Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, has a rich athletic history, with its teams competing in the NCAA Division I. The Rutgers Scarlet Knights have developed several rivalries over the years, particularly in football and basketball. These rivalries have been fueled by geographic proximity, conference affiliations, and memorable matchups. In this guide, we will delve into the history and notable matchups of Rutgers' most significant rivalries.
Introduction to Rutgers Rivalries
Rutgers’ athletic programs have been a part of several conferences, including the Big East, the American Athletic Conference, and currently, the Big Ten Conference. These conference affiliations have led to the development of natural rivalries with neighboring schools and teams within the same conference. The Scarlet Knights’ most notable rivalries are with teams from the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions.
Rutgers-Princeton Rivalry
The Rutgers-Princeton rivalry is one of the oldest in college athletics, dating back to 1869. The two schools are located in New Jersey, with Rutgers in New Brunswick and Princeton in Princeton. This rivalry is often referred to as the “Battle of the Birthplace of College Football” since the first intercollegiate football game was played between Rutgers and Princeton in 1869. Although the two teams do not compete in the same conference, they still meet periodically in non-conference matchups.
| Game | Year | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Rutgers vs. Princeton | 1869 | Rutgers 6, Princeton 4 |
| Rutgers vs. Princeton | 2018 | Rutgers 65, Princeton 61 |
Rutgers-Penn State Rivalry
The Rutgers-Penn State rivalry is a relatively new one, with the two teams first meeting in 1918. However, the rivalry gained significant traction when Rutgers joined the Big Ten Conference in 2014, becoming a divisional opponent of Penn State. The two schools are located in neighboring states, with Rutgers in New Jersey and Penn State in Pennsylvania. This geographic proximity and conference affiliation have contributed to a growing rivalry between the two teams.
Rutgers-Maryland Rivalry
The Rutgers-Maryland rivalry is another notable one, with the two teams competing in various sports, including football and basketball. The two schools joined the Big Ten Conference together in 2014, which has led to an increase in matchups between the two teams. The rivalry is often referred to as the “Battle of the Mid-Atlantic” due to the schools’ locations in the Mid-Atlantic region.
| Game | Year | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Rutgers vs. Maryland | 2014 | Maryland 37, Rutgers 0 |
| Rutgers vs. Maryland | 2020 | Rutgers 27, Maryland 24 |
Rutgers’ Other Rivalries
In addition to its rivalries with Princeton, Penn State, and Maryland, Rutgers has other notable rivalries with teams such as Temple, Syracuse, and UConn. These rivalries are often fueled by geographic proximity, conference affiliations, and memorable matchups. Rutgers’ athletic programs have a rich history of competing against teams from the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions.
Rutgers-Temple Rivalry
The Rutgers-Temple rivalry is a significant one, with the two teams competing in various sports, including football and basketball. The two schools are located in neighboring states, with Rutgers in New Jersey and Temple in Pennsylvania. This geographic proximity and past conference affiliations have contributed to a long-standing rivalry between the two teams.
| Game | Year | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Rutgers vs. Temple | 2013 | Rutgers 35, Temple 10 |
| Rutgers vs. Temple | 2019 | Rutgers 61, Temple 51 |
What is the oldest rivalry in Rutgers’ athletic history?
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The oldest rivalry in Rutgers’ athletic history is the Rutgers-Princeton rivalry, which dates back to 1869.
Which conference does Rutgers currently compete in?
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Rutgers currently competes in the Big Ten Conference, which it joined in 2014.
What is the name of the rivalry between Rutgers and Maryland?
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The rivalry between Rutgers and Maryland is often referred to as the “Battle of the Mid-Atlantic” due to the schools’ locations in the Mid-Atlantic region.
