The Illini escaped unscathed Saturday, but the "W" may be the only letter grade they like from the Rutgers game

The Illini (8-3, 5-3) flew over 800 miles to take on the Scarlet Knights (6-5, 3-5) for one of their final games of the season. In their first road matchup in nearly a month, the Illini endured a whirlwind of trials and tribulations but ultimately stayed resilient.

One decision that backfired. In the end, Rutgers was left with a heartbreaking loss. This defeat certainly won’t ruin the season – the Scarlet Knights are still bowl bound, and they still have a chance to beat a very mediocre Michigan State team in the regular-season finale to earn a program-defining seventh win.