Rutgers football had chances.
Plenty of them.
But the Scarlet Knights couldn’t capitalize on nearly enough of them.
After struggling offensively for most of the game, Rutgers finally found the end zone with about four minutes remaining but it ultimately couldn’t pull off the comeback in a 14-7 loss to Nebraska at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln.
The defeat dropped the Scarlet Knights to 4-1.
Here’s how the game unfolded:
The Scarlet Knights showed late life, but all those missed opportunities until then proved costly in their first loss of the season.
Well, how about that. Rutgers has some late life.
The Scarlet Knights scored as Athan Kaliakmanis threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Ben Black.
It’s now 14-7 Nebraska.
Nebraska had fourth-and-10 at its own 28 and punted. But Jamier Wright-Collins flew in and blocked it. Shaquan Loyal recovered the ball and returned it to the Cornhuskers 2-yard line.
But Rutgers couldn’t get into the end zone. It nearly did on the first play of the possession when Monangai tried to punch it in but was ruled down inside the 1 – it wasn’t reviewable and coaches can’t challenge.
After a holding penalty by Nebraska on second down, Rutgers had first-and-goal from the 2. Didn’t matter.
Rutgers couldn’t score.
On fourth-and-goal from the 2, the Scarlet Knights threw. Kaliakmanis nearly got intercepted.
Instead of a touchdown, it was a turnover on downs.
Brutal first half by the Scarlet Knights.
Questionable decisions, costly turnovers, an ability to sustain anything offensively. The Scarlet Knights got into Nebraska territory on all four of its first-half possessions, yet came away with no points.
Rutgers is clearly still in this game but has to play a much, much cleaner second half to give itself a chance.
An 11-yard run from Janiran Bonner makes it 14-0 Nebraska.
The Cornhuskers started that possession at its own 28 after Marques Buford Jr. picked off Athan Kaliakmanis at the Nebraska 24.
Rutgers really hasn’t been able to find much success on either side of the ball so far today.
Dante Dowdell punches it in from one yard out and the Cornhuskers take a 7-0 lead on Rutgers.
Rutgers had fourth-and-4 at the Nebraska 25 and looked like it was going to attempt a field goal by Jai Patel. But the Scarlet Knights faked it, and holder Timmy Ward took the snap and attempted to run for a first down.
It didn’t fool Nebraska, which stopped Ward for no gain and a turnover on downs.
OUT
LB Mohamed Toure
OL Bryan Felter
OL Emir Stinette
QUESTIONABLE
WR Chris Long
WR Ian Strong
WR Naseim Brantley
CB Robert Longerbeam
S Flip Dixon
QB AJ Surace
RB Ja’shon Benjamin
OL Shedrick Rhodes
TV channel: FS1
Alex Faust will be on play-by-play alongside analyst Robert Smith.
Livestream: Fubo (free trial), SlingTV
Rutgers is a seven-point underdog, according to Action Network as of Oct. 4.
O/U: Over 40.5 (-111), Under 40.5 (-109)
Moneyline: Nebraska -262, Rutgers +210
Prediction: I think this will be another relatively low scoring, grind-it-out type of game. But I think the home-field advantage will help Nebraska and Dylan Raiola will make a big play late to lead the Cornhuskers past Rutgers in a close one. Nebraska 21, Rutgers 17.
Aug. 29: vs. Howard, W, 44-7
Sept. 7: vs. Akron, W, 49-17
Sept. 21: at Virginia Tech, W, 26-23
Sept. 27: vs. Washington, W, 21-18
Oct. 5: at Nebraska, noon/3:30 p.m./4 p.m.
Oct. 12: vs. Wisconsin, noon
Oct. 19: vs. UCLA, noon/3:30 p.m./4 p.m.
Oct. 25: at USC, 11 p.m.
Nov. 9: vs. Minnesota, TBA
Nov. 16: at Maryland, TBA
Nov. 23: vs. Illinois, TBA
Nov. 30: at Michigan State, TBA
Aug. 31: vs. UTEP, W, 40-7
Sept. 7: vs. Colorado, W, 28-10
Sept. 14: vs. Northern Iowa, W, 34-3
Sept. 20: vs Illinois, L, 31-24 (OT)
Sept. 28: at Purdue, W, 28-10
Oct. 5: vs. Rutgers, 4 p.m. ET
Oct. 19: at Indiana, TBA
Oct. 26: at Ohio State, TBA
Nov. 2: vs. UCLA, TBA
Nov. 16: at USC, TBA
Nov. 23: vs. Wisconsin, TBA
Nov. 29: at Iowa, TBA
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