During Thursday’s Rate Bowl, Rutgers lined up for what appeared to be the Tush Push near the goal line. However, the play ended up being a distraction and college football fans debated on social media whether the play should have stood as called.
In the fake play, Scarlet Knights quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis pretended to dive into the players’ rugby scrum as if he were Jalen Hurts.
Instead of trailing his center 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 come with holding penalties.
There are others who believe in the non-scrum portion of the play, Rutgers senior Reggie Sutton holding up a Wildcats defender.
Either way, the score was not overturned with a penalty and the online conversation began.
Rutgers lined up for what appeared to be the Tush Push near the goal line, but it was fake.
Kansas State ended up winning the game over Rutgers even though the play went as scheduled.
“Big wait @theACC,” said one college football player, criticizing the officiating crew at an independent conference.
‘I like it.’
‘Holding 70!’
“That was a good play.”
A collection of social media posts loving or hating Rutgers’ fake Tush Push play
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 of the gridiron fans who liked the decision hoped the Eagles would implement this variation for their next game on Sunday against the Cowboys.