The 1980 Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team represented Rutgers University in the 1980 NCAA Division I-A football season . In their eighth season under head coach Frank R. Burns , the Scarlet Knights compiled a 7–4 record while competing as an independent and outscored their opponents 279 to 156.[ 1] [ 2] The team's statistical leaders included Ed McMichael with 1,761 passing yards, Albert Ray with 778 rushing yards, and Tim Odell with 718 receiving yards.[ 3]
Date Opponent Site Result Attendance Source September 13 at Temple W 21–319,876 [ 4]
September 20 Cincinnati W 24–7
September 27 Princeton Rutgers Stadium Piscataway, NJ W 44–1326,219 [ 5]
October 4 at Cornell W 44–311,500 [ 6]
October 11 No. 1 Alabama L 13–1758,107 [ 7]
October 18 William & Mary Rutgers Stadium Piscataway, NJ L 18–21
October 25 at Syracuse L 9–1739,937
November 1 at Army W 37–21
November 8 at Virginia W 19–1730,011 [ 8]
November 15 West Virginia Rutgers Stadium Piscataway, NJ L 15–2416,400 [ 9]
November 22 Colgate Rutgers Stadium Piscataway, NJ W 35–1315,400 [ 10]
Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
1980 Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team roster
Players
Coaches
Offense
Defense
Special teams
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
Legend
(C) Team captain
(S) Suspended
(I) Ineligible
Injured
Redshirt
^ "1980 Rutgers Scarlet Knights Schedule and Results" . SR/College Football . Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved June 12, 2016 .
^ "Rutgers Yearly Results (1980-1984)" . College Football Data Warehouse . David DeLassus. Archived from the original on March 27, 2016. Retrieved June 12, 2016 .
^ "1980 Rutgers Scarlet Knights Stats" . SR/College Football . Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved June 12, 2016 .
^ "Rutgers trounces Temple to avenge '79 lacing" . Courier-Post . September 14, 1980. Retrieved August 10, 2022 – via Newspapers.com .
^ Robbins, Danny (September 28, 1980). "Rutgers Crushes Princeton in Fitting End to Series" . The Philadelphia Inquirer . Philadelphia, Pa. p. 11-F – via Newspapers.com .
^ Walsh, David (October 6, 1970). "Battered: Harvard Is Next for Bruised Red" . The Ithaca Journal . Ithaca, N.Y. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Alabama survives RU scare, 17–13" . The Daily Home News . October 12, 1980. Retrieved February 19, 2021 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Falcinelli's late 41-yard field goal lifts Rutgers over Virginia, 19–17" . The Philadelphia Inquirer . November 9, 1980. Retrieved January 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "West Virginia stops Rutgers to end any hopes at bowl bid" . Asbury Park Press . November 16, 1980. Retrieved January 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ O'Brien, Ken (November 23, 1980). "Rutgers Finishes in Style, 35-13" . The Home News . New Brunswick, N.J. p. B1 – via Newspapers.com .