Rutgers University’s football team will travel to West Lafayette, Indiana, to face Purdue on October 25 at Ross-Ade Stadium. The game is scheduled for noon Eastern Time and will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network. This marks Rutgers’ first appearance at the stadium with fans in attendance; their previous visit in 2020 occurred without spectators.
Rutgers currently holds a 3-4 record overall and is winless in Big Ten play (0-4), while Purdue stands at 2-5 overall and also seeks its first conference victory. The Scarlet Knights lead the all-time series against Purdue, having won both prior matchups.
Head coach Greg Schiano continues to emphasize special teams and ball security. Under his leadership, Rutgers has blocked 76 kicks, including three blocked punts this season—the third-highest total nationally. “The Birthplace of College Football,” as Rutgers calls itself, has played a record 1,429 games since its inception in 1869.
On offense, coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca is in his third year back with Rutgers. Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis ranks among the top ten in school history for passing yards (4,560), completions (359), and touchdown passes (29). Running back Antwan Raymond has scored ten touchdowns this season and is ranked 22nd nationally with 615 rushing yards. Receivers KJ Duff, Ian Strong, and DT Sheffield are all on the Biletnikoff Award watch list—marking the first time since 2008 that multiple Rutgers receivers have been recognized.
Defensively, co-coordinator Robb Smith leads a unit that recorded three takeaways against Oregon last week—the most by Rutgers in a Big Ten game since facing Michigan State in 2023. Defensive lineman Eric O’Neill leads with 4.5 tackles-for-loss; linebacker Dariel Djabome was named Third Team All-Big Ten last season.
Special teams remain a strength for Rutgers: defensive backs Jett Elad and Kaj Sanders each blocked punts earlier this season versus Norfolk State. Kicker Jai Patel matched his career-long field goal of 51 yards against Oregon last week.
In their last meeting with Purdue in 2020, Rutgers overcame a halftime deficit to win 37-30 after dominating time of possession in the second half. The Scarlet Knights also won their first matchup with Purdue during Homecoming in Piscataway in 2017 by a score of 14-12.
After facing Purdue, Rutgers will continue its road stretch by playing No. 23 Illinois on November 1.
