PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) — Rutgers University officials say a fall at the football stadium that left a man in critical condition was “accidental.”

Spokesman E.J. Miranda told The Home News Tribune of East Brunswick there’s no indication Nicholas Amabile was pushed down a stairwell near halftime Saturday.

The 20-year-old Florham Park resident, who is not a student, sustained head injuries in the fall.

Anthony Pryer told The Star-Ledger of Newark his friend jumped up on the staircase rail and tried to slide down. Pryor said Amabile fell about 30 feet.

The accident occurred during the Big East conference game in which Syracuse beat Rutgers 13-10 on a last-minute field goal.

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.

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