Oct. 15, 2016 Box Score | Quotes | Notes | Photo Gallery 
24 
7 High Point Solutions Stadium | Attendance: 42,640
PDF Book | Season Stats
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Rutgers football dropped its homecoming matchup against Illinois, 24-7, Saturday afternoon at High Point Solutions Stadium. Junior running back Robert Martin led RU (2-5, 0-4) in rushing with 95 yards on 16 attempts, while junior quarterback Giovanni Rescigno went 10-for-18 passing for 120 yards and one touchdown. Illinois (2-4, 1-2) running back Kendrick Foster scored two touchdowns and rushed for 108 yards.
The Scarlet Knights pulled within 10 points of the Fighting Illini with 14:56 remaining in the game, but Illinois stole away the momentum midway through the fourth quarter on a deflected pass turned pick-six by Darius Mosley. Mosely snagged the ball out of the air and ran it 78 yards for touchdown, giving the Illini a 24-7 advantage with 9:32 play.
Rutgers got on the board on the first play of the fourth quarter, as Rescigno connected with tight end senior Nick Arcidiacono in the back of the end zone with a jump pass over defenders. Rolling left, Rescigno engaged defenders and faked a run, leaving Arcidiacoco open for the score. The touchdown pass completed a seven-play, 86-yard drive and made it 17-7 with 14:56 remaining.
The Illini distanced themselves in the third quarter, tacking on a 37-yard field goal from Chase McLaughlin and Kendrick Foster's second touchdown of the game.
Illinois held a 7-0 lead entering the halftime locker room, forcing three RU fumbles to hold the Scarlet Knights off the board. Foster scampered for a five-yard rush with 8:47 left in the second quarter to make it a 7-0 ballgame.
Rutgers travels to Minneapolis next Saturday to face Minnesota at noon on ESPNU.
