Rutgers will face Akron on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey.

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What you need to know:

What: Big 10 Football

Who: Rutgers vs. Akron

When: Saturday, September 7, 2024 (9/7/24)

Where: SHI Stadium

Time: 1:00 p.m. ET

TV: Big Ten Network

Station finder: Verizon Fios, AT&T U-Vers, Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum/Charter, Optimum/Altice,Helmsman,DIRECTV, Court, Hulu, fuboTV, loop.

Live stream: fuboTV (free trial)

AP College Football History:

Akron (0-1) at Rutgers (1-0), Saturday, 12:00 p.m. ET (BTN)

BetMGM College Football Odds: Rutgers 23 1/2.

Series record: Rutgers 1-0.

What is it about?

The Zips haven’t had a winning season since 2015 and have a 4-21 record over the last two seasons under coach Joe Moorhead. Rutgers has insisted this is the season it takes its next step in the Big Ten, so this is a game it can’t lose. Despite a slow start last week against Howard, the Scarlet Knights won 44-7. The only negative was the feedback Rutgers coach Greg Schiano got after the game for scoring a touchdown on the final play of the game.

Important duel

Rutgers defense against Akron. The Scarlet Knights were in the top 20 in the country in defense last season and showed no signs of slowing down last week. Rutgers limited Howard to 261 yards and allowed just a single point. Despite having the ball for nearly 34 minutes against Ohio State, Akron was limited to 177 yards, a 2.8-yard average.

Players in focus

Akron: QB Ben Finley. The redshirt junior started last weekend’s 52-6 loss to No. 2 Ohio State and was forced to leave the field in the second half while holding onto his midsection. He completed 8 of 14 passes for 52 yards with one interception. His replacement is Tahj Bullock, who grew up in East Orange, New Jersey. This will be a homecoming for him. He led the Zips with 42 rushing yards on 14 carries and completed 9 of 13 passes for 68 yards. Schiano said he expects Finley to play.

Rutgers: QB Athan Kaliakmanis. The transfer from Minnesota set a career-high with three touchdown passes in his Scarlet Knights debut. He completed 15 passes for 147 and found eight different receivers. He also ran for 43 yards. The three TD passes were the most by a Scarlet Knight since Noah Vedral had that many against Michigan in 2020.

Facts and figures

Rutgers is looking for its fourth straight 2-0 start. … In their only meeting, the Scarlet Knights beat Akron 20-17 in 1990. ,,, Rutgers has won eight straight nonconference games and 12 of its last 13. The Scarlet Knights have a 51-20 overall record in such games under Schiano. … Rutgers has a 14-1 record without a turnover since 2020. There was none against Howard. … Akron has not had a winning season since 2015, when it went 8-5.