Tag: Mayan Ahanotu

Rutgers football is expecting a lot of red for the Pinstripe Bowl: ‘It’s going to be a home game’

Rutgers football is expecting a big turnout for the Pinstripe Bowl this week.

It should be a strong turnout on Thursday for Rutgers football in the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl. In fact, there is some buzz among the team that the game against Miami at Yankee Stadium will look and feel like a Rutgers home game.

This is the first time that Rutgers has outright been bowl-eligible since 2014, giving a certain sense of anticipation for this game. The return to bowl eligibility after a 6-6 (3-5 Big Ten) season is no small accomplishment for a rebuilding team.

Especially considering they played the second-toughest schedule in the nation.

With the Pinstripe Bowl (Bronx, New York) being the closest bowl game geographically,  there should be a certain advantage for Rutgers in this game. Scarlet Knights fans won’t have to travel far for this game.

It is roughly an hour drive from SHI Stadium to Yankee Stadium,  and with much of the Rutgers football fanbase in north Jersey, that trip could be even less. Trips on NJ Transit and the PATH offer fans mass transportation options if they don’t want to drive.

[lawrence-related id=33383,33344]

All of which means that there are really no excuses for Rutgers fans to not turn out for what is essentially an eighth home game this season.

“I think it’s just overall excitement. I think it’s going to be a big and great turnout for a lot of ‘Rutgers Nation’ to come out, and it’s going to be like a home game,” running back Kyle Monangai said last week during a press conference for the Pinstripe Bowl.

“It’s real close for us, and hopefully — I think we’re the away team, but it’s going to feel like a home game for us, definitely.”

Even though it is a baseball stadium, there is a certain allure in playing at Yankee Stadium. Arguably the most high-profile sporting venue in New York City, the stadium has a long history of college and professional football dating back to the original venue (which was finished in 1923).

[lawrence-related id=33369,33363]

Defensive tackle Mayan Ahanotu said that he is looking forward to the whole experience of playing in New York City, especially during the holidays.

“That’s awesome. It’s definitely going to be a thrill just being able to be there around Christmastime and all the New York lights and everything like that,” Ahanotu said.

“It’s going to be a really fun time.”

Watch: Mayan Ahanotu recovers a fumble for Rutgers football

Rutgers football got a big first half play from Mayan Ahanotu.

Rutgers was able to do a solid job in the first half at Penn State, limiting the Nittany Lions and even creating a turnover. Late in the second quarter, Rutgers got a big turnover when Mayan Ahanotu fell on a forced fumble.

The play was a big one for Rutgers. The fumble by running back Nicholas Singleton came at a time when Penn State was seizing the momentum of the game.

With 4:45 left in the second quarter, defensive back [autotag]Shaquan Loyal[/autotag] stepped in and ripped the ball out of Singleton’s hands. Ahanotu recovered the football on the Rutgers 36-yard line.

For Ahanotu, it was his first fumble recovery of the season and his collegiate career.

 

Rutgers was unable to capitalize on the turnover as they went three-and-out on the ensuing possession.

[lawrence-related id=32187,32184]

It was still a very solid first half for Rutgers football, as they went into halftime down 10-6.  Since joining the Big Ten, Rutgers has not beaten Penn State.

Rutgers football: When will Mayan Ahanotu be back?

Mayan Ahanotu is expected to return to the field soon for Rutgers.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. —  Mayan Ahanotu was held out on Saturday with an injury, and Rutgers football head coach Greg Schiano believes that the defensive tackle can and should be back soon.

Rutgers (6-3, 3-3 Big Ten) is at Iowa (4-2 Big Ten) on Saturday. Iowa is coming off a win at Northwestern and has now won four of their last five games.

Ahanotu did not play on Saturday but Schiano thinks that the Iowa game is a distinct possibility for a return. The defensive tackle has 11 total tackles on the season.

“He was not available Saturday,” Schiano said on Monday during his weekly press conference.

“I think he will be available this Saturday, which is good because he’s a leader and a big part of our defense.”

In his stead, Isiah Iton stepped up for Rutgers.

[lawrence-related id=31825,31844]

A transfer from Ole Miss, Iton tied a season-high with five tackles in the game on Saturday against No. 1 Ohio State. Iton has 24 total tackles on the season.

“He came from Ole Miss – they play a little different style. They are more of a two-gap, 3-4 team most of the time, at least on early downs,” Schiano said on Monday during his weekly press conference.

“So it’s been a transition for Isaiah for sure. He keeps getting better, slowly, but he’s progressing. We play a lot of people in the front, as you know, and rotate. But playing single-gap control defense is a lot different than playing two-gap. He’s learning and getting better at it every week.”

For Rutgers football, it was more than just big plays. It was a culture that won out

Culture won out for Rutgers football on Saturday.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. — For two veteran players on the Rutgers football roster, Saturday’s win over Michigan State was especially meaningful. While Johnny Langan and Mayan Ahanotu took different paths to Rutgers, both understood the significance of Saturday’s win for this program.

At the beginning of the fourth quarter, more than just the season was on the line for Rutgers. Yes, Saturday’s game was one of those winnable games that the Scarlet Knights need if they are to be bowl-eligible in this all-important fourth year of head coach Greg Schiano’s return to the program.

But had Rutgers lost on Saturday, it could well have been the end of this rebuild. Down 24-6 to a peer program in the Big Ten, it isn’t unfair to say that the vision for the program could have come crashing down.

Hope could have been lost on Saturday. In fact, with only several thousand fans left inside SHI Stadium, many had potentially stopped believing.

Those on the Rutgers sideline never stopped believing either.

***

Johnny Langan came to Rutgers five years ago, his time predating the arrival of Schiano to rebuild his original rebuild. He became the starting quarterback for Rutgers in 2019 after head coach Chris Ash was relieved of his duties just five games into the season. Langan has been here for some of the lowest moments in program history.

[lawrence-related id=31148,31142]

Moments that lend some clarity and appreciation for what he experienced on Saturday in a 27-24 win over Michigan State.

“I mean, this is probably the best win of my career here at Rutgers,” Langan said after the game.

“So I’m really really happy about that. You know, I’m going to enjoy this…we got the 24-hour rule. So I’m going to enjoy this win for the next 24 hours and then we’re on to the next one.”

Langan, a transfer from Boston College, has bought completely into Schiano’s culture. When asked by Schiano to switch positions from quarterback to tight end, he embraced the idea of becoming ‘Johnny Offense.’

 

The culture is so important to Langan that while his teammates celebrated in the end zone on Saturday afternoon, he stood and screamed for the celebratory music to stop so the team could sing the alma mater.

[lawrence-related id=31132,31091]

Like Langan, the journey to Rutgers for Ahanotu began elsewhere. A transfer addition from Minnesota, Ahanotu was a rotational player at his previous stop but has become a big factor in the heart of the Rutgers defense.

He too has bought into Schiano’s message and culture in the rebuilding of a program that hasn’t had a winning season since 2014.

“Definitely 100 percent -I mean every single player in this program has built this place – I’m saying built and came in here and bought in with the culture. And then with wins like this …it just shows you that the ‘CHOP’ is ours, man. It is our culture and we built this and it’s going to be long-lasting,” Ahanotu said.

“We’re trained for adversity. You know, this is what the whole culture is built off of. Just whenever you hit adversity, you got to keep chopping. You got to just do what you can do, control the controllables and so that’s what we did.”

Born and raised in New Jersey, this win was special for Langan. Not only did the team take a massive step towards bowl eligibility, but the improbable and unlikely comeback win underscored that the culture at Rutgers is what sets this rebuild apart from the two previous coaching staffs.

[lawrence-related id=31145]

Langan gave up more than anyone else for this culture.

As the team’s quarterback to close out the final eight games of the 2019 season, it isn’t easy to willingly hand over the glamour of the sport’s most iconic position for the unheralded role of being a tight end.

But for Langan, it is all about the culture. And moments like Saturday, as the team finished with the alma mater, are ones he will not forget.

***

 

With the team gathered around him and the last notes of the band fading away into the gloom and rain of an autumnal afternoon in central New Jersey, Langan didn’t even pause.

In one motion, as his teammates finished the last words of the alma mater, Langan raised the team’s axe over his head. Symbolic of the mantra to keep chopping, he drove the axe into the end zone.

The point was not lost on Langan. His team had just chopped a game to victory that appeared lost. Culture had won out on Saturday.

The final chop was done for the day.

“I mean, wins like this are extremely important to us. You know, to be able to come back from a deficit like that really proves our culture,” Langan said.

“It’s all about F.A.M.I.L.Y. – ‘Forget About Me I Love You’ – you know, ‘Trust’ and ‘CHOP’ and then that’s what we did today. We just chopped when we were down, we didn’t look up to the scoreboard. You know, we just looked at every single play, and we just did our job and we chopped our job and that’s exactly what we’re about here.”

Rutgers football defensive lineman Mayan Ahanotu named semifinalist for Campbell Trophy

Rutgers football defensive lineman Mayan Ahanotu named semifinalist for Campbell Trophy.

Over the last few years, Mayan Ahanotu has become an essential piece of the Rutgers defense. Since setting foot on campus in 2020, the Tampa native has appeared in 38 games. On Wednesday, he made headlines as Ahanotu was named a semifinalist for the 2023 William V. Campbell Trophy.

The award represents Ahanotu’s impact off the gridiron. It is given each year to the player seen as the best football scholar-athlete in the nation. The award highlights the player’s academic success, football performance, and exemplary leadership. Ahanotu is also a two-time captain of the Scarlet Knights.

His accomplishments in the classroom make Ahanotu more than deserving. He earned his undergraduate degree in May as an information technology and informatics major and entrepreneurship minor. He is currently working towards a master’s degree in labor studies and employment relations. Last year, the three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree claimed a spot on the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team.

 

Ahanotu has made a difference on the field with 47 total tackles in 38 games. He has also recorded 3.5 sacks and forced one fumble. The Berkeley Prep is off to one of the best starts of his career, with eight tackles in four games.

[lawrence-related id=30502,30500]

To be eligible for the Campbell Trophy, a student-athlete must be a senior or graduate student in their last year of playing eligibility. They must also have a GPA of at least 3.2, an outstanding football ability as a first-team player or significant contributor and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship.

Four Scarlet Knights make Phil Steele preseason All- Big Ten list

Four Rutgers players make the Phil Steele All-Big Ten team.

With football season quickly approaching, anticipation is building for what the fall will bring. On Monday, Rutgers football earned special recognition as four players were named to the Phil Steele Preseason All-Big Ten teams list.

The list includes DB Max Melton earning second-team honors, LB Deion Jennings earning third-team honors, and both DL Mayan Ahanotu and LB Tyreem Powel earning fourth-team honors. This group will play a critical role in Rutgers success in 2023, starting with Melton, who is entering his junior year. 

Melton was a force on defense and special teams during the 2022 campaign. He added ten pass breakups to his resume while leading the nation in blocked punts with three. He also ranked seventh in the Big Ten in passes defended per game (1.0) while appearing in all 12 games.

Like Melton, Jennings created problems for opponents every time he stepped on the field. The talented linebacker recorded a team-high 91 tackles, 8.5 of which were for a loss. He also had six pass breakups. Due to his play, Jennings won the Homer Hazel Award as the team’s most valuable player.

[lawrence-related id=27735]

Just like in years past, Ahanotu was a model of consistency. He has played in 34 straight games and totaled 39 tackles in that span. As Ahanotu continued to be a reliable presence on the defensive line, he was named a team captain in 2022.

Rounding out the list is Powell, who had four pass breakups in 12 games last year. The New Jersey also recorded 71 tackles, including six for a loss. As the talented linebacker saw an increase in playing time, he made the most of his opportunities.

During the 2023 campaign, wins will not come easy for Rutgers. They have one of the most challenging schedules in college football. However, with this talented quartet back for another season, the Scarlet Knights should be an intriguing team to watch.

[lawrence-related id=27795,27784]

Greg Schiano on the importance of spring football: ‘Every offseason is critical’

Greg Schiano believes his team will need to be a developmental program.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. — If Rutgers football is going to compete in the Big Ten, then they will need to be the kind of program that finds and develops talent. For head coach Greg Schiano, this is a priority for his staff and makes the offseason of critical importance.

As Rutgers football hits the midway point of their spring schedule and with two weeks until the annual spring game, Schiano was able to reflect on the offseason so far. With Saturday representing the first scrimmage of the spring season, Schiano was able to show on the field just what he meant when he says that Rutgers will be a developmental program.

The idea is that Schiano will need to recruit players and coach them up if Rutgers is going to compete with the upper-echelon teams in the Big Ten.

“It means that a guy like Tyreem Powell who played the season in between 220 to 25 and now he’s practicing at 235. So that’s an extra 10 pounds…eight pounds of muscle that when he hits somebody, they feel it,” Schiano said on Saturday.

“A guy like Mayan Ahanotu, worked hard, got his body in great shape, and it’s a good 295 now so those are critical improvements. And when you get stronger, you put that weight on and your body fat stays the same or even goes down, that means you have more lean muscle mass that should help in the trenches. So all that stuff – that’s why as a developmental program, every offseason is critical. And when a guy misses an offseason due to injury or surgery, it really sets him behind.”

Powell has been talked about a couple of time by Schiano as the junior linebacker is looking to build on last season. In 2022, Powell was impressive with 70 total tackles, three sacks and four passes defended.

[lawrence-related id=25963]

Schiano also cited the example of Deion Jennings, who had a massive season last year for Rutgers and is looking to build on that this senior season.

It was a breakout 2022 for Jennings, who posted career-highs in tackles (91), tackles for loss (8.85) passes defended (6) and sacks (1). In his previous three seasons at Rutgers, Jennings totaled 65 tackles.

He was hurt in the 2020 season and Schiano said that it took till last year to see his linebacker begin to produce.

“You know that happened to Deion. If you think back, that shoulder surgery totally put him behind. It took a whole year before he was able to get those games,” Schiano said.

“And then you saw the season he had last year and he’s just now picked up, he’s moving forward from where he was. So for the developmental program, every offseason is critical. And that’s what we are, we are a developmental program.”

[lawrence-related id=25947]

Mayan Ahanotu is splitting his focus this week between Hurricane Ian and Ohio State

Mayan Ahanotu talks about playing on Saturday while tracking Hurricane Ian.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Mayan Ahanotu is one of several Rutgers football players from the Tampa area who is having to focus not just on this weekend’s game at Ohio State but also the events unfolding in his home state.

With Hurricane Ian bearing down on Florida this week, Ahanotu has been actively engaged with family and friends in making sure everyone is safe and healthy. Currently a Category 3 storm, Ian put much of Florida under water.

For Ahanotu, a team captain, it has meant that a week already busy getting ready for No. 3 Ohio State on Saturday afternoon has forced the defensive lineman to also check-in regularly with his family from the Tampa area.

“I mean, I just really pray for my friends and family back home. When I come on the practice field, I just got to put my thoughts in the CHOP box and then practice as hard as I can,” Ahanotu said. “And then when I come back home – get home off the practice field – I got to call up my family members check in and check in with them, make sure they’re doing okay.”

The CHOP box is a red box right near the entrance to the team’s practice fields. When players walk onto the field, they symbolically drop their thoughts into the box so that they can focus on practice.

[lawrence-related id=19306]

The idea is that the events of the day, from class work to family and friends, gets left in the box and the singular focus is on the preparation for the weekend’s game.

When practice is over and players are walking back to the Hale Center, they will pick up their symbolic thoughts from the CHOP box. Ahanotu walked off the field after his Wednesday media availability, putting his left hand in the CHOP box to reclaim his thoughts from they day.

Surely, those thoughts include his family.

[lawrence-related id=19336]

As for Ahanotu and his family, the Rutgers senior said “So far, so good.”

[mm-video type=video id=01ge316hggxsbwn188mf playlist_id=none player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01ge316hggxsbwn188mf/01ge316hggxsbwn188mf-01881f67b697d11845552f6adb552a0f.jpg]

Rutgers football named team captains for 2022 season

Rutgers football announced the captains for the 2022 season

Rutgers football is relying on a veteran core to provide a lift both on the field for what is still a young and rebuilding team. After a team vote Wednesday, six players will be leading the Scarlet Knights as captains for the 2022 season.

The choices shouldn’t and weren’t a surprise to anyone following this program over the previous two seasons. Each selection has been with Rutgers for at least one season and the group of captains features multiple super seniors.

Quarterback Noah Vedral, tight end Johnny Langan, wide receiver Shameen Jones, defensive lineman Mayan Ahanotu, defensive back Avery Young, and punter Adam Korsak were voted by their teammates to lead the Scarlet Knights into Saturday’s season opener.

Both Korsak and Vedral are used to this honor as both were voted captain last season. The Australia-born punter is now a captain for the third time during his career – the second three-time captain in program history.

That means there are four players who are brand new captains.

Ahanotu is entering his third season with the Scarlet Knights. He has played in 22 games, starting in 10, over the last two seasons and was recently named to the Shrine Bowl 1000.

Jones is now in his sixth season with the program, accumulating 26 starts at receiver in 44 games. He has 86 career receptions for 882 yards.

[lawrence-related id=18028]

Langan has been a jack-of-all-trades for the Scarlet Knights – seeing snaps at running back, receiver/tight end, and even some snaps at quarterback. He was named Rutgers’ MVP for the Gator Bowl last season after hauling in 57 receiving yards, rushing for another 20, and dropping in two completions for 21 yards.

[lawrence-related id=17631]

Young has provided versatility for the defense, moving from cornerback to safety last season. The move paid off as he finished second on the team with 81 tackles. He has been on the field for over 3000 snaps.

Last year’s captains:

  • LB Olakunle Fatukasi
  • P Adam Korsak
  • WR Bo Melton
  • RB Isiah Pacheco
  • DL Julius Turner
  • QB Noah Vedral

[mm-video type=playlist id=01fc3gzhz7qrm49z6q player_id=none image=https://rutgerswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Rutgers football: Mayan Ahanotu named to Wuerffel Trophy watch list

Rutgers football’s Mayan Ahanotu was named to the Wuerffel Trophy watch list, honoring his efforts off the field

Rutgers football Mayan Ahanotu, linebacker for the Scarlet Knights, was named to the watch list for the Wuerffel Trophy. The trophy was established in 2005. It honors college football athletes who are serving others, while also achieving greatness on the football field and in the classroom.  As part of the National Football Federation’s Collegiate Awards, it was the first major award honoring the character of service to others.

IN the community, Ahanotu has been active within an initiative at Rutgers called Chop4Change. It was created to spread a message of unity and equality. Ahanotu said through a press release:

“It’s really awesome. I love our #Chop4Change program. It’s really about how we can impact our community right now. We’re just going to do all we can do for all the people in all our communities that we can affect right now.”

Some activities have included participating in the opening ceremonies for Special Olympics New Jersey and the Rutgers Dance Marathon. In addition, Ahanotu has been a weekly mentor for the Middlesex Juvenile Detention Center, leading sessions with young men who are incarcerated.

[lawrence-related id=17481]

The third year Scarlet Knight was named to the Academic All-Big Ten team in both 2019 and 2021. He appeared in all 13 of the team’s games last season, starting in nine – including the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl. Ahanotu finished last season with 18 total tackles, one sack, and a forced fumble.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01fc3gzhz7qrm49z6q player_id=none image=https://rutgerswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]