Takeaways from loss to no. 24 Illinois

On By Littum

game

PISCATAWAY – This game was right there for Rutgers football, an opportunity to end a long losing streak against ranked opponents.

But that one Scarlet Knights couldn’t get it done.

Instead of a memorable victory, they suffered a heartbreaking loss.

Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer threw a 40-yard touchdown pass to Pat Bryant on fourth-and-13 with just seconds left in the fourth quarter to send No. 24 Illini to a 38-31 win over Rutgers on Saturday at SHI Stadium.

On the previous play, the Illini attempted a 58-yard field goal in the wind that wasn’t even close—but Rutgers called timeout just before the kick, negating the miss and giving Illinois new life.

The Illini took advantage and won the game in the process.

The Scarlet Knights’ defense blew. Altmyer found an open Bryant, who managed to elude defenders and raced toward the right corner of the end zone for the touchdown. The Illini then converted the two-point attempt.

Rutgers, which hasn’t beaten a ranked opponent since 2009 (now 41 consecutive losses to ranked teams), saw its two-game winning streak end as it fell to 6-5 on the season.

It was a wild, back-and-forth, momentum-shifting game.

Athan Kaliakmanis threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Monangai with just over a minute left in the fourth quarter, but Illinois moved down the field on its ensuing possession to get the win.

Here are some quick takeaways:

Rutgers’ defense couldn’t contain Illinois late

Kaliakmanis punched the ball into the end zone from a yard out early in the fourth quarter to put Rutgers up by nine, but it didn’t last long.

Illinois had third-and-7 from its own 28 on its ensuing possession, but Altmyer threw a 64-yard pass to Bryant that got the Illini the ball at the eight-yard line.

Two plays later, Aidan Loughery ran it in from there for a touchdown that cut Rutgers’ lead to two with just under 14 minutes left in the fourth quarter.

Then a pair of penalties hurt Rutgers later in the quarter.

Illinois had third-and-8 from its own 42 when Altmyer threw an incomplete pass, but Rutgers cornerback Robert Longerbeam was called for pass interference (he was also injured on the play).

A few plays later, Illinois had second-and-26 at its own 39. Altmyer threw a pass to Hank Beatty for no gain, but Rutgers was called for holding, giving the Illini a first down at its own 49 to keep the drive going.

Illinois took advantage.

The Illini had first-and-10 at their own 30 when Altmyer took off running and crossed into the end zone for a touchdown. Illinois converted the two-point attempt to take a 30-24 lead with 3:07 left.

It was a brutal turnaround for Rutgers, who briefly managed to take the lead late before it all collapsed for good.

Athan Kaliakman’s fumble in the third quarter changes the momentum of the game

Rutgers came out of halftime with a 17-9 lead and threatened to add to it early in the third quarter.

But on first-and-10 from the Illinois 41, Kaliakmanis fumbled and Gabe Jacas recovered for Illinois at the Illini’s 37. It initially appeared that Kaliakmanis fell on top of the ball, but the officials ultimately ruled that Jacas had secured it at the bottom of the pile.

It proved costly for Rutgers.

Illinois drove down the field and scored when Josh McCray ran it into the end zone from four yards out. But the Illini failed to convert the two-point attempt, allowing the Scarlet Knights to cling to a 17-15 lead.

Still, it was a costly turnover that at the time propelled Rutgers to Illinois.

Rutgers’ offense strong in the first half, but up and down in the second

The Scarlet Knights moved the ball well in the first half and managed to run the ball well with Kyle Monangai leading the way and Athan Kaliakmanis making a number of good throws to extend drives.

Rutgers went up 17-9 in the final seconds of the first half when Kaliakmanis threw a two-yard touchdown pass to Ian Strong, who made a nice catch while being closely covered by a defender.

The Scarlet Knights outplayed Illinois in the first half.

But they could not maintain that momentum in the second half.

It was forced to punt on its first possession of the half, then Kaliakmanis fumbled on its second drive in the third quarter.

The Scarlet Knights had a nice drive late in the third quarter — aided by a pair of Illinois penalties, including a holding call on third-and-4 from the Illinois 6 that gave Rutgers a first down at the 3.

Kaliakmanis punched the ball in from one yard out to cap the drive, putting Rutgers up 24-15.

But the Scarlet Knights couldn’t hold onto the lead.