Brian Hester
- Sep 5, 2019
- 3 min read

Rutgers Celebrates 150th Anniversary of College Football with 48-21 Win Over UMass

New York City - New Jersey - Your Rutgers Scarlet Knights kicked off the 150th season of College football at the place where it all began, On The Banks, at Rutgers University, The Birthplace of College Football, with a 48 to 21 victory of UMass. All of College Football will be paying homage to this historic anniversary throughout the season. Festivities at Rutgers SHI Stadium in Piscataway, NJ kicked off with the dedication of a beautiful yet imposing 12-foot high statue, named "Victory,"which portrays the armored Scarlet Knight raising his sword in triumphant victory atop his steed after vanquishing an opponent in battle. The majestic statue, weighing 2,500 pounds, is lighted from above and below, and mounted upon a 5½-foot black granite pedestal, bringing its total height to 18 feet above the plaza. The cost of the project was fully funded by the Ron and Joanna Garuttis, long time supporters of all things Rutgers.

BOOM!!! The Rutgers Canon Crew, in a long standing Scarlet Knights tradition featuring licensed Volunteer Canon Operators, dressed in Pre-Revolutionary War clothing fire the Canon after each Rutgers score. They went through a lot of powder as Rutgers put up 48 points in their season opening victory over UMass. Photo by Brian Hester

A new statue, entitled "Victory", located on the plaza in front of SHI Stadium, was unveiled prior to kickoff. The piece, fully funded by Ron and Joanna Garuttis, is quickly becoming not only a meeting place and photo location but a source of pride for Rutgers and all of New Jersey. Photo by Brian Hester

Rutgers Athletic Director Pat Hobbs shares a laugh with Ron and Joanna Garuttis as "Victory" statue s unveiled. Photo by Brian Hester

The celebration continued with a reenactment of the first ever College Football game played on November 10, 1869 between Rutgers and Princeton. Rutgers won that contest by a score of 6 to 4. Actors portrayed the original football players and sported replicas of the original uniforms featuring sweaters, period pants, suspenders and yes fine Adidas sneakers. A little known fact both the original Rutgers and Princeton teams had this amazing sneaker deal.

Actors from within the Rutgers community, students and alumni, recreate the first ever college football game on the practice field outside of SHI Stadium prior to the kickoff of the 150th season of College Football. Photo by Brian Hester

Fun fact, when you have over 50 nieces and nephews such as I do, you sometimes run into them around the state of NJ. One of my favorite Nephews, Dan Drew, second from the right is all smiles as he grips the trophy with both hands.

Rutgers reenactors celebrate the victory in the first ever college football game on the practice field outside of SHI Stadium prior to the kickoff of the 150th season of College Football. Photo by Brian Hester

All this celebrating and we haven't even started the first game of the 2019 season. On to the game itself. Rutgers Scarlet Knights got off to a slow start against UMass falling behind 14 nothing in the first quarter and then 21 to 7 before both the offense and defense settled in and stepped rallying with 41 unanswered points in an exciting come from behind victory by a final score of 48 to 21.

Scarlet Knights QB Number 3 McLane Carter calls an audible at the line during the second half as he remained calm and rallied the Knights to defeat the Minutemen of UMass. Photo by Brian Hester

McLane Carter shook off an early interception - and three overall - to complete 21 of 31 passes for 340 yards and two touchdowns in his Rutgers debut, leading the Scarlet Knights past UMass 48-21 in a season opener for both teams on Friday night. After a couple of TD runs by Isaih Pacheco to get Rutgers going, Carter threw two second-quarter touchdowns. Carter's first TD toss was to Bo Melton, who had six catches for 127 yards.

Rutgers RB number 1 Isaih Pacheco rushed for one of his two touch downs of the night. Photo by Brian Hester

Rutgers Head Coach Chris Ash leads his team out of the tunnel and out of some dark days for the Rutgers Football Program. Coach Ash has quietly and consistently worked to build a program in Piscataway. Long time die hard fans understand that being competitive at the Big Ten level was never going to happen over night. Look for B1G things On The Banks this season. Photo by Brian Hester

Rutgers AD Pat Hobbs talks football with NJ Governor Phil Murphy prior to kickoff. Photo by Brian Hester

Some of the other aspects that make for an incredible College Football Game Day Experience at any NCAA Game? Perhaps even more vital but at least equally as important as the action and plays on the field? Several things to consider, The Marching Band, The Spirit Squads, The Cheer and Dance Teams, The Best Student Section in all of College Football and of course the amazing fans that live and breath Scarlet for their team. Take a look....

Photo by Brian Hester

The Legendary Eric LeGrand smiles to the crowds from the the scoreboard high above SHI Stadium Photo by Brian Hester

Photo by Brian Hester

The opening night celebration concluded with an amazing fireworks display. Photo by Brian Hester

Up next Your Scarlet Knight travel to Iowa to take on the #20 Hawkeyes this Saturday September 7, 2019. The Scarlet Knights return to SHI Stadium on Saturday September 21 to face The Eagle of Boston College.

So how can you get in on all this amazing College Football Action? Visit Scarlet Knights Also check out Rutgers Sports for all your Rutgers Sports info needs. Only a short trip from NYC via public transit or car you can still purchase tickets for this seasons remaining games by calling the box office at Toll-Free 1-866-445-GORU (4678) or visit here tickets@scarletknights.com

Photo by Brian Hester