MINNEAPOLIS — After Rutgers ’ promising opening drive stalled near the goal line at Huntington Bank Stadium, the Scarlet Knights sent out one of the most reliable players on their roster.

Kicker Jai Patel had a rough game against Iowa the previous week, missing both of his field goal attempts, but considering he entered the season with the highest field goal percentage in program history (81.1%), the odds were high that he would bounce back.

Instead, his 22-yard attempt bounced off the arm of a Minnesota defender, leaving Rutgers without any points to show for a solid first possession.

While Patel converted all of his four PAT attempts, his lone field goal getting blocked proved costly in the 31-28 loss his team took against the Golden Gophers on Saturday .

Long term, his thre

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