The Rutgers Scarlet Knights unloaded the playbook in Thursday's Rate Bowl against Kansas State, but the Wildcats were left stumped at various points in the game.
After being forced into the red zone on a 67-yard punt return in the fourth quarter, Rutgers drove the ball to the 1-yard line, offering a different take on the Philadelphia Eagles' pushing play.
On first-and-goal from the 1-yard line, they ran a push but failed, then appeared to be preparing to rush and run again.
However, instead of actually running the ball, quarterback Ahsan Kaliakmanis took the snap and passed the ball backwards to running back Antwan Raymond, who ran the ball to the outside and ran the ball to the outside. He scored a touchdown with a jet sweep. The score gave Rutgers a 41-29 lead with 14:02 remaining.
The play was so confusing for Kansas State that linebacker Desmond Parnell looked at the referee and pointed at the running back, apparently indicating he was expecting an illegal play flag. It seems so.
This is a legitimate touchdown, and that sound you hear is the sound of coaches around NFL and college games no doubt opening their notebooks and writing it down for future use.
Rutgers blew a 17-point lead in Thursday's game and lost 44-41, ending the season with a 7-6 record.
NFL fans have long complained about the controversial play that the Eagles made famous, sneaking behind a brutal offensive line and gaining two yards per play seemingly at will. .
There was some discussion about possibly banning the play, but the NFL allowed its use.
Other teams also tried to use it, but none were as successful as the Eagles.
The Eagles actually used a fake tush push as well. Including games against the Saints this season..
