Rutgers University: The Birthplace of College Football
Rutgers University holds the unique and celebrated title of "The Birthplace of College Football." The program's story begins at the very dawn of the sport, cementing its place in the opening chapter of college football history.
On November 6, 1869, Rutgers hosted the College of New Jersey, now Princeton, in New Brunswick. The home team won the contest 6-4 in what history recognizes as the first-ever college football game.
While the program did not maintain the early dominance of its Ivy League rivals, it produced one of the sport's most important figures in Paul Robeson, a two-time All-American in the 1910s who went on to become a world-renowned artist and civil rights leader.
In the modern era, coach Greg Schiano engineered a stunning turnaround, transforming the Scarlet Knights from a struggling program into a nationally respected winner. From the first game to the modern era, Rutgers provides a thread that runs through the entire tapestry of college football history. 🏈
