It’s Time: Rutgers Faces Its Biggest Chance to End Penn State Drought

Fans of Rutgers football have waited decades. Penn State has defeated the Scarlet Knights 37 times since 1988, taxing generations of fans. Rutgers could rewrite history this weekend at SHI Stadium.

When Rutgers triumphed in Happy Valley last time, students threw marshmallows onto the field, one player ate one mid-huddle, and the crowd went silent. Many recall captain Bill Dubiel’s 1988 triumph, but Penn State has defeated them 17 consecutive since.

Rutgers’ 5-6 record mirrors Penn State’s, yet promise exists. Bookmakers still favor Penn State with 10.5 points. Sports analysts feel this is a vital time for head coach Greg Schiano and his club. A win versus Penn State may revolutionize Schiano’s second season and make the Scarlet Knights legendary.

Ryan Hart, who played under Schiano before, sees this game as more than a regular-season game. He said, “This is our Super Bowl,” emphasizing the game’s emotional impact beyond bowl qualifying. Rutgers players and fans know beating Penn State would change the program after decades.

Schiano, who defeated Louisville in his first season at Rutgers in 2006, has yet to defeat a strong school. Rebuilding Rutgers in a competitive Big Ten, a definitive win over Penn State remains elusive. Different things may happen this season. Penn State has fallen to UCLA, Northwestern, and Iowa under interim coach Terry Smith, showing they are not invincible.

Historic attempts were near. Rutgers lost its first Big Ten game in 2014 to Penn State 13-10, a great opportunity. Two years later, Penn State defeated Rutgers 39-0, reminding fans that wins are tough. This may be different since Rutgers has experience, passion, and the desire to halt the streak.

Bill Dubiel, a former athlete, takes pride in a new Scarlet Knights team. Dubiel, who travels from Phoenix for home games, remembers 1988 but wants Rutgers to answer the decades-old question: when will we beat Penn State again?

Rutgers’ matchup against Penn State is more than a game owing the stakes. Repentance, fan revival, and program history are possible. If Rutgers capitalizes, 2025 will be remembered for growth and a Big Ten title that eluded one of dedicated programs.

Sources:

Rutgers Athletic Department

Official Big Ten records

Penn State-Rutgers historical games

Former Rutgers captains and players discuss.