<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=37PG0I_0vNTScaQ00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=37PG0I_0vNTScaQ00" width="611" height="320" >Last week's season-opening win against Howard was a good debut in the Rutgers football offense for quarterback <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/Athan-Kaliakmanis-46051267">Athan Kaliakmanis</a>. His play was solid among the Big Ten's quarterback performances from the weekend according to one ESPN metric.Kaliakmanis finished with a QBR that was eighth-best in the Big Ten <a href="https://www.espn.com/college-football/qbr/_/group/5">with a ranking of 65.5</a>. And <a href="https://www.espn.com/blog/statsinfo/post/_/id/123701/how-is-total-qbr-calculated-we-explain-our-quarterback-rating">what is QBR</a>? It isn't exactly new (it debuted in 2011) but the metric "incorporates all of a quarterback's contributions to winning, including how he impacts the game on passes, rushes, turnovers and penalties."Kaliakmanis' rating wasn't against the toughest of competition but it was still encouraging for Rutgers. Despite rarely airing it out, Kaliakmanis looked positive in terms of running the offense.Last season, quarterback <a href="https://www.espn.com/college-football/player/gamelog/_/id/4893657/gavin-wimsatt">Gavin Wimsatt had a QBR average of 55.1 on the season</a>. Against FCS opponent Wagner last year, he posted a 72.3 QBR in a 52-7 win. Howard, also from the FCS, is considered a stronger opponent than Wagner but it still establishes an interesting baseline for comparison.For Rutgers, the fact that Kaliakmanis showed overall good accuracy and some mobility down the field is encouraging.Drew Allar (98.3) had the best QBR in the Big Ten last week as he guided Penn State to an impressively solid win at West Virginia. Kaliakmanis was in some good company with his showing in the season opener.In the Big Ten's QBR rankings, Ohio State's Will Howard (70.2) was one spot above Kaliakmanis in seventh place. Oregon's Dillon Gabriel (56.3) was ninth. Both Big Ten quarterbacks are being talked about as possible All-Big Ten selections and potentially as Heisman candidates.For Kaliakmanis, who joined Rutgers this offseason via the transfer portal, it was a solid debut. His comfort with the offense was not surprising given his familiarity with the scheme. There were few errant passes and Kaliakmanis kept the ball secure."I thought Athan was efficient in his passing. It makes you more confident to throw the football, for sure," Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano said on Monday. "I know for [Rutgers OC] Kirk [Ciarrocca], it allows him to kind of be able to ham-and-egg the play calling a little bit more, which, you know, each week's different, depending on what the defense gives you. But yeah, again, it's one game. Let's not get in front of ourselves. But I was pleased with not only the way he played Athan but the way he prepared all training camp and then the spring. I think he's done a good job of coming in here as a newcomer and just kind of putting his head down and working, and by doing that, I think he's established himself as a leader in our program."And just for a bit of comparison in terms of looking ahead, Virginia Tech's Kyron Drones was tenth in the ACC following last week's surprising loss at Vanderbilt. Drones had a QBR of 58.1The Hokies host Rutgers in two weeks and face play Marshall this week in what should be a bounce-back game.</div></body>

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Athan Kaliakmanis carrying solid quarterback rating into second game against Akron

Last week's season-opening win against Howard was a good debut in the Rutgers football offense for quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis. His play was solid among the Big Ten's quarterback performances from the weekend according to one ESPN metric. Kaliakmanis finished with a QBR that was eighth-best in the Big Ten with...

Athan Kaliakmanis carrying solid quarterback rating into second game against Akron

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