SCOTTSDALE, Arizona – Rematch has come.
Rutgers (7-5, 4-5) faces Kansas State (8-4, 5-4) in the Rate Bowl at Chase Field on Thursday night. It is the second time the Scarlet Knights have faced the Wildcats and their second trip to this particular bowl game.
It’s a full-circle moment for coach Greg Schiano, who earned a bid to the same game — then called the Insight Bowl — during the 2005 season, snapping a 27-year drought at Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights fell to Arizona State in a 45-40 thriller at Chase Field, the final game before their 2006 season.
At the end of that campaign, the Scarlet Knights faced Kansas State in the Texas Bowl in one of the most 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 rushed for 170 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries in that game, and while Wildcats head coach Chris Klieman was a long way from his Manhattan coaching days at that point, he heard talk a lot since he took the helm five years ago. .
“We have some people who never leave here, so some of those people talked a lot about that game,” Klieman said at the Rate Bowl’s media day. “Some of the guys that are with us, they’re thinking about Ray Rice because I think he screwed us over a while ago.”
Will another Scarlet Knight (or Wildcat) make their mark in their second meeting?
Before you find out, here’s what you need to know about the matchup:
On the field
Rutgers-Kansas State picks, predictions: Who will win the Rate Bowl?
Scouting report on Kansas State, Rutgers football’s Rate Bowl opponent
Will Rutgers senior Kyle Monangai 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 set the race? Rutgers, Kansas State know their ways to victory
Outside the camp
How Rutgers football left its mark in Arizona before playing in the Rate Bowl
Player
Tyreem Powell wants to bet on himself one last time as his Rutgers career winds down
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Patrick Lanni can be reached plans@njadvancemedia.com.
Brian Fonseca can be reached at bfonseca@njadvancemedia.com.
