RUTGERS (0-0) at MICHIGAN STATE (0-0)
October 24, 2020 • 12:01 p.m. ET • Big Ten Network
Spartan Stadium • East Lansing, Mich.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers football travels to Michigan State to open its 2020 season Saturday at noon. It will mark the first game for the Scarlet Knights since welcoming back head coach Greg Schiano in December. Schiano led RU to a 7-4 record in season openers during his first 11 seasons leading the program. That includes a 19-14 victory over the Spartans to start the 2004 campaign.
 
This is the fifth time RU opens with a conference game, entering season openers with a 77-64-9 record all-time. The Oct. 24 start date is the latest beginning to a Rutgers season since 1943, an Oct. 30 win over Lehigh.

TV: BTN (FOX Sports App)
Play-By-Play: Lisa Byington
Analyst: Matt Millen
Sideline: Elise Menaker

Radio: RWJBarnabas Health Rutgers Sports Network
WCTC 1450-AM, WOR 710-AM, WENJ 97.3-FM, XM 387
Play-By-Play: Chris Carlin
Analyst: Ray Lucas
Analyst: Eric LeGrand
Sideline: Anthony Fucilli
Engineer: Paul Shrager
Pregame: 11 a.m. (Marc Malusis & Julian Pinnix-Odrick)

 
 

Notable Season Openers

Rutgers 38, Buffalo 3 (Aug. 30, 2007)
Rutgers cruised to an easy 38-3 victory over Buffalo as Tiquan Underwood set a school record with 248 yards receiving. The New Jersey native hauled in 10 receptions on the night, including a pair of touchdowns in the 35-point victory.
 
Rutgers 21, North Carolina 16 (Sept. 2, 2006)
Rutgers' historic 2006 season began with an All-America performance by Ray Rice as the sophomore running back rushed for 201 yards to lead the Scarlet Knights to a 21-16 victory on the road in Chapel Hill. The victory propelled Rutgers to a 9-0 start in 2006 en route to an overall record of 11-2 and a 12th-place finish in the final national rankings.
 
Rutgers 19, Michigan St. 14 (Sept. 4, 2004)
In front of an ABC television audience and a sell-out crowd at Rutgers Stadium, Rutgers stopped Michigan State 19-14 to open the 2004 season. Jeremy Ito connected on four field goals and Ryan Neill returned an interception 31 yards for a touchdown in the win.
 
Rutgers 31, Buffalo 15 (Aug. 30, 2001)
The first game of the Greg Schiano era finished in the win column for the Scarlet Knights. Dennis Thomas rushed for 177 yards on 30 carries and Ryan Cubit threw for 157 yards and two touchdowns in his first game as a Scarlet Knight to help secure the victory.
 
Rutgers 20, Boston College 13 (Aug. 31, 1991)
Rutgers and Boston College played the inaugural Big East conference game as the Scarlet Knights defeated the Eagles 20-13 at Rutgers Stadium. Bill Bailey scored the first touchdown in league history just 1:17 into the game while Tom Tarver threw for 275 yards and a touchdown.
 
Rutgers 17, No. 15 Michigan St. 13 (Sept. 10, 1988)
The 1988 season began with a bang as Rutgers upset Michigan State 17-13 in East Lansing. Scott Erney completed 25-of-36 passes for 239 yards and Doug Kokoskie recovered an MSU fumble at the RU 10-yard line with 5:32 remaining to seal the upset over the defending Rose Bowl champions.
 
Rutgers 28, No. 5 Florida 28 (Sept. 14, 1985)
Backup quarterback Joe Gagliardi came off the bench to rally Rutgers and completed a two-point conversion pass to Curtis Stephens with 35 seconds remaining as the Scarlet Knights, trailing by 21 points at one point, tied fifth-ranked Florida, 28-28, in Gainesville.
 
Rutgers 16, Princeton 13 (Sept. 30, 1961)
An 83-yard pass play from Bill Speranza to Lee Curley, and a two-point run by Dave Brody with 3:27 to play gave Rutgers a 16-7 edge en route to a 16-13 victory over Princeton, Rutgers' fourth straight win over the Tigers. The win was the first as the Scarlet Knights finished the 1961 season 9-0, the first undefeated season in school history.
 
Rutgers 6, Princeton 4 (Nov. 6, 1869)
The first college football game was played at College Field in New Brunswick as Rutgers came away with a 6-4 victory.
 

Versus Michigan State

• Michigan State leads the series, 8-3, dating back to 1988. This will be the seventh Big Ten meeting between the programs and the seventh overall matchup at Spartan Stadium.
• Rutgers earned wins in East Lansing in 1988 and 1991.
• Two of the signature victories in school history for the Scarlet Knights have come against Michigan State. Rutgers opened the 1988 campaign with a 17-13 victory over the 15th-ranked and defending Rose Bowl-champion Spartans at Spartan Stadium. In the win, Eric Young caught nine passes for 124 yards, including the game's first touchdown on a 61-yard pass from Scott Erney. In front of an ABC television audience and a sellout crowd at Rutgers Stadium, Rutgers stopped Michigan State, 19-14, to start the 2004 season. Jeremy Ito connected on four field goals, Brian Leonard rushed for 150 yards and Ryan Neill returned an interception 31 yards for a score in the win. RU held the ball for 40:14, the second-highest time of possession for the Scarlet Knights in the Schiano era.
• Rutgers game highs versus Michigan State:
Rushing Yards: Brian Leonard, 150 (2004)
Passing Yards: Ryan Hart, 266 (2003)
Receiving Yards: Leonte Carroo, 134 (2015)
 

Up Next

Rutgers returns to New Jersey to face Indiana in its home opener at SHI Stadium Oct. 31. The game, presented by PNC Bank, is set to start at 3:30 p.m. on Big Ten Network.
 

 
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