NBC graduate holder of biggest field goal in Rutgers history
By: Sean Moylan
Last Thursday night (Nov. 9) at Rutgers Stadium, Anthony Cali, arguably the greatest quarterback in the history of Northern Burlington County Regional High School, was the holder on what was perhaps the most important field goal in the history of New Jersey college football.
In a battle of unbeatens, Jeremy Ito’s 28-yard 3-pointer not only lifted Rutgers to an improbable come-from-behind 28-25 victory over Louisville, it also kept the Scarlet Knights’ chances for a national title very much alive.
Facing all that pressure, Cali managed to grab the snap and get the ball down in perfect position for Ito’s now famous boot.
"I was just doing one of my jobs. When you’re out there you can’t put any one play on a pedestal," said Cali, whose focus never wavered.
Charlie Pirrello, who coached Cali’s entire high school football career at NBC and who now is leading Holy Cross on an amazing playoff run, never had any doubts that his former star would get the job done.
"I was thinking to myself that they couldn’t find a better player to do it (hold the ball)," added Pirrello, who remains very close with Cali and still talks with him once a week.
Yet for brief moment, it appeared that Ito’s magical kick would never happen because he missed his first attempt at it. But there was a reason for the miss, as a Louisville player burst through the left side of the line of scrimmage well before the ball ever was snapped.
"I saw out of the corner of my eyes that one of their guys was way off sides. And I thought that Jeremy’s (Ito) eyes (were pulled in that direction too). It may have been the reason he missed the first kick," added Cali.
A fifth-year senior, Cali is counted on by Rutgers’ head coach Greg Schiano to be a leader on special teams. So after Ito’s initial try, Cali was quick to offer his teammate support.
"I told him to get away from everybody and to refocus on making the kick," said Cali, who also made a tackle and was the holder on Ito’s 46-yard field goal, which had knotted the game at 25-25 earlier in the fourth quarter.
Even after the eventual game-winning kick went straight through the uprights, Cali and his teammates kept their composure because they knew there were still 13 seconds left to play in the contest and that the team needed to stay ready. Thinking the game was over following the ensuing kickoff, the enthusiastic Rutgers fans poured onto the field a bit prematurely. Silently, Cali, thinking like a coach, worried about getting a 15-yard penalty. But with one quick public address announcement, the Scarlet Knights’ fans reversed direction and cleared the field in a few seconds.
"It was some good athleticism by our fans to get off the field that quickly," said the Scarlet Knights’ special team’s standout and tight end. After the two great teams played out the final two seconds, the stadium went wild.
"It was a mob scene. Everybody was patting me on the shoulders and going nuts," said Cali, who kept his equipment on so it couldn’t be lost or stolen. "It’s nuts being on the cover of USA Today."
After the game Cali hung out with friends and family in a more calm get-together, but not before listening to his head coach speak.
"Coach Schiano said he was proud of how we kept battling back (from a 25-7 deficit) and how we kept on chopping to come out with a win," Cali noted.
When Cali came to Rutgers in 2002, he was NBC’s career leader in touchdowns (25), yards passing (2,691) and completions (186). Gifted with a gun for an arm and a 6-foot 5-inch frame, he looked like he’d be the perfect quarterback. But college football is all about making adjustments and helping one’s team.
"Quarterback was the plan when I started, but plans changed. I’m happy to be playing here," said Cali, who from the start believed in Coach Schiano’s plan to revitalize the program.
For Pirrello, Cali’s dedication to Rutgers football came as no surprise. "Anthony is such an engaging young man. Having Anthony as a player was a joy. He was everything you want as a football player. He’s very committed to the team and the program. He’s someone who puts team above himself."
He’s also tough. After breaking a bone in his foot a couple of weeks ago, Cali, who loves the thrill of running down the field and looking for someone to redirect or tackle on special teams, never stopped playing.
"I’ve been playing the last two games with it. It’s been a chore, but I’ll do anything to help this team win," said Cali. "I always like to think of myself as a tough guy mentally. I want to be part of something special. But you don’t want to push it too hard."
Jon Reising, Northern Burlington’s current head coach and the school’s running back coach when Cali played, has also followed his career at Rutgers closely and immediately understood the magnitude of last Thursday’s game.
"I’m really happy for him. When he first went there the program was not what it is today. As a high school football coach, that win doesn’t just help Rutgers, it makes all New Jersey sports respectable."
Although he is now totally focused on Saturday’s game versus Cincinnati, Cali knows that the win over Louisville was the first major stepping stone toward a possible championship.
"That’s the goal we’ve been working toward all winter and summer to be National Championships," said Cali, who will graduate with a criminal justice degree in January. After graduation Cali plans to keep on playing football. He’ll go to Rutgers’ Pro Day, where he hopes to find a spot on someone’s special teams squad. But the Louisville game will always hold a special place in his heart.
"I’ve been fortunate enough to play in a lot of stadiums in front of a lot of huge crowds, but none rivaled the crowd on Thursday night," said Cali, who thought 40,000-plus fans sounded more like 80,000. But in the end, they were all united as one beautiful sea of red.

