The scene at Rutgers University’s High Point Solutions Stadium in Piscataway shortly before kickoff of the Nov. 14 game with the University of Nebraska. Most of the South end zone reserved for students was empty. Unless there is a shortage of eligible teams to fill the 80 slots in 40 postseason college bowls, Rutgers University will not be a participant for the first time since 2009.
Following a 31-14 loss to the University of Nebraska at High Point Solutions Stadium Nov. 14, the 3-7 Scarlet Knights can finish no better than 5-7; that is, if they defeat a pair of 2-8 teams — Army this Saturday, Nov. 21, and the University of Maryland on Nov. 28.
Generally, the nation’s top conferences are contracted to send teams to specific bowls based on their place in the standings, assuming they have won at least six games. If, per chance, not enough teams meet that minimum requirement, the next selection criterion is to choose from a pool of teams with at least five victories that are ranked according to their Academic Progress Rate (APR). Based on what transpires the next two weeks, including if Rutgers wins its last two games, the Knights could be picked to play in a lower-tier bowl.
The loss to Nebraska was the Knights’ fourth straight and one of the most disheartening of the season. The Cornhuskers can usually count on finishing with double digit wins but arrived in Piscataway with a 4-6 record. If ever the Scarlet Knights had a reasonable chance to earn a much-needed victory, especially with home-field advantage, this was the game.
Unfortunately, things started miserably for Rutgers, as Nebraska jumped out to a 21-0 lead, which it maintained until three minutes were left in the first half. That’s when Rutgers’ Anthony Cioffi picked off a Nebraska pass and returned the interception 40 yards to the Huskers’ 5-yard line. Shortly thereafter, the Knights punched it in the end zone to narrow the lead to 21-7 at the half.
Rutgers reduced the margin to 21-14 in the third quarter following Kevin Wilkens’ interception, which he returned to the Nebraska 35-yard line. With the momentum now clearly in Rutgers’ favor, the Knights appeared to halt the Huskers on their next possession after a long third-down pass was batted down. However, an official flagged a Rutgers defender for yanking a Husker jersey that resulted in a 10-yard penalty and an automatic first down.
Opportunistic Nebraska promptly capitalized on its good fortune by racing down the field and scoring a touchdown to extend its lead to 28-14, and the Huskers sealed the verdict when they converted a field goal on the second play of the fourth quarter.
Following the game, after providing an update on the status of injured center Derrick Nelson, who was taken to Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center, head coach Kyle Flood, as he usually does, spoke in generalities about the game, summarizing what obviously took place on the field with observations like “it’s disappointing,” “we’re not taking advantage of opportunities,” and the team needs to “continue working on things and developing more consistency.”
On Nelson’s injury, which occurred with under a minute left when he collided with teammate Chris Mullen after a Nebraska interception, Flood stated the junior center had feeling in all his extremities and was taken to the hospital as a precaution.
After a battery of tests, Nelson was released from the hospital later that evening.
Not to be compared to the aftermath of the injury suffered by Rutgers player Eric LeGrand in 2010 when a collision with an Army kick returner left him partially paralyzed, the scene near the Rutgers sideline brought back memories of that tragic event. For 15 minutes, coaches, players and fans silently prayed or simply watched as emergency personnel carefully immobilized Nelson on a flat board and transported him to the hospital in an ambulance.
The injury was just the punctuation mark on what was, as Flood reiterated, a disappointing day. As for home-field advantage, there wasn’t any. Scarlet Knights faithful endured constant loud cheering by what must have been thousands of Nebraska fans who made the trip to Piscataway.
In contrast, the few hundred members of the usually vocal and animated student body were noticeably subdued in the near-empty South end zone. When it became clear which team would win, even the students, along with most other Rutgers fans, filed out of the stadium.