Self-inflicted wounds sink Rutgers in tough home loss to Iowa

PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Rutgers might remember Friday night’s 38-28 loss to Iowa as the game in which the Scarlet Knights beat themselves. 

With a record crowd of 55,942 at SHI Stadium and a chance to procure arguably their biggest win in the Greg Schiano 2.0 era, the Scarlet Knights did themselves in time and time again, with untimely penalties and missed opportunities. 

None was more costly than the defensive holding they took late in the fourth quarter while clinging to a 28-24 lead. Down to third-and-8 on their own 33-yard line, the Rutgers defense looked as though it had made the biggest stop of the night, forcing Hawkeyes quarterback Mark Gronowski to throw an incomplete pass on the run. 

Instead of lining up for a punt, Iowa kept the drive alive, and Gronowski led the Hawkeyes down the field for what would become the game-winning touchdown with 5:39 left. 

The game was all but sealed when Jaxon Rexroth picked off a pass by Athan Kaliakmanis moments later, which led to Iowa’s fifth touchdown of the game.

Rutgers looked as though it would be on a path to victory after their offense had been giving the Hawkeyes trouble, especially early on. 

Kaliakmanis finished the game with 330 passing yards — marking the second consecutive game that he’s had at least 300 through the air — and wide receiver Ian Strong, who was unclear if he’d play on Friday due to an injury, had a career high 151 receiving yards. 

But it was the mistake that cost the Scarlet Knights in the end, as Rutgers was called for six penalties on Friday at the expense of 50 yards. Rutgers kicker Jai Patel also missed two field goals, which included a 37-yarder in the second quarter that hit the upright after the scarlet Knights got pushed back after his first attempt was negated due to a delay of game penalty. 

A 29-yard kick attempt by Patel in the third quarter was blocked. 

If anyone had been expecting a low-scoring affair, they were sorely mistaken, as the Hawkeyes and Scarlet Knights combined for 42 points through the first half alone and traded touchdowns through the first 30 minutes of the game. 

The night did not start well for Rutgers as they watched Kaden Wetjen return the opening kickoff 100 yards to give Iowa the early lead and seemingly sucking the air out of SHI Stadium and the sold-out crowd occupying it. But the Scarlet Knights didn’t trail for long. 

Kaliakmanis orchestrated a six-play, 75-yard drive that included a 40-yard pass to DT Sheffield and ended with a 5-yard run by Antwan Raymond for the tying touchdown. 

The Scarlet Knights took their first lead of the night after a big defensive stop on the Hawkeyes’ second drive of the game, and Kaliakmanis marched the Rutgers offense down the field and ran the ball four yards for his first of two touchdown rushes of the night. 

That’s when the shootout really began, with Iowa running back Kamari Moulton rushing for a touchdown to tie the game at 14, and Kaliakmanis gave Rutgers the lead, 21-14, after making his way over the goal line with the Scarlet Knights breaking out the tush push early in the second quarter. 

Gronowski tied the game back up with eight minutes left in the half on a two-yard rush of his own.