Kirk Ciarrocca, the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for Rutgers football, has been named a nominee for the Broyles Award, according to an announcement from the Frank & Barbara Broyles Foundation. The award is given each year to college football’s top assistant coaches.
Ciarrocca is in his third season back with Rutgers and sixth overall with the team. Under his guidance, Rutgers’ offense has shown steady improvement over the past three seasons. This year, the team is averaging 371.1 yards per game in Big Ten play, which would be its highest average since joining the conference in 2014.
Rutgers currently ranks among national leaders in several statistical categories: 11th in fewest fumbles lost (3), 14th in fewest turnovers lost (10), 15th in time of possession (32:31 per game), and 21st in fourth down conversion percentage (65.6%). The Scarlet Knights are also fourth in the Big Ten for passing offense and time of possession.
The team has achieved some notable milestones this season. It is the only program nationally to have both a player reach at least 200 rushing yards and another reach at least 200 receiving yards in a single game. Running back Antwan Raymond ran for 240 yards against Maryland, while wide receiver KJ Duff recorded 241 receiving yards at Purdue.
Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis is having a standout season as well, ranking fifth all-time at Rutgers with 2,786 passing yards so far this year. He aims to become just the third player in school history to surpass 3,000 passing yards in a season.
Antwan Raymond was recently named one of ten semifinalists for the Doak Walker Award after becoming just the ninth player at Rutgers to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season. His performance against Maryland earned him recognition as Doak Walker National Running Back of the Week.
Three Rutgers receivers—Duff, Ian Strong, and DT Sheffield—have each surpassed 500 receiving yards this season. All three were included on the Biletnikoff Award watch list.
Tight end Kenny Fletcher Jr. made it onto the Mackey Award watch list after recording multiple catches in eight out of ten games played.
Much of this production has come behind an offensive line that has featured consistent starters on its interior positions throughout all eleven games so far this season.
Ciarrocca was previously recognized as a semifinalist for the Broyles Award in 2019. He brings over three decades of coaching experience and has coached numerous players who went on to be drafted into the NFL.
Rutgers will face Penn State next Saturday at SHI Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on Big Ten Network.
