Rutgers Falls Short in Wild Finish Against Penn State, Bowl Hopes All But Gone
On a Senior Day that was supposed to be a celebration, Rutgers found themselves on the wrong end of a 40-36 heartbreaker against Penn State - a game that had all the makings of a program-defining win until it slipped away in the final minutes.
This one had fireworks early. Both teams came out swinging, combining for 28 points in the first quarter alone and 45 by halftime. It was fast, it was chaotic, and it felt like every possession had the potential to tip the game’s momentum.
But in the second half, the tempo slowed - the stakes, however, only got higher. Rutgers kept punching, taking the lead multiple times, only to watch Penn State respond with answers of their own.
Then came what looked like the breakthrough: a 46-yard strike from Athan Kaliakmanis to Antwan Raymond, followed by a gutsy two-point conversion where Kaliakmanis found KJ Duff in the back of the end zone. That put Rutgers up by three, and for a moment, the upset was in sight.
Then came the turning point - and it was brutal.
After the defense came up with a huge stop, forcing a Penn State three-and-out, Rutgers had the ball and the momentum. But seven plays into what could’ve been the game-sealing drive, disaster struck.
Kaliakmanis lost the ball deep in Penn State territory. The Nittany Lions scooped it up and took it all the way to the house.
Just like that, the lead - and possibly the season - was gone.
On the ensuing possession, Rutgers pushed back but came up short on a fourth-down attempt. Penn State ran out the clock, clinching bowl eligibility in the process, while Rutgers was left to wrestle with what could have been.
The Run Defense Let Them Down
While the late-game fumble will stick in the minds of fans, the real issue was on the ground - specifically, Rutgers' inability to stop the run. Penn State gashed the Scarlet Knights for 300 rushing yards and three touchdowns on just 33 carries. That’s over nine yards per carry - a number that tells you everything you need to know.
Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton took turns slicing through the Rutgers front. Allen broke off a 55-yard run, Singleton answered with a 53-yarder. Every time Penn State needed a chunk play, the ground game delivered.
For a Rutgers defense that’s been gritty all year, this was a tough outing. They simply couldn’t get consistent stops when it mattered most.
Bright Spots on Offense
Despite the loss, the Rutgers offense showed serious firepower - and that’s not something we’ve always been able to say this season.
Kaliakmanis put together one of his best performances in a Scarlet Knights uniform, throwing for 338 yards and three touchdowns. He was efficient, poised, and aggressive - until that one critical mistake.
Antwan Raymond was electric, racking up 189 rushing yards and a touchdown while also making plays in the passing game, including that 46-yard score that gave Rutgers its late lead. KJ Duff continued to emerge as a legitimate weapon, hauling in five catches for 127 yards and a touchdown. Tight end Kenny Fletcher had a breakout performance of his own, catching four passes for 85 yards and showing he can be a real mismatch in space.
So yes, the offense did its part - for the most part. But when your defense is giving up 300 yards on the ground, you’re walking a tightrope. And in the fourth quarter, Rutgers lost its balance.
What’s Next
With this loss, Rutgers’ path to a bowl game is now razor-thin. The only remaining lifeline would be securing a spot based on Academic Progress Rate (APR) if not enough six-win teams emerge - a long shot, but not impossible.
Still, this one will sting. It was a game Rutgers could’ve - and arguably should’ve - won.
The effort was there. The talent flashed.
But in the end, a few key plays - a busted run fit here, a fumble there - made all the difference.
For a team that’s been building something real this season, this was a painful step back. But if there’s a silver lining, it’s this: the Scarlet Knights showed they can go toe-to-toe with a Big Ten heavyweight. Now, it’s about learning how to finish.