PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Kyle Monangai got Rutgers football up early, a 19-yard touchdown run putting the Big Ten team up 7-0 on Virginia Tech.
Monangai came into the game with 214 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns in two games.
On the second play from scrimmage, Virginia Tech quarterback Kyron Drones fumbled and the ball was recovered by Rutgers defensive lineman Wesley Bailey. The very next play saw Monangai take a handoff from quarterback Gavin Wimsatt.
Monangai evaded a tackler in the backfield, patiently bounced outside, cut back, found space and went into acceleration.
His touchdown gave Rutgers a very early lead over Virginia Tech, a team that nearly beat Purdue last weekend.
A picture perfect start for @kylemonangai and @RFootball. 🤩
📺: @BigTenNetwork pic.twitter.com/IEnZXi5370
— Rutgers On BTN (@RutgersOnBTN) September 16, 2023
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This has been a big step forward this season for Monangai, who had 445 rushing yards and two seasons in 2022. He has seen an increased workload as running back Sam Brown has been slowly getting more carries as he continues to gain strength from last year’s season-ending injury that cut short his promising freshman campaign.