Rutgers fools Ohio State with fake and unexpected ‘tush push’ to gain yards in second quarter of 35-16 win for the Buckeyes
- The Scarlet Knights were down a TD at their own 43-yard line at the time
- The smart move gave Rutgers momentum just before halftime, as the team led 9-7
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Rutgers may have lost to Ohio State this weekend, but the Scarlet Knights fooled their opponents in the first half with an unexpected fake “tush push” for significant yardage gains.
Trailing by a touchdown early in the second quarter with the football on their own 43-yard line, the home team found itself in a fourth-and-1 situation, so the Rutgers players decided to line up in an unusual formation in an attempt to keep the ball. possess.
Ohio State’s defense, on the other hand, didn’t quite understand what was about to happen and jumped over the pile of Rutgers offensive linesmen to sack quarterback Gavin Wimsatt, who they thought would run with the ball up the middle with an extra push. .
However, the Rutgers signal caller deceived everyone on the Buckeyes by holding the ball between his legs before handing it to running back Kyle Monangai.
With most of Ohio State’s defensive line already on the ground, Monangai ran 45 yards to pick up a first down and get the Scarlet Knights down the field, deep into their opponents’ territory.
The Rutgers players lined up in a formation that allowed them to make a fake “tush push” against Ohio State
The play fooled not only the Buckeyes, but also commentators in the booth, including CBS Sports broadcaster Tom McCarthy.
“Ooh, he messed with it, he messed with it… and Monangai picks it up!” McCarthy said after realizing Rutgers was actually still running with the ball.
“This was a play that happened. Monangai in the open field and Monangai in the 15 and he’s in the red zone.”
Rutgers failed to get a touchdown after that, but the tush push put them within field goal range for the first three points of the afternoon.
Rutgers pushed deep into Ohio State territory after the game, allowing them to score a field goal
The trick certainly got the Rutgers players moving as well, as the momentum shifted after the smart play and gave the Scarlet Knights hope for an upset victory.
Rutgers took a 9-7 lead into halftime.
That wasn’t the case, however, as Ohio State ultimately proved to be too much of an offensive powerhouse in the second half, winning the game 35-16.
Buckeyes QB Kyle McCord had three touchdowns for 189 passing yards.
The 21-year-old junior completed 19 of 26 passing attempts.