Overview

Friday night's action features a Big10 season opener for the Scarlet Knights matching up against the Iowa  Hawkeyes. For the second straight year, Rutgers rolls into Blackout Night with a perfect 3-0 record under 15 year Head Coach Greg Schiano.

Rutgers

Deep into the Greg Schiano era, the Scarlet Knights first season test starts on Friday who had a 2024 campaign which featured the most Big10 wins in program history.

Athan Kaliakmanis has come out strong: over 820 passing yards and 7 touchdowns through three games, with no interceptions. The second-year Rutgers quarterback has brought both stability and maturity to the offense, commanding the huddle with poise and making smart decisions under pressure. With Ian Strong emerging as a go-to target on the outside and Antwan Raymond contributing in the ground game, the Scarlet Knights have found a rhythm that’s difficult to disrupt.

The Rutgers defense will look to lock down an Iowa offense that currently ranks last in the Big Ten in passing yards. Knowing Iowa’s strength lies in the run game, the Scarlet Knights will likely load the box and dare the Hawkeyes to beat them through the air. Expect aggressive play from the front seven, with linebackers crashing gaps and the defensive line focused on clogging interior lanes. If Rutgers can stop the run early and force Iowa into uncomfortable passing situations, it plays directly into the Scarlet Knights’ hands. With solid tackling and discipline on the back end, Rutgers has the tools to frustrate an Iowa offense that thrives on rhythm and ball control.

Iowa

Iowa’s offense isn’t flashy, but it’s effective when it stays true to its identity. Expect the Hawkeyes to focus on establishing the run early and using it to control the pace of the game.  If the run game is working, Iowa can open things up with play-action and short, safe passes. Their goal will be to stay ahead of the chains and avoid putting too much pressure on the quarterback.

Defensively, Iowa will look to dictate terms by shutting down the run and forcing Rutgers to pass. They’ll aim to keep everything in front of them and eliminate big plays. With a solid front and a smart secondary, Iowa will try to frustrate Rutgers into mistakes.