 55,212.
The Scarlet Knights led midway through the fourth quarter before Penn State secured the win with a go-ahead touchdown on a fumble return with just over seven minutes left. Rutgers was unable to recover and mount a comeback in the closing minutes.
Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis completed 16 of 22 passes for 338 yards and accounted for four touchdowns—three passing and one rushing. His performance made him only the third quarterback in Rutgers history, and the first since Mike Teel in 2008, to surpass 3,000 passing yards in a season. Wide receiver KJ Duff caught a touchdown pass and surpassed the 1,000-yard receiving mark for the year. DT Sheffield also recorded a touchdown reception.
Running back Antwan Raymond carried the ball 29 times for 189 yards and scored once on the ground. He also had two receptions for 62 yards, including a significant 46-yard touchdown catch.
On defense, Jett Elad posted a season-high eleven tackles and one tackle-for-loss. Linebacker Dariel Djabome contributed six tackles along with one sack.
Rutgers started strong with an opening five-play drive capped by Raymond’s 19-yard touchdown run. The teams traded scores throughout much of the first half, entering halftime with Penn State leading by three after a late field goal.
In the third quarter, Kaliakmanis connected with Duff for another score that gave Rutgers its first lead of the second half. However, Penn State responded quickly before both teams exchanged leads again early in the fourth quarter.
With under eight minutes remaining, Penn State capitalized on a Rutgers fumble to take their final lead of the game.
Following this game, several program milestones were achieved:
• Rutgers averaged its highest total offensive output per game (389.1 yards) since joining the Big Ten Conference.
• For only the second time in program history—and first since 2007—the team had players reach thresholds of over 3,000 passing yards (Kaliakmanis), over 1,000 rushing yards (Raymond), and over 1,000 receiving yards (Duff) in one season.
• Kaliakmanis finished his year with 3,124 passing yards—the fourth-most ever by a Scarlet Knight—and became their first quarterback since Teel to throw at least twenty touchdowns.
• Raymond’s rushing total reached eighth all-time at Rutgers for single-season yardage; his performance against Penn State set an individual school record versus that opponent.
• Duff logged his third triple-digit receiving yardage game this season and is now seventh all-time at Rutgers for single-season receiving yardage.
• Several players marked career milestones regarding games played during this contest.
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