PISCATAWAY — One of the most anticipated days on the calendar for college football players occurred annually in early July for 20 years. That's when the newest edition of the popular NCAA Football game would be released by Electronic Arts.

But this summer, the date passed and the shelves of Best Buy didn't stock the latest edition of the game. NCAA Football was discontinued as a result of a lawsuit EA settled in May for $40 million for improperly using the likenesses of players in video games. Former Rutgers quarterback Ryan Hart was a plaintiff in the case.

While many college football players believe they should receive financial compensation for the use of their likenesses, being in the video game was better than money to some.

"Oh, I'm sick. It hurts," sophomore wide receiver Carlton Agudosi said. "I know they said they wanted to pay us for it, but honestly, it's an honor just to be on the game because your whole life you grow up playing it. I don't really care if I get paid as long as I'm on it."

Video games are a pastime of college football training camps. They serve as the perfect outlet for players looking to unwind after long days on the practice field.

"I used to stay up all night and play 'The Road to Glory' and create a high school player and pick a school and bring him up through the ranks," senior defensive end Dave Milewski said. "I played linebacker and D-line, so I'm always a quarterback or a running back in those games."

While Milewski often used the game to live out his skill-position fantasies, like most players, he also enjoyed the surreal opportunity to control the virtual version of himself.

"I was hurt a couple of years so I wasn't even in the game," Milewski said. "But the one year I was in the game, I was No. 31 and I was behind (former star linebacker) Steve Beauharnais. When I got a chance to play, I would just sub him out and put myself in the game."

Players often gripe about their low rating in the game, but Agudosi said his representative was particularly inaccurate.

"They had me as a split tight end," Agudosi said. "I was only in about two packages."

Agudosi quickly rectified the error by inserting his player into the lineup in every package.

Teammate Bryan Leoni had no such opportunity last year. The former walk-on offensive lineman wasn't included in the game early in his career. But after cracking the two-deep last year, he figured he'd make the cut.

"My cousin got it," Leoni said. "As soon as he got it he called me and said, 'Bryan, I got the game! I'm about to play right now. Oh, you're not in it.' That would have been really cool, but it is what it is."

With the game not being released this year, the disappointment only grew for Leoni, who is competing for the starting right tackle job.

"My biggest thing was last year I was supposed to be in the game, and I wasn't in the game," Leoni said. "So this year I definitely would have been in the game and they shorted me on it."

Not every player had complaints about the video game. Left guard Kaleb Johnson was proud of his player's 93 overall ranking.

"I don't like to brag, but I was the best person on the team the past two years running," Johnson said. "I was a little excited about that."

Some players won't miss the NCAA Football series. Senior cornerback Gareef Glashen is an avid gamer, but he spends his time playing FIFA, NBA2K and Need for Speed. When Glashen picks up the controller, he puts down the football.

"I played like two games, and that's it because I don't really like playing football games," Glashen said. "Football is what I do all day, so I try to get away from it."

Johnson, who boasts that he is the best NCAA Football player on the team, will find other games to play against his teammates.

"We're all competitors," Johnson said. "I guess we're going to have to pick it up in other games like Madden and NBA2K."

But playing other games and getting some money from the settlement offer little consolation for Agudosi.

"I always look forward to the NCAA release," Agudosi said. "That was my favorite game growing up, even more than Madden. So, when I heard that we're getting like $300 checks, I'd rather have the game and be on the game. That's going to be spent on gas money. I'd rather be on the video game."

Dan Duggan may be reached at dduggan@nj.com. Follow him on Twitter @DDuggan21. Find NJ.com Rutgers Football on Facebook.