PISCATAWAY – The exorcism was just about complete for Rutgers football. The Scarlet Knights had a foot on the throat of the sorriest version of Penn State anyone could remember. They had the lead, the ball, and were gashing the Nittany Lions like a pack of wild dogs carving up a Thanksgiving turkey.
The crowd was frenzied in anticipation of the program’s first Big Ten victory over their hated rival – and a bowl bid to boot.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAll Rutgers has to do was keep plunging the dagger.
PISCATAWAY, NEW JERSEY - NOVEMBER 29: Nicholas Singleton #10 of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs the ball against Jett Elad #9 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in the first half at SHI Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)Instead, the Scarlet Knights fell on it.
In the most inexplicable turn of events imaginable, Rutgers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis fumbled and Penn State returned it 61 yards for a fourth-quarter touchdown.
Final score: Penn State 40, Rutgers 36.
And so the sixth season of Greg Schiano’s second tour at Rutgers’ helm ends with a 5-7 record and a squandered opportunity that will sting for a long time.
And so one of the most explosive, entertaining seasons in recent program history -- this is the first time Rutgers has had a 3,000-yeard passer, 1,000-yard rusher and 1,000-yard receiver since 2007 -- ended with a losing record, no bowl bid and the 11th straight loss to a Penn State program that had lost its head coach and starting quarterback.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIt’s hard to point the finger at any reason why Rutgers lost this game. Kaliakmanis was superb, throwing for 338 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. The offensive line steamrolled Penn State to the tune of 533 total yards, including 209 on the ground. The much-maligned defense played poorly, as expected, but appeared to be gaining the upper hand on Penn State’s offense.
And then, it all came undone.
In the end, chants of "We are Penn State" echoed through SHI Stadium like they always do when the Nittany Lions come here.
Rutgers fans, some of the hardiest on earth, walked out in a stunned daze. They'd seen a version of this movie before, though never one that ended that kind of gut punch. How did this happen? Why did it happen?
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThere’s no explanation other than one that nobody wants to hear, but everyone knows: Only at Rutgers.
Jerry Carino has covered the New Jersey sports scene since 1996 and the college basketball beat since 2003. Contact him at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Rutgers football loses to Penn State in a way that only Rutgers could
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