SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The rematch has arrived.
Rutgers (7-5, 4-5) face Kansas State (8-4, 5-4) at the Rate Bowl in Chase Field on Thursday night. It marks the second time the Scarlet Knights face the Wildcats and their second trip to this particular bowl game.
It is a full-circle moment for head coach Greg Schiano, who earned a bid to the same game — then called the Insight Bowl — during the 2005 season, snapping a 27-year bowl drought at Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights fell to Arizona State in a 45-40 thriller at Chase Field, the final game before their breakout 2006 season.
At the end of that campaign, the Scarlet Knights faced Kansas State at the Texas Bowl in one of the more memorable games in program history. The Scarlet Knights crushed the Wildcats, 37-10, to earn the first bowl game victory in program history, tie their single-season wins record (11) and put the cherry on top of the greatest season in modern program history.
Rutgers legend Ray Rice ran for 170 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries in that game, and while Wildcats head coach Chris Klieman was far from his days coaching in Manhattan at that point, he has heard plenty about it since taking the helm five years ago.
“We have some people that never leave here, so some of those people have talked about that game a lot,” Klieman said at the Rate Bowl’s media day. “Some of the guys that are with us, they think of Ray Rice because I guess he torched us a while ago.”
Will another Scarlet Knight (or Wildcat) make their mark in their second meeting?
Before we find out, here is what you need to know about the matchup:
On the field
Rutgers Rant: Rate Bowl preview! Will Scarlet Knights beat Kansas State again in postseason rematch?
Rutgers-Kansas State picks, predictions: Who will win Rate Bowl?
Scouting report on Kansas State, Rutgers football’s Rate Bowl opponent
Will Kyle Monangai, Rutgers seniors participate in Rate Bowl? What Greg Schiano said
What Kansas State’s Chris Klieman said about Rutgers, Kyle Monangai’s absence for Rate Bowl
Observations from Rutgers football’s 1st Rate Bowl practice in Arizona
Kansas State’s speed may be Rutgers’ biggest Rate Bowl challenge
Rate Bowl 2024: Who will establish the run? Rutgers, Kansas State know their paths to victory
Off the field
How Rutgers football left its mark in Arizona before playing in Rate Bowl
Player
Tyreem Powell wants to bet on himself one last time as Rutgers career winds down
Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription.
Patrick Lanni may be reached at planni@njadvancemedia.com.
Brian Fonseca may be reached at bfonseca@njadvancemedia.com.
