Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis made 17 starts at Minnesota in 2022-23. He opted to enter the transfer portal this offseason and remained within the Big Ten and decided to join former Gophers offensive coordinator Kirk Cirrocca at Rutgers.

There were many rumors about his decision to leave Minnesota, but in the end it seemed like a mutual choice between both parties. The Gophers opted to replace him with a more experienced Max Brosmer from New Hampshire.

Saturday’s game was Kaliakmanis’ first opportunity for revenge, as Rutgers hosted the Gophers in a pivotal Big Ten clash. He clearly played with something to prove, as it was arguably his best performance in a Scarlet Knights uniform.

Kaliakmanis was 17-33 for 240 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. It was his third time with three touchdown passes this season and his fourth time with at least 240 passing yards. The combination of both made it one of his most complete performances this year.

“Athan made some really good throws and they made some really good catches. They executed at a high level,” Gophers head coach PJ Fleck said after the game. “We kept it in front of us. There was a goal-line shot that they hit. That was contested, the kid makes a really good catch, Athan makes a really good throw.”

About 11 months after Kaliakmanis entered the transfer portal, I think both he and the Gophers are happy with how things turned out. Brosmer has proven to be an important piece for Minnesota’s offense and Kaliakmanis remains a starting quarterback in the Big Ten.

Minnesota’s frustrating loss to Rutgers was due to much more than Kaliakmanis’ solid performance. But, when this year’s schedule was released, people immediately pointed out this game because of all the connections. Today’s match showed Kaliakmanis being a talented quarterback in good shape can dramatically impact a player’s development.