Rutgers Faces Heartbreak in Last-Second Loss to Illinois

Rutgers suffered a heartbreaking 38-31 loss to Illinois, missing a chance to defeat a ranked opponent for the first time in 15 years. Leading 31-29 with 14 seconds left, Rutgers allowed a 40-yard touchdown on a fourth-and-13 play after a controversial timeout call by head coach Greg Schiano. This defeat ranks among the most painful in Rutgers' recent history, alongside other significant losses to teams like West Virginia and Louisville, due to its impact on their postseason hopes and Big Ten standing.