Rutgers takes down Howard 58-7; Scarlet Knights earn first win of 2026

PISCATAWAY, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 25: Antwan Raymond #3 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights carries the ball for a touchdown against the Howard Bison during the first quarter at SHI Stadium on September 25, 2026 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Caean Couto/Getty Images) | Getty Images After falling to 0-3 to start the season, Rutgers earned its first win of the season in a dominant 58-7 win over Howard. The Scarlet Knights carved up the Bison through the air and on the ground, earning 534 yards of total offense in Greg Schiano’s 100th win as head coach.

class="wp-block-paragraph">Rutgers jumped out to a lead early in this game and never looked back, scoring two touchdowns before five minutes of game time passed. Howard would score its only points of the game late in the first quarter, off of a 75-yard run from running back Eden James. From then on, Rutgers would score 37 unanswered points to cap off the rout.

class="wp-block-paragraph">Rutgers’ quarterbacks had their best performance of the season, as Dylan Lonergan completed 12 out of 17 passes for 214 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. AJ Surace threw 7 passes late in the game, completing three for 40 yards and tossing one touchdown and no interceptions. Sean Ashenfelder completed the only pass he threw for 14 yards.

class="wp-block-paragraph">The Knights’ rushing attack flexed its muscles, with Antwan Raymond rushing for 140 yards on 16 carries for three touchdowns. Clay Thevenin added 69 yards on 16 carries and a touchdown.

class="wp-block-paragraph">KJ Duff broke a Rutgers football record, recording his fifth straight game with a receiving touchdown off a 77-yard pass from Lonergan. Duff totaled five catches for 131 yards. Jourdin Houston added 50 yards on three catches, while Ben Black and Vernon Allen both recorded at least one catch and a touchdown.

class="wp-block-paragraph">Rutgers’ defense also had its best performance of the season, recording four sacks, nine tackles for loss, two interceptions, and one fumble recovery. Bradlee Jones grabbed both interceptions for the Knights, while both Rondo Porter and Keshon Griffin recorded solo sacks for the Knights. Moses Walker led the team in both tackles (five) and tackles for loss (2.5).

class="wp-block-paragraph">Even though it came against a vastly weaker opponent, a dominating, mistake-free win is always nice to see, especially since the schedule will get much harder from here on out as Big Ten play reopens against No.5 Indiana next week.

class="wp-block-paragraph">Rutgers vs Indiana will kick off at 8 p.m. at SHI Stadium on Saturday, October 3. The game will be both the annual homecoming game and blackout game for Rutgers. Live coverage will be available on the Big Ten Network.