After a heartbreaking loss to Penn State, Rutgers football began what will be one of its most turbulent off-seasons in recent memory this week, while the men’s basketball team was crushed in its most recent games. From the start of Big Ten play for both basketball programs to Women’s Swim and Diving’s tournament in Minnesota, here is everything you need to know about last week in Rutgers athletics.
Men’s Basketball Blown Out Against No.1 Purdue, and No.3 Michigan
A pair of tough losses struck the Scarlet Knights this week as they had to run through one of the most difficult weeks they have had on their schedule since 2009. After earning their only win in the Players Era Tournament 8-65 over UNLV, Rutgers returned home and got beaten by Purdue 81-65. They then went out to Michigan, where they were beaten 101-60. The Knights were severely outclassed in both games, and that showed on the court as Rutgers could barely create any stops on defense.
Women’s Basketball pickups up win against Saint Peters, but has rough start to Big ten play against No.12 Iowa
It was a busy thanksgiving weekend for Rutgers women’s basketball, but they wrapped it up with a 57-39 win over Saint Peters. Three Rutgers players scored double digit points, as Nene Ndiaye, Imani Lester, and Kaylah Ivey all recorded 12 points. Zachara Perkins had eight points, six rebounds, and four assists on a cold shooting night for her.
However, their next game of the week would not go according to plan as they were dominated 79-36 by Iowa in their first Big ten game of the season. The game was as lopsided as the score looks, as the Knights were beaten in every statistical category besides free-throw percentage. One particular mismatch came inside the paint as Rutgers was outscored 44-18 from underneath the basket. Iowa also had three players score 14 points or more, with center Ava Heiden recording the most with 17.
Next up for the Knights is a visit to undefeated Princeton on Wednesday.
Women’s Field Hockey Players Puck Winter and Paulina Niklaus Named First Team all Region
Two Rutgers players, Puck Winter and Paulina Niklaus, have been named to the Mid-Atlantic region first team. This is the fourth time Winter has recieved the honor and the third time Niklaus has. This marks the third season in a row that Rutgers has had at least two all-region players, and their seventh season out of eight that this has happened as well. Winter recorded five goals, three assists, and six defensive saves this season. Niklaus had five goals and six assists this season.
Rutgers Women’s Volleyball Middle Blocker Zora Hardinson Recieves the Big Ten sportsmanship award.
Zora Hardinson of Rutgers women’s volleyball received the sportsmanship award, and award given to a player who has shown great sportsmanship on and off the court. During the 2025 season the junior Scarlet Knight led Rutgers with 104 total blocks while hitting a team-second best .317 with 2.07 kills per set. Off the court she participated in the Big Ten’s Big Life Series: Selma to Montgomery and helped create the first Black Excellence Game to honor and celebrate black history in the Rutgers community.
Rutgers Swim and Dive Comes in Fifth at Minnesota Invitational
Sephora Ford won the platform diving competition with a score of 317.70, good for the school’s second highest score in platform diving. Second place at the event was taken by a diver who came in at 251.0. She touched the wall in 49.20, the third fastest time in school history, and fastest mark in the event for the program since 2020.
Angelica Bath had a top 8 finish in the backstroke, while Anna Vlachou finished fourth in the 100 yard freestyle.
Cameron Kuriger posted a 200 yard butterfly time of 1:59:58 in the B final, which was the eighth fastest time in RU history and seventh fastest finals time.
Out of the six teams that completed Rutgers came in fifth. Rutgers scored a total of 811.50, coming in behind Cal, Minnesota, Harvard, and Denver, but finishing above UNLV.
Rutgers Wrestling Splits Matches at Journeyman Jostle
No.13 Rutgers wrestling split its matches at the Journeyman Jostle Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina as they beat unranked Davidson, 49-3, but fell to No.10 NC State, 27-11.
No. 12 Dylan Shawver (133), No. 12 Joseph Olivieri (141) and No. 16 Shane Cartagena-Walsh (184) earned wins over both opponents they wrestled against.
Rutgers won all but one bout in the Davidson duel. Their only loss came at the buzzer as No.21 Anthony White was upset by Anderson Heap. The Knights earned a total of nine bonus points victories against Davidson.
Rutgers lost its first bout in the NC State duel as Ayden Smith was matched up against No.1 Vincent Robinson. Smith was agressive and was able to hold Robinson to just an 8-3 decision.
The Knights would win their next two duels to take the lead but NC State would go on a run for the the four bouts to take the lead back. Cartagena-Walsh tried to spark a comeback for the Knights when they were down 20-6 by landing three takedowns and securing a tech fall to make it 20-11, but Rutgers would lose two tough bouts to close out the match.
Rutgers Football: Recruiting, National Signing Day, Coaches fired, Bowl Game declined, All Big Ten Honors, Transfer Portal
Just because it is the off-season does not mean that Rutgers football has been idle. To start Rutgers flipped both four star safety Messiah Tilson and three star DB Devonte Anderson at the 11th hour to add to their 2026 signee class. The Knights signed a total of 22 high schoolers to the class of 2026 during the early national signing period.
Rutgers has fired defensive coaches Robb Smith, Zach Sparber, and Collin Ferrell.
Nine Rutgers players have received Big Ten Honors. OL Kwabena Asamoah, WR Ian Strong and CB Bo Mascoe were named honorable mentions by both the Media and the Coaches. LB Dariel Djabome and Punter Jakob Anderson were named honorable mentions by the media. Kicker Jai Patel and Saftey Jett Elad were named honorable mentions by the Coaches. Antwan Raymond and KJ Duff were named to the all-Big Ten second team.
Despite finishing with a 5-7 record, Rutgers had an opportunity to play in the Birmingham bowl against Georgia Southern due to other teams declining, but they declined themselves.
To finish off the football news, four players announced they will be entering the transfer portal when it opens. DE Jordan Walker, RB Samuel Brown V, RB CJ Campbell, and WR/KR Dane Partridge all announced their intentions to enter.
Upcoming schedule
Rutgers women’s swimming and diving at USA invitational : Dec 10
Rutgers women’s basketball at Princeton: Dec 10, 7:30 PM, Jadwin Gymnasium
Rutgers men’s basketball at Seton Hall: Dec 13, 8 pm, Prudential Center
Rutgers wrestling vs No.19 Oklahoma: Dec 13,8 pm, Jersey Mike’s Arena
