Rutgers is repeating what worked last fall for a crucial game this season.
The Scarlet Knights will host their annual Blackout game at SHI Stadium during their Big Ten opener against Iowa on Friday, September 19, the program announced Tuesday. The game will be kick off at 8 p.m. in front of a national audience on FOX.
It is a similar situation to the blackout game last year, when Rutgers defeated Washington in its Big Ten opener on a Friday night. The 21-18 victory improved the Scarlet Knights to 4-0 for the first time since 2012 and set up a potentially special season before it was derailed by a subsequent four-game losing streak.
Can Rutgers defeat Iowa for the first time (0-4 all-time) and get off to a similar start this fall, where it is projected by outside observers to have its best team of head coach Greg Schiano’s second stint? The Scarlet Knights have a harder path in non-conference play than last year, part of a brutal schedule that ranks among the toughest in the country.
Here is Rutgers football’s full 2025 schedule:
Thursday, Aug. 28: vs. Ohio (6 p.m., BTN)
Saturday, Sept. 6: vs. Miami (Ohio) (3:30 p.m., Peacock)
Saturday, Sept. 13: vs. Norfolk State (3:30 p.m., BTN)
Friday, Sept. 19: vs. Iowa* (8 p.m., FOX)
*Blackout game
Saturday, Sept. 27: at Minnesota (TBD)
Friday, Oct. 10: at Washington (9 p.m., FSI)
Saturday, Oct. 18: vs. Oregon* (6:30 p.m. or 7 p.m.)
*Homecoming & Family Weekend
Saturday, Oct. 25: at Purdue (Noon)
Saturday, Nov. 1: at Illinois (TBD)
Saturday, Nov. 8: vs. Maryland (TBD)
Saturday, Nov. 22: at Ohio State (TBD)
Saturday, Nov. 29: vs. Penn State (TBD)
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Brian Fonseca may be reached at bfonseca@njadvancemedia.com.