Rutgers' Greg Schiano defends timeout that led to shocking Hail Mary loss on Senior Day

Abbey says it's not right to feel unsafe on campus. (The Image Direct for Fox News Digital)

Rutgers football head coach Greg Schiano called a timeout Saturday, seconds before a 58-yard field goal attempt by Illinois kicker Ethan Moczulski. Rutgers led 31-30, and it's a score that would have held after Moczulski's kick sailed wide left — if not for Schiano's timeout. 

The timeout voided the play, and Illinois head coach Bret Bielema was able to see how the wind affected the kick from the sideline.  Bielema put his offense back on the field instead of trying the kick again, and his team scored the game-winning touchdown on a 40-yard catch by Pat Bryant. Illinois won 38-31. 

Schiano had to answer for the timeout after being blamed by fans for one of the most shocking and avoidable losses of the college football season. 

"Retrospectively, I wish hadn't," Schiano told reporters of the decision to call the timeout. 

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Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano reacts during the first half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at SHI Stadium. (Vincent Carchietta)

Still, Schiano offered a defense of the decision. 

"But you know, I'm not going to sit here and say I wish I hadn't because it didn't work out. If it worked out, I would sit here and say, 'Yeah, I'm glad I did.' I've said before. It was a good call because it worked. I've stood up here and said it's a bad call because it didn't work. That's the way it goes. You have about 12 seconds to make decisions, and you make them," Schiano said. 

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At the time, Rutgers was preparing for a potential kick from a player whose career-long