Luke Altmyer’s Last-Second Heroics Lift No. 24 Illinois Over Rutgers in Thrilling Finish
PISCATAWAY, N.J. — If you’re a fan of heart-stopping college football, Saturday’s showdown between No. 24 Illinois and Rutgers was the game for you. With just four seconds left on the clock, Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer connected with wide receiver Pat Bryant for a jaw-dropping 40-yard touchdown pass, sealing a wild 38-31 victory for the Fighting Illini. This wasn’t just a game—it was a roller-coaster ride of emotions that left fans on the edge of their seats.
Illinois (8-3, 5-3 Big Ten) found themselves trailing 31-30 with just 14 seconds remaining. That’s when head coach Bret Bielema made a gutsy call that will be talked about for years. Initially, Illinois sent out long kicker Ethan Moczulski to attempt a desperation 58-yard field goal. The kick was wide left and fell about 15 yards short, but Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano had called a timeout just before the snap, nullifying the attempt. That timeout turned out to be a game-changer.
With a second chance to rethink their strategy, Illinois pulled Moczulski off the field and sent their offense back out. What happened next was nothing short of magic. Altmyer dropped back and fired a pass to Bryant, who caught the ball at the 22-yard line, made a sharp cut across the field, and sprinted into the end zone untouched. The play capped off a game that featured three lead changes in the final 3:07, a testament to the drama and unpredictability of college football.
How It All Unfolded
The final moments of the game were nothing short of chaotic. After Bryant’s touchdown, Rutgers attempted a miracle on the ensuing kickoff. In a desperate attempt to keep the play alive, Rutgers players passed the ball around in the end zone, but the sequence ended disastrously when the ball was thrown out of bounds, resulting in a safety for Illinois. The final score: 38-31.
Altmyer finished the game 12-of-26 passing for 249 yards and two touchdowns, while Bryant had a career day with seven receptions for 197 yards. Altmyer also showcased his dual-threat ability earlier in the game, scoring on a 30-yard touchdown run with 3:07 left to give Illinois a 30-24 lead. He then connected with Josh McCray for a successful two-point conversion.
Rutgers’ Resilience
Rutgers (6-5, 3-5) didn’t go down without a fight. Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis led a 10-play, 65-yard drive late in the fourth quarter, highlighted by a clutch 15-yard run on fourth down. He capped the drive with a 13-yard touchdown pass to running back Kyle Monangai, tying the game at 31-30 with just 1:08 remaining. Kaliakmanis had an impressive outing, completing 18-of-36 passes for 174 yards and two touchdowns while adding 84 rushing yards and two scores on 13 carries.
Monangai, meanwhile, etched his name into Rutgers history. With a four-yard carry early in the second quarter, he became just the third player in program history to rush for 3,000 career yards, joining legends Ray Rice and Terrell Willis. Monangai finished the game with a career-high 28 carries for 122 yards.
Key Moments and Milestones
- Illinois’ Comeback: Aidan Laughery’s 8-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter set the stage for the dramatic finish.
- Rutgers’ Grit: Kaliakmanis’ 2-yard touchdown pass to Ian Strong in the final seconds of the first half and his 1-yard rushing touchdown early in the fourth quarter gave Rutgers a 24-15 lead.
- Halftime Drama: The start of the second half was delayed due to a brief scuffle between the teams. While no punches were thrown, penalties were assessed to both sides.
For Illinois, the victory keeps their hopes alive for their first nine-win season since 2007 and a shot at a prestigious bowl game. For Rutgers, the loss stings, but the team can take pride in their resilience and the historic milestone achieved by Monangai.
What’s Next?
As the regular season winds down, Illinois will look to build on this momentum and secure their place among the Big Ten’s elite. Meanwhile, Rutgers will aim to regroup and finish strong, knowing they’ve already clinched bowl eligibility with six wins.
One thing is for sure: games like this are why we love college football. The drama, the unpredictability, and the unforgettable moments make it a sport like no other. Hats off to both teams for delivering a game that fans won’t soon forget.
Originally Written by: Associated Press
