Kyle Monangai ran for a go-ahead 21-yard touchdown with 8:21 remaining as host Rutgers erased an 18-point fourth-quarter deficit and rallied past Michigan State 27-24 on Saturday afternoon at Piscataway, N.J.
Trailing 24-6 through three quarters, the Scarlet Knights (5-2, 2-2 Big Ten) scored three times in the first 6:39 of the final quarter and took a 27-24 lead on Monangai’s TD when the running back eluded two tacklers and streaked down the left side.
Monangai’s score occurred after Michigan State’s second special teams miscue of the fourth quarter.
On the kickoff after Isaiah Washington’s 4-yard TD with 8:30 left, Michigan State returner Tyrell Henry did not signal for a fair catch. The ball hit the ground and bounced into the arms of Rutgers’ Thomas Amankwaa, setting up favorable field possession for the Scarlet Knights.
Before Washington’s TD, the Scarlet Knights moved within 24-13 when Aaron Young recovered a fumbled snap by Michigan State punter Michael O’Shaughnessy in the end zone. Following an illegal formation penalty against the Spartans, the snap sailed out of O’Shaughnessy’s hands.
Monangai ran 24 times and gained 107 of his 148 yards in the fourth quarter as the Scarlet Knights improved to 5-0 at home for the first time since 2006. They pulled off their largest fourth quarter comeback since erasing a 25-point deficit in 2015 at Indiana.
Rutgers quarterback Gavin Wimsatt completed 13 of 28 passes for 181 yards while surviving two interceptions and three sacks. Jai Patel made two field goals in the first half before Rutgers stormed back.
Michigan State (2-4, 0-3) lost its fourth straight under interim coach Harlon Bennett and committed three more turnovers, upping its season total to 15.
Michigan State’s Katin Hauser threw two TD passes and ran for another in his first career start after replacing struggling Noah Kim. Hauser completed 18-of-29 for 133 yards.
Hauser threw a 13-yard TD to Montorie Foster Jr. on Michigan State’s opening drive and a 4-yard TD to Tre Mosely late in the third for a 24-6 lead. He also had a 12-yard TD run late in the first following a Rutgers turnover.
–Field Level Media
