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Rutgers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis arrived at Rutgers looking for a career resurgence. In the process, the Minnesota transfer has guided an offensive emergence for the Scarlet Knights. With the regular-season finale at Michigan State on Saturday at 3:30 p.
m. and a bowl game looming, Kaliakmanis has already posted one of the best statistical seasons for a Rutgers passer. Last week, Kaliakmanis passed Chris Laviano for the seventh-most passing yards in a season.
He’ll have a shot at cracking 2,700 passing yards the next two weeks, a total that has only been achieved by three other Rutgers quarterbacks — Ryan Hart, Mike Teel and Gary Nova. For Kaliakmanis, it has always been about progress. Kaliakmanis has been even better in the second half of the season and his last three games — accounting for nine total touchdowns to one interception with an average passer rating of 133.
6. This week, the Rutgers quarterback talked about that progress, moving on from last week’s devastating loss to No. 24 Illinois and provided a look ahead to this week’s Michigan State showdown in East Lansing, Michigan, which will be broadcast on FS1.
Question : What’s the mood been like as you try to turn the page from what happened last week (vs. Illinois) and look ahead to Michigan State? Kaliakmanis : “It’s exactly that: We moved on. We watched the film on Sunday but turned the page on to Michigan State because they’re a very good football team.
” Q : What do you see from Michigan State’s defense? Kaliakmanis : “They’re kind of what I expected. They’re detailed, big up front and move well. I think they’re just very good, and they execute what they do.
” Q : Can you give us a glimpse into your development? Kaliakmanis : I think my mindset is to get better and better each day. I haven’t thought about what my development looks like throughout the season, but I feel myself developing every day. That’s in practice.
That’s in the the film room or whatever the case may be, I feel like I’m always getting better. So that’s a question, really, I could answer after the season.” Q : You had your best game on the ground last weekend.
Can you speak to that success you had? Kaliakmanis : “I’ve always felt like I could run when I needed to. That’s always an option. I can make plays on my feet, too, if needed.
” Q: What stands out about running back Kyle Monangai? Kaliakmanis : “I say this every single time you guys ask me about him, but it’s true. It’s just his intelligence. He’s really smart, and that’s not just in football, even though he is very football intelligent.
It’s just in life. He’s just very smart with how he talks and who he talks to. He’s just a really good dude who has a lot of intelligence, and I respect that to a T.
” Q : What challenge will the cold and windy weather present for you? Kaliakmanis : Well, I grew up in the Midwest. I’ve played in colder games, windier games so the weather has no effect on me, any game. That’s the mindset that we have to have as a team is that the weather isn’t going to bother us.
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Alabama Rutgers-Michigan State picks, predictions: What’s at stake in regular-season finale? 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.
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