College football team’s unusual new play sparks heated debate among fans
During Thursday’s Rate Bowl, Rutgers lined up for what appeared to be the Tush Push near the goal line. However, the play ultimately became a distraction with college football fans on social media debating whether the play should have been left as it was intended.
In the mock play, Scarlet Knights quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis pretended to dive into the rugby scrum of players as if he were Jalen Hurts.
Instead of following his center’s back into the end zone, Kaliakmanis handed the ball to Antwan Raymond, who went untouched by the Kansas State defense into the end zone for a touchdown.
Some fans have claimed that since Kaliakmanis is not the ball carrier, the scrum should have gone to penalties.
There are others who believe in the non-scrum part of the game, Rutgers senior Reggie Sutton pins down a Wildcats defender.
Regardless, the score was not overturned with a penalty and the online conversation began.
Rutgers lined up for what looked like the Tush Push near the goal line, but it was a fake
Kansas State ultimately won the game against Rutgers, despite the game being tied
“Major hold @theACC,” said a college football player, criticizing the officiating team of a nonpartisan conference.
“I like it.”
‘Hold at 70!’
“That was a good play call.”
A collection of social media posts loving or hating Rutgers’ fake Tush Push game
Despite the Scarlet Knights’ touchdown, the Wildcats overcame a 17-point deficit to win the game 44-41.
Kansas State scored four of the game’s final five touchdowns, with the fake Tush Push being the only one to break the streak.
Some gridiron fans who liked the call expected the Eagles to break this variation for their next game on Sunday against the Cowboys.