Five takeaways from Rutgers’ victory in the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl
On Thursday, Rutgers football (7-6) defeated the Miami Hurricanes (7-6), 31-24, in the 2023 Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl. It marks the program’s seventh bowl win all-time and the sixth under head coach Greg Schiano (6-2).
The Scarlet Knights trailed in the third quarter, 17-14, with a little over 10 minutes remaining. But they would score 17 unanswered points to clinch their first winning season since 2014.
Congratulations to @RFootball, winner of the George M. Steinbrenner III Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl Championship Trophy 🏆
And a special congratulations to RB Kyle Monangai for earning @PinstripeBowl MVP honors 👏 pic.twitter.com/BIw6sv3YU9
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) December 28, 2023
Rutgers junior running back Kyle Monangai would capture the game’s MVP trophy after finishing the game with 25 carries for 163 yards and a touchdown. Monangai recorded his seventh 100-yard rushing game against Miami and would finish the season with 1,262 rushing yards. Rutgers would go on to outgain the Hurricanes by 78 yards on the ground.
Rutgers’ victory on Thursday marks their first victory over the Hurricanes in 12 matchups. Below are the five takeaways from Rutgers’ 31-24 victory in the Pinstripe Bowl.
NCAA Football: Pinstripe Bowl-Rutgers at Miami
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; Endzone pylon pictured at Yankee Stadium before the 2023 Pinstripe…
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; Endzone pylon pictured at Yankee Stadium before the 2023 Pinstripe Bowl game between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Miami Hurricanes. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Pinstripe Bowl-Rutgers at Miami
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano speaks with defensive…
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano speaks with defensive back Shaquan Loyal (6) before the game against the Miami Hurricanes at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Pinstripe Bowl-Rutgers at Miami
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; A view of the helmet worn by Rutgers Scarlet Knights…
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; A view of the helmet worn by Rutgers Scarlet Knights place kicker Jai Patel (not pictured) before the 2023 Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium against the Miami Hurricanes. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Pinstripe Bowl-Rutgers at Miami
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; The Rutgers Scarlet Knights mascot, Sir Henry, performs before the…
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; The Rutgers Scarlet Knights mascot, Sir Henry, performs before the 2023 Pinstripe Bowl between the Scarlet Knights and the Miami Hurricanes at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Pinstripe Bowl-Rutgers at Miami
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano and players run…
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano and players run on to the field before the 2023 Pinstripe Bowl against Miami Hurricanes at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Pinstripe Bowl-Rutgers at Miami
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Samuel Brown V (27) carries…
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Samuel Brown V (27) carries the ball as Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Jacob Lichtenstein (55) pursues during the first half of the 2023 Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Pinstripe Bowl-Rutgers at Miami
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Samuel Brown V (27) is…
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Samuel Brown V (27) is tackled by defensive back Jaden Davis (22) during the first half of the 2023 Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Pinstripe Bowl-Rutgers at Miami
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai (5) carries the…
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai (5) carries the ball during the first half of the 2023 Pinstripe Bowl against the Miami Hurricanes at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Pinstripe Bowl-Rutgers at Miami
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai (5) celebrates his…
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai (5) celebrates his touchdown run with offensive lineman Reggie Sutton (70) during the first half of the 2023 Pinstripe Bowl against the Miami Hurricanes at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Pinstripe Bowl-Rutgers at Miami
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai (5) celebrates his…
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai (5) celebrates his touchdown run with offensive lineman Reggie Sutton (70) during the first half of the 2023 Pinstripe Bowl against the Miami Hurricanes at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Pinstripe Bowl-Rutgers at Miami
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; The Rutgers Scarlet Knights band performs during the first half…
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; The Rutgers Scarlet Knights band performs during the first half of the 2023 Pinstripe Bowl against the Miami Hurricanes at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Pinstripe Bowl-Rutgers at Miami
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Jacurri Brown (11) scores a touchdown in…
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Jacurri Brown (11) scores a touchdown in front of defensive back Flip Dixon (10) during the first half of the 2023 Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Pinstripe Bowl-Rutgers at Miami
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai (5) celebrates a…
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai (5) celebrates a touchdown during the first quarter against Miami Hurricanes at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Pinstripe Bowl-Rutgers at Miami
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; Miami Hurricanes running back Mark Fletcher Jr. (22) dives for…
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; Miami Hurricanes running back Mark Fletcher Jr. (22) dives for a first down during the first quarter against Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Pinstripe Bowl-Rutgers at Miami
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights quarterback Gavin Wimsatt (2) passes the ball…
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights quarterback Gavin Wimsatt (2) passes the ball chased by Miami Hurricanes linebacker Francisco Mauigoa (51) during the second quarter at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Pinstripe Bowl-Rutgers at Miami
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive back Markeith Williams (15) and Miami Hurricanes…
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive back Markeith Williams (15) and Miami Hurricanes defensive back Jadais Richard (25) react to a missed field goal by Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the second quarter at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Pinstripe Bowl-Rutgers at Miami
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights wide receiver Famah Toure (1) runs with…
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights wide receiver Famah Toure (1) runs with the ball after a catch chased by Miami Hurricanes defensive back Jaden Davis (22) during the second quarter at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Pinstripe Bowl-Rutgers at Miami
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights quarterback Gavin Wimsatt (2) looks to pass…
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights quarterback Gavin Wimsatt (2) looks to pass the ball against the Miami Hurricanes during the second quarter at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Pinstripe Bowl-Rutgers at Miami
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights quarterback Gavin Wimsatt (2) catches the snap…
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights quarterback Gavin Wimsatt (2) catches the snap during the second quarter against the Miami Hurricanes at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Pinstripe Bowl-Rutgers at Miami
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights wide receiver Nasir Montgomery (13) runs with…
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights wide receiver Nasir Montgomery (13) runs with the ball after a catch against the Miami Hurricanes during the second quarter at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Pinstripe Bowl-Rutgers at Miami
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights wide receiver Nasir Montgomery (13) runs with…
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights wide receiver Nasir Montgomery (13) runs with the ball after a catch chased by Miami Hurricanes defensive back Jaden Davis (22) during the second quarter at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Pinstripe Bowl-Rutgers at Miami
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai (5) runs for…
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai (5) runs for a touchdown during the second quarter chased by Miami Hurricanes linebacker Francisco Mauigoa (51) at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Pinstripe Bowl-Rutgers at Miami
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai (5) runs for…
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai (5) runs for a touchdown during the second quarter against Miami Hurricanes at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Pinstripe Bowl-Rutgers at Miami
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai (5) celebrates his…
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai (5) celebrates his touchdown against Miami Hurricanes during the second quarter with Rutgers Scarlet Knights wide receiver Isaiah Washington (14) at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Pinstripe Bowl-Rutgers at Miami
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai (5) celebrates his…
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai (5) celebrates his touchdown against Miami Hurricanes during the second quarter with Rutgers Scarlet Knights offensive lineman Bryan Felter (65) at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Pinstripe Bowl-Rutgers at Miami
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai (5) celebrates his…
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai (5) celebrates his touchdown against Miami Hurricanes during the second quarter with Rutgers Scarlet Knights wide receiver Isaiah Washington (14) at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Pinstripe Bowl-Rutgers at Miami
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai (5) celebrates his…
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai (5) celebrates his touchdown against Miami Hurricanes during the second quarter with Rutgers Scarlet Knights wide receiver Isaiah Washington (14) at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-USA TODAY Sports
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Quarterback Gavin Wimsatt did damage with his legs
The Scarlet Shove 🪓
Wimsatt plunges in for the touchdown!
28-17 Scarlet Knights with 11:51 left to play. @GavinWimsatt | #CHOP
— Rutgers Football (@RFootball) December 28, 2023
With only recording 84 yards through the air, Rutgers junior quarterback Gavin Wimsatt carried the Scarlet Knights’ offense on the ground. Against the Hurricanes, Wimsatt registered two rushing touchdowns while only completing seven passes on 15 attempts. The Scarlet Knights moved the ball on the ground throughout the game, being outgained by 97 yards through the air. The Owensboro, Kentucky native didn’t have to carry the Rutgers’ offense through the air but had to take care of the football, which he did just that.
Junior running back Kyle Monangai rushed for his seventh 100-yard game
1️⃣6️⃣3️⃣ yards!
Kyle Monangai’s big day on the ground ranks fourth in @RFootball bowl game history. 💥#B1Gstats x @kylemonangai pic.twitter.com/g6SZb4qoLT
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) December 28, 2023
The 2023 Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl MVP Kyle Monangai recorded his seventh 100-yard rushing game of the season. The former Don Bosco Prep prospect was the offensive star for the Scarlet Knight, finishing the 2023 season with 1,262 yards on 242 attempts and eight touchdowns. Against Miami, Monangai averaged 6.5 yards per carry and was the focal point in Rutgers’ offense.
Freshman linebacker Abram Wright recorded his first career interception
ALL GLORY TO GOD! https://t.co/GRcm8XSGwQ
— Abram Wright 🦇 (@Abramwright2) December 28, 2023
Rutgers freshman linebacker Abram Wright recorded his first career interception on Thursday. Wright made his Rutgers debut against Wagner this season, recording his first tackle. The Jacksonville, Florida native appeared in five of Rutgers’ 13 games within his first season with the program. While playing high school football at Fleming Island High School in Florida, Wright finished his senior season with 54 tackles, eight tackles-for-loss, five passes defended, two interceptions, and 1.5 sacks.
The Scarlet Knights forced multiple turnovers
We Block Kicks 🪓 pic.twitter.com/y7i6YqePjX
— Rutgers Football (@RFootball) December 29, 2023
Wright’s interception wasn’t the only turnover Rutgers would force in the Pinstripe Bowl. Rutgers’ special teams helped them regain the lead in the third quarter with a blocked punt and a scoop and score by Rutgers’ Timmy Ward (21-17). Also, Rutgers’ defense recorded a key stop in Maimi’s territory in the fourth quarter. The Hurricanes went for it on fourth-and-two from their 45-yard line when they were stopped by linebacker Deion Jennings for a loss, giving the Scarlet Knights a chance to extend their lead.
Rutgers controlled the time of possession
Shots from the first half 📸 pic.twitter.com/aMV2iQt5RH
— Rutgers Football (@RFootball) December 28, 2023
The Scarlet Knights controlled the time of possession in this matchup, recording 34:28 on offense compared to Miami’s 25:32. Rutgers’ offense converted 41.6 percent of their third-downs while holding the Hurricanes to a third-down conversion of 33.3 percent. Also, the Scarlet Knights converted their only fourth down attempt of the game and were perfect inside the red zone (4-4). Rutgers recorded 60 plays for 292 yards, averaging 4.9 yards per play against Miami.
