Rutgers Athletics is navigating a busy and pivotal stretch. On Thursday, the Scarlet Knights were active across several fronts — from road contests in basketball and volleyball to the opening day of the Navy
Invitational for swimming & diving, and preparations for a major football road test. The competition continues into the weekend, with busy slates ahead on Friday and Saturday, as well as multiple developments from around football, recruiting, and other Olympic sports.
A Busy Week for the Biggest Winter Sports
Men’s Basketball
Rutgers improved to 4-0 on the season with an 80-71 home win over American on Tuesday evening. The Knights rode a dominant second-half surge after a sluggish first half, leaned on their interior strength, and outrebounded American 42-32.
After the Eagles jumped out to a 22-11 lead, Rutgers stormed back to tie the game at 33 and took an early second-half lead, extending it to 48-37. Despite American clawing back multiple times throughout the second half, they were not able to close the gap, and Rutgers hung on for the victory.
The win marked Rutgers’ best start since the 2020-21 season, despite their continuing struggles to put away pesky mid-major opponents. Before heading to Vegas, RU hosts Central Connecticut at 6:30 PM on Big Ten Plus, a team that already beat Boston College in Chestnut Hill.
Women’s Basketball
Earlier in the week, Rutgers defeated FDU 59-49 in Piscataway. The Knights pulled away in the fourth quarter with a 13-2 run after a tight first three quarters, won the rebound battle 42-33, and had four players in double figures, including Zachara Perkins, who scored a career-high 17 points.
On Thursday, Rutgers took its first road trip of the season, visiting Auburn at Neville Arena. The Scarlet Knights fell behind by double-digits, and although they outscored the Tigers 17-12 in the final quarter, they were unable to overcome the deficit and fell 51-46.
Rutgers took the lead into the second quarter and trailed 23-21 at the half, but the defining stretch came when Auburn held RU scoreless for nearly the entire third quarter, building a 37-23 lead. Rutgers ended the third period with a 6-2 run to cut it to 39-29, but couldn’t complete the comeback in the end.
The Scarlet Knights return home for their second homestand of the season, beginning with Siena on Monday at 7 PM. They will then host Northeastern on Friday and Saint Peter’s on Sunday before the conference opener against Iowa the following Saturday. A short trip to Princeton follows, with the Tigers having won the last three matchups by double digits.
Wrestling
Sophomore Conner Harer secured a runner-up finish, competing unattached in the 157-pound weight class at the Black Knight Open in West Point last Saturday. Harer won his first three matches, including a sudden-death victory to reach the finals, but fell to Army’s Joey Antonio to take second.
Additional placewinners for #13 Rutgers wrestling included Mason Gibson (third, 141), Dagen Condomitti (fourth, 157), Nick Villani (fourth, 149), and Nate Blanchette (sixth, 174). The full lineup heads to the Keystone Classic in Philadelphia on Sunday, November 23, with the Journeyman Jostle against Davidson and #10 NC State to follow in early December.
The Best From Around Rutgers Athletics
Swimming & Diving
Rutgers opened competition at the Navy Invitational in Annapolis after a dual meet at Princeton that featured several individual highs. The meet will serve as a chance to build momentum and test depth across the roster.
Despite falling to #25 Princeton 212.5–87.5, several standout performances highlighted the outing:
- Emiliana Gonzalez won the 50 free in 22.90 seconds, just shy of her earlier 22.83 (sixth-fastest in program history).
- Cameron Kuriger swam a personal-best 2:00.47 in the 200 fly, the 10th-fastest time in school history.
- The #6-ranked diving unit swept the podium in the 3-meter event, with Bailee Sturgill posting a personal-best 337.73, placing eighth all-time at RU. Sephora Ford added two runner-up finishes, and Amelia Scott took third on the 3-meter.
The Navy Invitational continues through Saturday.
Volleyball
Rutgers’ West Coast road trip proved challenging, with the Knights getting swept 3-0 by #17 USC and UCLA (receiving votes). On Thursday, they closed out their road slate with a 3-0 loss at #17 Indiana, falling 25-17, 25-12, 25-15.
The Scarlet Knights now return to Jersey Mike’s Arena for a mid-afternoon showdown with #19 Minnesota at 4:30 PM on BTN. Rutgers was swept by the Gophers in late September during the Big Ten opening weekend.
Rutgers volleyball wraps up its season with:
- Oregon on Wednesday at 4 PM (JMA)
- Washington on Friday at 1 PM (College Ave Gym)
Football
Rutgers is in final preparations for Saturday’s road clash at #1 Ohio State. Coming off a strong win over Maryland behind a dominant rushing performance, the Scarlet Knights look to build momentum entering next week’s Senior Day matchup against Penn State — a game likely carrying major stakes for both teams.
Antwan Raymond continues to receive national recognition, being named a semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award, one week after earning Doak Walker National Running Back of the Week honors for his 41-carry, 240-yard performance against Maryland. Raymond enters the weekend with 1,000 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns, though the Big Ten has notably not honored him or KJ Duff with weekly awards.
In recruiting news, Rutgers added a late-night commitment from 2026 ATH RJ Wortman, a three-star on 247Sports who recently decommitted from Maine after drawing FBS attention. The 6’3”, 205-pound Colonia product starred at receiver with 101 catches for 1,306 yards and 15 touchdowns this season, while also contributing defensively and on special teams.
RU now holds 21 commitments in the 2026 class, with Cameron Greene the only other New Jersey native. National Signing Day arrives on December 3, so be sure to follow all of our recruiting coverage at OTB!
Other Athletics News
- Rutgers has posted a job opening for a Director of NIL, overseeing RNIL operations in partnership with SAMCO.
- Rutgers Baseball released its 2025 schedule, featuring 14 weekend series (10 in Big Ten play) and a February start down south. The program also signed 11 new players on Signing Day.
What’s Ahead
Football: Saturday at #1 Ohio State; next week vs. Penn State (Senior Day)
Men’s Basketball: Hosts CCSU Friday; then the Players’ Era Festival in Las Vegas (Tennessee, Notre Dame, plus TBD)
Women’s Basketball: Siena Monday; Northeastern Friday; Saint Peter’s Sunday
Volleyball: Final home matches vs. Minnesota, Oregon, Washington
Swimming & Diving: Navy Invitational continues through Saturday
Cross Country: Awaiting NCAA selections and postseason honors
Wrestling: Keystone Classic on Sunday
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