Originally established as Queen's College in 1766, the State University of New Jersey is one of the oldest college in the U.S. Also known as Rutgers University, the institute is renowned as the "Birthplace of College Football”. The university hosted the 1st ever intercollegiate football game in the history of the country on the 6th of November, 1869.

The athletic teams of the State University of New Jersey are known the Scarlet Knights, which was named after the Rutgers University mascot. A member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the Rutgers football team competes in the Big East Conference Division I-A. Gregory Edward Schiano is the current head coach and defensive coordinator of the Rutgers University football team. He had a playing career as captain and as the linebacker of the football team at Bucknell University.

Located on the university's Busch Campus, Rutgers Stadium is the base of the Scarlet Knights football team. The stadium was opened on 3 September 1994 and has a seating capacity of more than 41,000 spectators.