THE SPORTSMISTAKES RECORD

Rutgers Spike on Fourth Down

2015 • NCAA • Player Mistake • Down Awareness
Rutgers Spike on Fourth Down — SportsMistakes artwork

THE STORY

In the closing seconds of Rutgers' 2015 game against Michigan State, Rutgers quarterback Chris Laviano attempted to stop the clock by spiking the football. The problem was that it was fourth down, so the spike resulted in a turnover on downs and effectively ended Rutgers' final possession. Michigan State won 31-24.

TEAMS / PEOPLE: Rutgers, Michigan State

WHY IT MATTERS

The play became a memorable example of a situational-awareness mistake, as an attempt to preserve time instead surrendered possession and ended Rutgers' opportunity to tie the game.

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