SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — As Chris Klieman bounced around the midwest, going up and down the coaching ladder from a Division III DC to a national champion head coach at the FCS level before becoming Kansas State’s head coach, the Rutgers football program occasionally came onto his radar.

Kansas State did not finish the regular season the way it wanted to. Not by a long shot. In the thick of the Big 12 race — potentially the College Football Playoff — heading into the final month, the Wildcats stumbled to three losses in their final four games.

SportsLine's model revealed its college football picks for Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. Kansas State Wildcats in the Rate Bowl 2024 on Thursday

Sitting cross legged underneath a tent blocking the bright Arizona sun and in front of a banner that reads “RUTGERS TEAM COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EVENT,” quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis smiles as he points to the page he is reading to a local grade school girl.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – 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 looking to pursue the NFL after this season – had the option to sit out the game to avoid any injury risk that could dent their draft stock.

Rutgers running back Kyle Monangai will sit out the Rate Bowl to prepare for the 2025 NFL Draft. Monangai, the program's second all-time leading rusher, will assist in coaching during the game. Learn more about his decision and its impact.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Rutgers is off and running in the Valley of the Sun. The Scarlet Knights held their first practice on local land at Indian School Park on Monday ahead of their Rate Bowl matchup against Kansas State in Phoenix on Thursday.

Big Ten college football postseason matchup. It's between Kansas State and Rutgers at Chase Field on Thursday.

Many of Rutgers football's NFL-bound players are playing in the Rate Bowl against Kansas State, a chance to get critical game film for scouts to see.