Rutgers Scarlet Knights Football: A Storied History

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights football program boasts a rich and extensive history, marking its place as a pioneering force in American college football. Representing Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, the Scarlet Knights compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) as a member of the Big Ten Conference. Their journey through the landscape of college football is filled with landmark moments, legendary figures, and evolving traditions.

The Birthplace of College Football

Rutgers University holds a distinguished position in college football history as the site of the first intercollegiate football game. On November 6, 1869, Rutgers and Princeton University clashed on a small plot of land on Rutgers' campus in New Brunswick, New Jersey, in a contest that would lay the foundation for the sport. This inaugural game, more akin to a hybrid of soccer and rugby, allowed players to kick and bat the ball with their fists and hands. The Rutgers squad, then known as the Queensmen, was led by captain William J. Leggett, who distinguished his team by donning scarlet kerchiefs. Rutgers won the historic game by a score of 6-4.

A week later, Rutgers visited Princeton for a second matchup, where Princeton emerged victorious with a score of 8-0. A third game was planned but cancelled due to concerns that the games were interfering with the students' studies. This early rivalry between Rutgers and Princeton laid the groundwork for the enduring tradition of college football rivalries and continues to this day.

Early Coaching and Conference Affiliations

In the early years, J. Wilder Tasker led the Queensmen football program for seven seasons, from 1931 to 1937, achieving a record of 31-27-5. Tasker was succeeded by Harvey Harman, who coached from 1938 through the 1940s and into the 1950s. Notably, Rutgers did not field a team from 1942 to 1946 due to World War II. Starting in 1940, the 'conference champion' received the Little Brass Cannon.

John Bateman followed, coaching for 13 seasons and compiling a 73-51 record. In their first year under Bateman, the team achieved an 8-1 record. The 1961 Rutgers Scarlet Knights achieved a perfect 9-0 record, marking the program's first undefeated season and securing the Middle Atlantic Conference University Division championship. Center Alex Kroll, the team captain, was recognized as a consensus All-American. That year, Rutgers was one of only two major teams to achieve a perfect season, alongside Alabama.

From 1958 to 1961, Rutgers was a member of the Middle Atlantic Conference, winning the conference championship three times (1958, 1960, and 1961) and receiving the Wilmington Touchdown Club Trophy.

The Frank Burns Era: A Period of Sustained Success

After John Bateman's departure, Frank Burns was promoted to head coach. Under Burns, the Scarlet Knights experienced eight consecutive winning seasons, including a 9-2 campaign in 1975 and a perfect 11-0 season in 1976, followed by winning records of 8-3, 9-3, 8-3, and 7-4. In 1978, Rutgers made its first bowl game appearance in the Garden State Bowl, where they lost to Arizona State 34-18. However, consecutive 5-6 seasons in 1981 and 1982, and a 3-8 record in 1983, led to Burns' dismissal.

Transition to the Big Ten Conference

Rutgers' athletic landscape shifted significantly in November 2012 when the university, along with the University of Maryland, was formally accepted into the Big Ten Conference. This move, effective July 1, 2014, marked a new chapter for Rutgers football, offering increased visibility, competition, and resources.

The 2014 season marked Rutgers' first official season in the Big Ten. They finished with a 3-5 conference record, including their first Big Ten win over Michigan, and an overall record of 7-5. This record earned them a spot in the Quick Lane Bowl, where they defeated North Carolina 40-21, finishing their inaugural Big Ten season at 8-5. Following the season, the Scarlet Knights were awarded their first Lambert-Meadowlands Trophy, recognizing them as the top team in the eastern region.

Challenges and Changes in Leadership

Following the successful 2014 season, the Scarlet Knights faced challenges in 2015, finishing with a 4-8 record and a 1-7 Big Ten record. This downturn led to the appointment of Chris Ash as the new head football coach in December 2015.

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Ash's tenure saw mixed results, with a 2-10 record in 2016. In 2017, Rutgers won their first Big Ten game in two years, finishing the season 4-8. The team struggled in 2018, finishing 1-11. Ash was eventually replaced during the 2019 season.

The Return of Greg Schiano and a New Era

In December 2019, Rutgers welcomed back Greg Schiano as head coach, signing him to an 8-year, $32 million contract. Schiano's return marked a renewed commitment to revitalizing the program.

The 2020 season, impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, saw the Scarlet Knights play a Big Ten-only schedule. Despite the challenges, Rutgers matched its program high with three Big Ten victories and achieved academic success with 46 student-athletes recognized on the Fall Academic All-Big Ten list.

In 2021, Rutgers went 5-7 overall. Although they were not initially bowl-eligible, they were selected as the first bowl alternate based on their Academic Progress Rate (APR).

In 2023, Rutgers achieved its first winning season since 2014, winning seven games and matching its program high with three Big Ten wins. Rutgers' strength of schedule was ranked among the highest nationally.

Rivalries

Rutgers has a number of significant rivalries, reflecting its long history and competitive spirit.

Princeton

The Princeton and Rutgers rivalry is a historic one, dating back to the first college football game in 1869. The rivalry also includes events prior to the first football game, having played against each other in other sports, along with engaging in the Rutgers-Princeton Cannon War.

Maryland

Before both Maryland and Rutgers joined the Big Ten, the two schools played each other in nonconference play nine times between 1920 and 2009, with Maryland holding a 5-4 record. Through 2025, Maryland leads the rivalry 12-9, with a 7-5 record in the Big Ten, while Rutgers has won the previous two match ups. The conference designated Maryland-Rutgers as one of 12 protected annual matchups through at least the 2028 season.

Syracuse

The Syracuse-Rutgers football rivalry, fueled by their time in the Big East Conference, is marked by Syracuse's early dominance and Rutgers' resurgence under Greg Schiano in the 2000s.

Temple

The Temple-Rutgers football rivalry, known as the "Battle of the Brick", is a regional contest defined by proximity and history, intensified by conference shifts like the Big East era.

Notable Players

Rutgers has produced many key players throughout its history, including:

Paul Robeson: An All-American in 1917 and 1918, Robeson played in the early NFL after college.
Homer Hazel: A two-time All-American as an end in 1923 and a fullback in 1924.
Bill Austin: An AP All-American in 1958, Austin led the team to an 8-1 record.
Alex Kroll: The captain of the 1961 team and a physical presence on the field.
JJ Jennings: A running back who ranked third all-time at Rutgers with 2,935 rushing yards from 1971 to 1973.
Nate Toran: A defensive tackle who finished his career with 52 sacks, including 17 in 1976.

Uniform Traditions

Rutgers' traditional uniforms have featured red jerseys, white pants, and red helmets, with variations in style and logos over the years. The Block R logo, now considered the "traditional" team logo, debuted in 2001. From 2012 to 2016, the uniform featured a chrome helmet with red, black, and white jerseys based on the team's knight mascot.

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