Rutgers running back Kyle Monangai was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week following his dominant performance against Virginia Tech on Saturday. He is the first Rutgers player to win earn that honor since Gary Nova in 2014.
Monangai ran it 16 times for 143 yards at 8.9 yards per rush and 3 touchdowns in leading Rutgers to a 35-16 victory against the Hokies. He scored touchdowns on carries of 19 yards, 55 yards, and 12 yards. Monangai is the first RU running back to score a touchdown in the first three games of the season since Ray Rice did it in 2007. He is also the first to register back to back 100 yard rushing performances since Robert Martin did it in 2016. The Roseland, New Jersey native has now rushed for 1,037 yards in his Rutgers career.
He leads the Big Ten with 357 rushing yards, which is sixth best nationally. Monangai is averaging 6.2 yards per carry and a 119 yards rushing per game.
“Yeah, he’s running very, very hard, running smart, running determined,” said head coach Greg Schiano after the Virginia Tech win. “Thank goodness, right, because he’s helped us win games.”
Monangai has been the most important player for Rutgers in its 3-0 start. It’s been a breakout season for the former Don Bosco Prep running back. He’s only 88 yards away from topping his rushing total from all of last season (445 yards). offense. Part of the reason is usage. Monangai only received double digit carries in four of 12 games played last season. He In averaging 19 carries per game this season, he’s been the catalyst for an offense that’s averaging 31.7 points per game.
He is the second Scarlet Knight to receive weekly honors from the Big Ten so far this season. Last week, Rutgers kicker Jai Patel was named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week.
Rutgers will next play at No. 2 Michigan in the Big House on Saturday, September 23 at noon ET airing live on the Big Ten Network.
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FlaRef
September 18, 2023 at 12:01 pm
Great game by Kyle but need a complementary passing game starting this week. Can’t beat the big boys with passing game averaging 2.9yds a game.
pj43
September 18, 2023 at 2:08 pm
No doubt Monongai has been the top offensive weapon for Rutgers thus far and the recognition is well deserved. He appears to be a nice young man on top of it all and a great symbol of what Rutgers football is all about.