Deborah Walker
Dec 30, 2023 - 01:20

Rutgers football beats Miami in Pinstripe Bowl: National and Florida reactions

Rutgers wins first-ever game against Miami, 31-24, in Pinstripe Bowl. Excitement within program, praise from national media, and impressive performances.

The Scarlet Knights pulled off a stunning 31-24 victory over Miami in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium, marking their first-ever win against the Hurricanes after 11 consecutive losses during their Big East Days. This triumph also secured their first bowl title in nine years.

The entire program was electrified with excitement, and the national media heaped praise on Rutgers for their historic win. Stewart Mandel of The Athletic emphasized the significance of the win, highlighting the program's first winning record since 2014. Nicole Auerbach also applauded the achievement, mentioning that it was inspiring to see underdog teams like Rutgers succeed in bowl games.

Former Rutgers players and analysts also expressed their pride and joy for the team's victory. Shawn Tucker, a former Rutgers WR and current Vice President of Athletic Development & Deputy Athletic Director, commended Greg Schiano and Kyle Monangai, urging Rutgers Nation to celebrate. Garrett Stepien from 247Sports acknowledged the remarkable turnaround under Schiano's leadership, and former Rutgers QB Mike Teel celebrated the team's resilience and determination.

Dick Vitale, a former Rutgers basketball assistant and current ESPN college basketball analyst, lauded Schiano for instilling pride and passion in the team and beating Miami, while Manny Navarro of The Athletic highlighted Monangai's outstanding performance as the Big Ten's leading rusher.

The Miami Herald's Greg Cote and The South Florida Sun-Sentinel's Adam Lichtenstein analyzed Miami's struggles in the game, emphasizing the unexpected nature of their loss to Rutgers and the defensive lapses that allowed the Scarlet Knights to dominate on the ground.

Overall, Rutgers' victory over Miami was a monumental achievement that captivated fans, analysts, and the media, signaling a new era of success and promise for the program.