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Rutgers Football at MLB Venues

Rutgers football has a long history of playing games in Major League Baseball venues dating back to a contest versus Washington & Lee at the Polo Grounds in 1914. It has happened 52 times, including seven bowls. Below is a listing of each ballpark with the number of total RU games played and the year of the team's last visit. Credit to newspapers.com for assorted clipping shown.

  • Yankee Stadium (New York): 13, 2023
  • Tropicana Field (St. Petersburg, Fla.): 1, 2009
  • Rogers Centre (Toronto): 1, 2008
  • Chase Field (Phoenix): 2, 2024
  • Veterans Stadium (Philadelphia): 12, 2001
  • Three Rivers Stadium (Pittsburgh): 1, 2000
  • Riverfront Stadium (Cincinnati): 1, 1983
  • Nickerson Field (Boston): 3, 1975
  • Polo Grounds (New York): 11, 1946
  • Baltimore Stadium (Baltimore): 1, 1940
  • Fenway Park (Boston): 2, 1935
  • Ebbets Field (New York): 3, 1932
  • Navin Field (Detroit): 1, 1920
RUTGERS FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE ARCHIVE

YANKEE STADIUM

Rutgers has played 13 games at Yankee Stadium in The Bronx, the most among any MLB venue. That includes nine versus NYU in the original version that opened in 1923. Most recently, the Scarlet Knights competed in the 2023 Pinstripe Bowl.

1926: NYU 30, Rutgers 0
1927: NYU 60, Rutgers 6
1928: NYU 48, Rutgers 0
1929: NYU 20, Rutgers 7
1930: NYU 33, Rutgers 0
1931: NYU 27, Rutgers 7
1932: NYU 21, Rutgers 0
1933: Rutgers 6, NYU 6
1948: Rutgers 40, NYU 0
2011: Rutgers 27, Army 12
2011: Rutgers 27, Iowa State 13 (Pinstripe Bowl)
2013: No. 25 Notre Dame 29, Rutgers 16 (Pinstripe Bowl)
2023: Rutgers 31, Miami 24 (Pinstripe Bowl)

Photos: (1) Rutgers Hall of Famer William "Bucky" Hatchett on the catch in 1948 (2) 1932 (3) 1932 (4) 1928 (5) 2011 Pinstripe Bowl (6) Celebrating the 2011 Pinstripe Bowl victory (7) Brandon Coleman following a 38-yard touchdown reception from Chas Dodd in 2011 (8) First time in the current stadium versus Army in 2011 (9) Tyler Kroft in the 2013 Pinstripe Bowl (10) Taking the field for the 2013 Pinstripe Bowl (11) 2013 Pinstripe Bowl (12) 2023 Pinstripe Bowl

1948 at Yankee Stadium vs. NYU
1932 at Yankee Stadium vs. NYU
1932 at Yankee Stadium vs. NYU
1928 at Yankee Stadium vs. NYU
2011 Pinstripe Bowl
2011 Pinstripe Bowl
2011 Yankee Stadium vs. Army
2011 Yankee Stadium vs. Army
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankees Stadium on Saturday afternoon, December 28, 2013.
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankees Stadium on Saturday afternoon, December 28, 2013.
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankees Stadium on Saturday afternoon, December 28, 2013.
Timmy Ward

TROPICANA FIELD

Rutgers defeated UCF, 45-24, in the 2009 St. Petersburg Bowl inside Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Rays.The Scarlet Knights showed a great display of balance in all three phases of the game, recording touchdowns on offensive, defensive and special teams. RU ended the night with two rushing touchdowns, two passing touchdowns, one interception and one kickoff returned for scores. True freshman Mohamed Sanu had 13 carries for 41 yards and a pair of touchdowns, in addition to catching four passes for 97 yards and a score. For his performance, Sanu was awarded the Most Outstanding Player trophy.

2009: Rutgers 45, UCF 24 (St. Petersburg Bowl)

Photos: (1) Mohamed Sanu (2) Kevin Haslam and Anthony Davis celebrating with the trophy (3) Fan support in Florida (4) Tropicana Dome (5) Ryan D'Imperio and Damaso Munoz both had six tackles in the win

2009 St. Petersburg Bowl
St. Petersburg Bowl
2009 St. Petersburg Bowl
2009 Tropicana Dome
2009 St. Petersburg Bowl

ROGERS CENTRE

Rutgers took part in the 2008 International Bowl following the 2007 season, routing Ball State, 52-30, at Rogers Centre, the home of the Toronto Blue Jays. Ray Rice rushed for a school-record 280 yards and four touchdowns en route to being named the bowl's Most Valuable Player. It was the second time RU played a game outside the United States.

2008: Rutgers 52, Ball State 30 (International Bowl)

Photos: (1) Rutgers sideline (2) Mike Teel takes the snap (3) Rogers Centre (4) Kenny Britt, Tiquan Underwood and Tim Brown with the trophy (5) Ray Rice on the carry

January 5, 2008; Toronto, ON, Canada; Rutgers Scarlet Knights defeat Ball State Cardinals 52-30 in the International Bowl played at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John Sokolowski
January 5, 2008; Toronto, ON, Canada; Rutgers Scarlet Knights defeat Ball State Cardinals 52-30 in the International Bowl played at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John Sokolowski
January 5, 2008; Toronto, ON, Canada; Rutgers Scarlet Knights defeat Ball State Cardinals 52-30 in the International Bowl played at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John Sokolowski
January 5, 2008; Toronto, ON, Canada; Rutgers Scarlet Knights defeat Ball State Cardinals 52-30 in the International Bowl played at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John Sokolowski
Ray Rice at 2008 International Bowl

CHASE FIELD

The Scarlet Knights returned to postseason for the first time since 1978 with an appearance in the 2005 Insight Bowl against Arizona State at Chase Field, the home of the Arizona Diamondbacks. The team traveled back to Arizona for the 2024 Rate Bowl.

2005: Arizona State 45, Rutgers 40 (Insight Bowl)
2024: Kansas State 44, Rutgers 41 (Rate Bowl)

Photos: (1) Brian Leonard on the carry (2) Scarlet Knight ready to go (3) Rutgers captains with Greg Brown, James Gandolfini and Mark Ohlstein before the coin flip (4) Chase Field (5) Ryan Hart (6) Marching Scarlet Knights (7) Ian Strong (8) Chase Field (9) Antwan Raymond

Brian Leonard at 2005 Insight Bowl
Scarlet Knight at 2005 Insight Bowl
2005 Insight Bowl
2005 Insight Bowl
Ryan Hart at 2005 Insight Bowl
2005 Insight Bowl
Rate Bowl at Chase Field
Ian Strong
Antwan Raymond

VETERANS STADIUM

Rutgers played Temple 12 times at Veterans Stadium, also the former home of the Philadelphia Phillies. That ranks second behind Yankee Stadium for the most among any MLB venue.

1977: Temple 24, Rutgers 14
1980: Rutgers 21, Temple 3
1982: Rutgers 10, Temple 7
1985: Temple 14, Rutgers 13
1987: Rutgers 17, Temple 14
1989: Temple 36, Rutgers 33
1990: Temple 29, Rutgers 22
1992: Rutgers 35, Temple 10
1995: Rutgers 23, Temple 20
1997: Temple 49, Rutgers 7
1999: Temple 56, Rutgers 28
2001: Temple 20, Rutgers 10

Photos: (1) Veterans Stadium setup for baseball (2) Rutgers Hall of Famer Ray Lucas went 28-for-47 for 300 passing yards and two touchdowns in the 1995 win ... The quarterback capped the game-winning drive with a 13-yard touchdown pass to put the Scarlet Knights ahead with 1:28 remaining

Veterans Stadium
Ray Lucas vs. Temple 1995

THREE RIVERS STADIUM

Rutgers traveled to Three Rivers Stadium, former home of the Pittsburgh Pirates, to play Pittsburgh in 2000. The Scarlet Knights forced seven turnovers that day, still the most in a game by the team this century.

2000: Pittsburgh 29, Rutgers 17

Photos: (1) From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette of a forced fumble (2) Three Rivers Stadium setup for baseball

2000 at Pittsburgh
Three Rivers Stadium

RIVERFRONT STADIUM

The 1983 matchup between Rutgers and Cincinnati was staged at Riverfront Stadium, the previous home of the Cincinnati Reds. Tight end Alan Andrews (pictured right) scored a touchdown on a 3-yard reception from Jacque LaPrarie.

1983: Cincinnati 18, Rutgers 7

Photos: (1) Riverfront Stadium (2) Alan Andrews

Riverfront Stadium
Alan Andrews

NICKERSON FIELD

Nickerson Field was the home of the Boston Braves before the franchise moved to Atlanta. Rutgers played three games at the site versus Boston University.

1965: Boston U 30, Rutgers 0
1970: Rutgers 6, Boston U 3
1975: Rutgers 41, Boston U 3

Photos: (1) Mark Lassiter fighting for yards in 1975 win (The Central New Jersey Home News) (2)The Boston Globe recaps the 1975 victory (3) Pete Hayes dives for a fumble as shown in The Boston Globe in 1965 (4) Don Rissett pictured in The Central New Jersey Home News from 1965

Rutgers Boston U 1975 Nickerson Field Mark Lassiter
Rutgers Boston U 1975 Nickerson Field
Rutgers Boston U 1965 Nickerson Field Pete Hayes
Rutgers Boston U 1965 Nickerson Field Don Rissett

POLO GROUNDS

Rutgers played in 11 games against various opponents at the Polo Grounds in New York City, being the only school to see action in all four versions of the stadium. The New York Giants and New York Yankees both called the building home at one point.

1914: Washington & Lee 20, Rutgers 13
1915: Rutgers 28, Hamilton Fish All-Stars 7
1916: Washington & Lee 12, Rutgers 9
1918: Syracuse 21, Rutgers 0
1919: Syracuse 14, Rutgers 0
1920: Nebraska 28, Rutgers 0
1921: Notre Dame 48, Rutgers 0
1922: Rutgers 25, LSU 0
1923: West Virginia 27, Rutgers 7
1936: NYU 46, Rutgers 0
1946: Rutgers 26, NYU 0

Photos: (1) John Hipolit punts in the 1946 win over NYU (The Brooklyn Daily Eagle) (2) 1922 headline in The Brooklyn Daily Eagle (3) Program from the 1921 matchup against Notre Dame (4) 1914 versus Washington & Lee (Flickr Common)

Rutgers NYU 1946 Polo Grounds
Rutgers LSU 1922 Polo Grounds
1921 Program vs. Notre Dame at Polo Grounds
1914 Polo Grounds vs. Washington & Lee

BALTIMORE STADIUM

Baltimore Stadium later became Memorial Stadium and the home of the Baltimore Orioles. Rutgers traveled the park to play Maryland on Thanksgiving in 1940.

1940: Maryland 14, Rutgers 7

Photo: (1) Action shown in The Baltimore Sun

Rutgers Maryland 1940 Baltimore Stadium

FENWAY PARK

Opening in 1912 and still in use today, Rutgers took on Boston College in 1919 and Boston University in 1935 at the historic venue, home to the Boston Red Sox.

1919: Rutgers 13, Boston College 7
1935: Rutgers 12, Boston U 6

Photos: (1) Headline in The Central New Jersey Home News from 1935 (2) The Des Moines Register with an Associated Press photo of Morris Grossman (3) As seen in The Boston Globe in 1919 (4) 1935 action

Rutgers Boston U 1935 Fenway Park
Rutgers Boston U 1935 Fenway Park
Rutgers Boston College 1919 Fenway Park
1935 at Fenway Park

EBBETS FIELD

The former home of the Brooklyn Dodgers, Ebbets Field played host to Rutgers three times. The 1917 win over Newport Naval Reserves marked the first college football game at the park.

1917: Rutgers 14, Newport Naval Reserves 0
1918: Great Lakes Naval 54, Rutgers 14
1932: Manhattan 7, Rutgers 6

Photos: (1) Jack Liddy carrying the ball versus Manhattan in 1932 (Daily News) (2) As seen in the Chicago Tribune in 1918

Rutgers Manhattan 1932 Jack Liddy Ebbets Field
Rutgers Newport 1917 Ebbets Field

NAVIN FIELD

Navin Field later became Tiger Stadium, hosting the Detroit Tigers. Rutgers traveled for to Michigan for a game in 1920 versus Detroit.

1920: Detroit 27, Rutgers 0

Photos: (1) Tiger Stadium (2) Detroit Free Press shows the lineup and line score

Tiger Stadium
1920 Lineups at Detroit

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