Kyle Monangai has to sit out Rate Bowl

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Rutgers football coach Greg Schiano said Tuesday that star running back Kyle Monangai will not play in Thursday’s Rate Bowl against Kansas State.

Monangai – along with other players planning to pursue the NFL after this season – had the option to sit out the game to avoid any risk of injury that could affect their draft stock.

But Monangai will still be heavily involved.

“He chose not to, which I completely understand,” Schiano said during Rate Bowl Media Day at the JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort. “Kyle has done so much for Rutgers. Excited about his future. He was great. He helped as a trainer and was at every meeting. If you didn’t know, you would think he was acting. That’s exactly how he’s prepared. But this is Kyle. If he wants to do something, he will do anything.”

During an open practice session here Monday, Monangai was in street clothes assisting running backs coach Damiere Shaw.

With Monangai not playing, the book is closed on a stellar career in a Scarlet Knights uniform as the Don Bosco Prep product went from an under-recruited running back to one of the best in the country.

Last season, he rushed for 1,279 yards on 256 carries (5.0 yards per attempt) and 13 touchdowns.

Monangai joins Ray Rice and Terrell Willis as one of only three players in program history to reach 3,000 receiving yards in a career. He is also the fourth player in program history to record multiple 1,000-yard rushing seasons.

Perhaps most notable?

Monangai never committed a fumble in his career – 669 carries and 38 receptions.

With Monangai not playing against Kansas State, Antwan Raymond and Ja’shon Benjamin will both get big opportunities.

Raymond, a true freshman, has rushed for 344 yards on 82 carries and five touchdowns this season, while Benjamin has rushed for 67 yards on 12 carries in three games – Benjamin kept his redshirt, which was Rutgers’ plan for the season.

Monangai missed the team’s win over Minnesota and Raymond (73 yards on 22 carries) and Benjamin (66 yards on 11 carries) both played well.

“They should have some confidence because that exact situation happened in the game against Minnesota and they both figured it out and played very well,” Schiano said. “If that hadn’t happened, there would be a little unease. But I think they both really practice. Coach Shaw does a great job developing our running backs. This running back room is a special room, and it’s all because of the coach’s position. He sets the tone in this room.”

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