It was a pivotal weekend for college athletics across the Garden State, headlined by a statement victory from Rutgers football that kept its postseason dreams burning bright. The Scarlet Knights powered past Maryland 35–20 on Saturday afternoon, improving to 5–5 and staying right in the hunt for a third consecutive bowl appearance.

Running back Antwan Raymond put on one of the greatest individual performances in Rutgers history, rushing for a career-best 240 yards on 41 carries while adding a touchdown. The explosive day placed him third on the program’s all-time single-game rushing list, behind only Ray Rice. Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis was equally sharp, throwing four touchdown passes, including three to standout receiver Ian Strong.

Rutgers took control in the third quarter when Strong hauled in a 14-yard touchdown reception to extend the lead to 28–17, energizing the home crowd and putting the Knights firmly in command. Maryland’s offense, which had opened the game with a 73-yard touchdown run from freshman quarterback Malik Washington, sputtered after halftime. The Terrapins managed just 83 total yards in the second half as Rutgers’ defense clamped down, swarming Washington and limiting big-play opportunities.

With the victory, Rutgers (5–5, 2–5 Big Ten) now sets its sights on a tough road test against Ohio State before closing out the regular season at home against Penn State on November 29. A win in either of those matchups could secure a coveted bowl berth, continuing the program’s steady resurgence under head coach Greg Schiano. Maryland, meanwhile, fell to 4–5 and extended its losing streak to five games.

Fans can follow more Garden State sports action and Rutgers coverage by visiting Explore New Jersey Sports.

Dartmouth Edges Princeton in Ivy League Clash

Up north in Hanover, New Hampshire, Dartmouth extended its winning streak with a 20–17 victory over Princeton in another hard-fought Ivy League showdown. The Big Green have now defeated Princeton in five of their last six meetings, improving to 6–2 overall and 3–2 in conference play.

Quarterback Grayson Saunier led Dartmouth’s balanced attack, throwing for one touchdown and rushing for another. Running back D.J. Crowther also made a major impact with 96 yards and a 3-yard score that capped a 15-play, 88-yard drive early in the second quarter. Dartmouth’s defense was equally effective, as Harrison Keith came up with a critical interception—his second in as many games—to halt a Princeton rally.

Princeton quarterback Kai Colón passed for 266 yards and two interceptions, adding a late touchdown that brought the Tigers within three points with just 33 seconds left. However, Dartmouth recovered the ensuing onside kick to secure the win. Princeton now drops to 3–5 on the season, with two Ivy League games remaining.

Lions Shine in Season Openers on the Hardwood

At the Division III level, The College of New Jersey’s men’s basketball team tipped off its season in dominant fashion, defeating FDU-Florham 96–71 in Madison. New head coach Evan Elberg celebrated his debut victory in emphatic fashion as the Lions poured in 61 first-half points to lead by 33 at the break. Nick Koch led all scorers with 31 points, while David Alexandre added 18. The Lions’ up-tempo offense and sharpshooting from beyond the arc proved too much for the Devils to handle.

The TCNJ women’s team also opened their season with a strong showing, though they fell 87–75 to Arcadia. Delaney Bell had a career performance for Arcadia, scoring 33 points on 13-of-20 shooting. TCNJ’s Maddie Bernhardt led the Lions with 22 points, while Amanda Baylock and Izzy Augustine added 19 apiece in a game that showcased TCNJ’s offensive depth despite the loss.

Princeton Men’s Soccer Completes Unbeaten Ivy League Season

In Philadelphia, the Princeton men’s soccer team continued its dominant run with a 1–0 shutout over Penn. Bardia Hormozi’s goal in the seventh minute proved to be the difference as the Tigers wrapped up an undefeated Ivy League campaign (13–1–2 overall, 7–0 Ivy). Goalkeeper Andrew Samuels recorded his 11th shutout of the season, backstopping Princeton’s airtight defense.

With the victory, Princeton clinched the top seed in the Ivy League Tournament, which it will host at home this week. The semifinals are set for Thursday, with the championship match on Sunday.

Weekend Roundup: More New Jersey College Results

It was a busy Saturday across the state for New Jersey collegiate teams. In NJAC football action, Montclair State pulled off a thrilling 30–27 comeback victory over The College of New Jersey, scoring 11 unanswered points in the final quarter and sealing the win with a clutch field goal in the closing seconds. On the field hockey side, Rowan edged TCNJ 1–0 in double overtime to capture the NJAC Championship in one of the most tightly contested matches of the season.

Sunday, November 9, 2025 Schedule

Sunday, November 9, 2025 Schedule

Today’s schedule for major New Jersey college teams is focused on basketball, as there are no NCAA football games scheduled for Sunday. All times are EST. 

Today’s focus shifts to basketball as several of the state’s top programs return to action. Rutgers women’s basketball hosts Stony Brook at 2 p.m., while Princeton’s women travel south to face Georgia Tech at the same time. For men’s basketball, Seton Hall and Rutgers both have the day off as they prepare for their upcoming matchups against Fairfield and Maine, respectively.

For Division III programs, the basketball season is just getting underway, with most NJAC schools at 1–0 or still awaiting their regular-season openers.

Across New Jersey, from powerhouse Division I programs like Rutgers and Princeton to the passionate smaller schools of the NJAC, the weekend showcased the depth and energy of college sports in the Garden State. Football bowl dreams, basketball debuts, and soccer dominance all came together to remind fans that no matter the season, there’s always excitement brewing on New Jersey’s campuses.

Stay tuned for more updates, highlights, and coverage from across the state at Explore New Jersey Sports.