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Even for a program that has been inducted into the Worst Losses in College Football History Hall of Fame, this one goes on the Mount Rushmore of humiliating defeats.
Rutgers, after forcing No. 25 Illinois into praying for a miracle to win, provided that miracle — twice — in a 38-31 loss at SHI Stadium on Saturday.
The Scarlet Knights — after driving to a go-ahead touchdown with 1:08 remaining on a 10-play, 65-yard drive expertly managed by quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis — had made a good enough defensive stand to win, forcing the Illini to attempt a 58-yard field goal into a swirling wind.
And, as expected, kicker Ethan Moczulski missed the attempt wide left — but Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano had called time out before the snap.
Ice the kicker? In the end, Rutgers would suffer frostbite.
Illinois, realizing a game-winning field goal was a pipe dream, put its offense back on the field, and — surprise, surprise — quarterback Luke Altmyer hit wide receiver Pat Bryant on a fourth-and-13, catch-and-run 40-yard touchdown with four seconds remaining in the game.
With Rutgers in an all-out blitz, Bryant caught the pass over the middle at the 23-yard line, then raced to the corner of the end zone as stunned Rutgers fans and elated Illinois fans couldn’t believe what was happening.
When Rutgers threw the ball out of the end zone on a ridiculous desperation lateral play on the final kickoff, the Illini were headed to the airport with an unexpected 38-31 win.
And Rutgers — even though it’s headed to a bowl game at 6-5 — is a college football punchline once again, blowing its first victory over a ranked opponent since 2009.
As if the loss wasn’t tough enough on Rutgers fans, it also cost some bettors: The over-under on Rutgers’ wins this season is 6.5. This one — the seventh — was in hand, but now the Scarlet Knights must beat Michigan State on the road in the finale to save those bettors.
“I’m glad they called the timeout,” Illinois coach Bret Bielema said seconds after the final whistle. “We were kind of on the verge of whether we want to kick a field goal or go for it.”
Needless to say, Schiano and Rutgers were roasted on Twitter/X. Here’s a sampling:
“Unf—ingbelievable. Why do you need to ice the kicker for a 60 yard FG into a gale wind??? Nice job coach.”
“Fire Greg Schiano. Period. Full stop.”
“Schiano with the most brain dead timeout you’ll ever see in your life.”
“That is absolutely gut wrenching way to lose if you’re Rutgers. Man that’s brutal.”
“LITERALLY NO NEED TO CALL TIMEOUT. NONE!!!!! Schiano is a MORON!”
“Is that the worst timeout ever called by Rutgers?”
“Rutgers iced the kicker who was kicking a 58 yarder into the wind. Illinois decides to go for it on 4th and 13 and scores a 40 yard touchdown with 4 seconds to go. Bruh, why do you need to ice a college kicker kicking a 58 yarder into the wind. This sport is nuts.”
“So poor. What the f— was that. Fire Schiano. F—ing ridiculous.”
“Greg Schiano needs to be fired after that … Ices the kicker from 58 yards out when he has no chance in the wind. Then can’t come up with a way to get a stop on a 4th and 13 play. All Rutgers does is take steps back. Coulda had a ranked win for the first time since 2009 but no.”
“He should’ve never been able to score after catching this. I don’t want to take Schiano off the hook for that stupid TO, but not getting this guy to the ground is just as indefensible.”
“Greg Schiano about to be swimming in Harry & David fruit baskets with return addresses from Illinois.”
“I’ve watched literally over 400 Rutgers games … we find ways to lose … invent them.”
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