Heartbreak: Rutgers Falls to Penn State 40-36 On Senior Night

Rutgers Football lost in their winner-take-all senior day game against Penn State 40-36. The Scarlet Knight faithful looked on as the Nittany Lions clinched bowl eligibility in a game Rutgers had a good chance to win.

The game would start fast for both teams, as they scored a combined 28 points in the first quarter and a combined 45 points in the first half.

The game would slow down in the second half, with Rutgers taking the lead several times, and Penn State answering right back. Then Rutgers scored a touchdown off a 46-yard Antwan Raymond touchdown catch. The Knights would go for two as Kaliakmanis found KJ Duff in the back of the end zone to go up by three points.

Rutgers’ defense would then force the Lions to go three and out to get the ball back for their offense. However, it was here that disaster struck. Seven plays into a drive that had advanced into Penn State territory, Kaliakmanis fumbled the ball, and it was picked up by the Lions, who ran it all the way back for the score. Rutgers would get stopped on fourth down in their ensuing drive as Penn State held on to win.

The biggest issue for Rutgers in this game, besides the fumble by Kaliakmanis, was the rush defense. The Lions ran for 300 yards and three touchdowns on 33 carries in this game. Penn State’s premier 1A running back Kaytron Allen’s longest rush of the day was 55 yards, while the Lions’ 1B running back, Nicholas Singleton’s longest rush of the day was 53 yards.

The offense itself looked good on the day, aside from the one play. Kaliakmanis threw for 338 yards and three touchdowns while running back Antwan Raymond added 189 yards and one touchdown on the ground. Wide receiver KJ Duff had five catches for 127 yards and a touchdown while tight end Kenny Fletcher had a breakout game, hauling in four passes for 85 yards.

With this loss, Rutgers has little chance of a bowl game. The only way for them to get to a bowl game would be if they had the highest APR available.

This is likely the beginning of a crucial off-season where changes must be made.