Illinois, realizing a game-winning field goal was a pipe dream, put its offense back on the field, and — surprise, surprise — quarterback Luke Altmyer hit wide receiver Pat Bryant on a fourth-and-13, catch-and-run 40-yard touchdown with four seconds remaining in the game.

The flags atop the goalposts at the west end of SHI Stadium were flapping hard toward the east. This was a 20-mile-an-hour wind blowing into kicker Ethan Moczulski's face. Illinois already had whiffed on an extra point in this direction.

It was a wild, momentum-shifting game but No. 24 Illinois ultimately escaped with a 36-31 victory over Rutgers football.