PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Michael Vick’s first game as a head coach against an FBS opponent resulted in a relatively predictable loss as Rutgers routed Norfolk State 60-10 Saturday.
The way the Scarlet Knights scored their first two touchdowns was far from predictable, though: blocked punts that turned into first-quarter TDs.
Kevon King rushed for 56 yards and the only TD (a 25-yarder) for the Spartans (1-2) on seven carries. Evan Helfrich kicked a 34-yard field goal for NSU’s other points.
X’Zavion Evans added eight rushes for 52 yards, and DreSean Kendrick made three catches for 48 yards.
Otto Kuhns got his first start of the season at quarterback, completing 8 of 20 for 90 yards but being intercepted once. Izzy Carter, who had started the first two games, played sparingly in relief.
Rutgers (3-0), which hasn’t lost a regular-season nonconference game since 2019, got lots of players in the game.
Antwan Raymond ran for two touchdowns and 79 yards on 16 carries, starting quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis was 18 of 26 for 309 yards and a TD, and backup QB AJ Surace threw a pair of TD passes. The Scarlet Knights amassed 563 yards of offense.
Norfolk State managed just 220 total yards, and Rutgers scored on six of its first seven possessions. Rutgers has scored at least 30 points in seven straight games — a program record — going back to last season.
The Spartans have been outscored 251-23 in their five losses to Rutgers since 2007.
This was the 16th time Rutgers has blocked multiple punts in one game during Schiano’s regime. Rutgers leads the nation in blocked punts since 2022 with 13.
Rutgers was without its leading wide receiver, junior Ian Strong. He was listed as out with no additional information. Kaliakmanis compensated by targeting seven receivers, including KJ Duff, who caught six passes for a career-high 119 yards.
Next
Norfolk State hosts Sacred Heart on Sept. 20 at Dick Price Stadium.
Rutgers hosts Iowa on Sept. 19 to open its Big Ten schedule.
https://www.dailypress.com/2025/09/13/rutgers-romps-past-norfolk-state/
