What Is 2010 Rutgers Scarlet Knights football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2010 Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team finished with a 9–4 record, winning the Papa John’s Bowl against Central Florida with a 41–38 victory. Led by head coach Greg Schiano, the team played in the Big East Conference and ranked 23rd in the final AP Poll.

Key Facts

The 2010 Rutgers Scarlet Knights finished the season with a 9–4 overall record
They defeated Central Florida 41–38 in the Papa John’s Bowl on January 1, 2011
Head coach Greg Schiano led the team in his 9th season at Rutgers
The team played in the Big East Conference and finished 4–3 in conference play
Rutgers finished ranked #23 in the final 2010 AP Poll

Overview

The 2010 Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team represented Rutgers University in the NCAA Division I FBS football season. Competing as a member of the Big East Conference, the team was led by ninth-year head coach Greg Schiano and played its home games at Rutgers Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey.

This season marked a return to form after a down year in 2009, with the Scarlet Knights finishing 9–4 overall and 4–3 in conference play. Their strong finish earned them a bowl berth and a final national ranking.

Record: The team finished with a 9–4 overall record, including a 4–3 mark in Big East play, marking improvement from the previous season’s 5–7 record.
Bowl Game: Rutgers won the Papa John’s Bowl on January 1, 2011, defeating Central Florida 41–38 in a high-scoring, back-and-forth contest in Birmingham, Alabama.
Head Coach:Greg Schiano, in his ninth season, led the team to its third bowl victory under his tenure and maintained Rutgers’ national relevance.
Final Ranking: The Scarlet Knights finished #23 in the final AP Poll, their first appearance in the final rankings since 2006.
Key Player: Quarterback Nathan Rourke was not on the team; instead, Tom Savage started 10 games and threw for 2,261 yards and 14 touchdowns in his first collegiate season.

Season Performance

The 2010 campaign was defined by resilience, with Rutgers bouncing back from early conference losses to win key games down the stretch. The defense remained a hallmark of Schiano’s program, consistently ranking among the national leaders in key statistical categories.

Defensive Strength: The defense allowed just 17.3 points per game, ranking 12th nationally and anchoring the team’s success despite offensive inconsistencies.
Key Win: A 27–24 victory over Louisville on November 6 was pivotal, keeping Rutgers bowl-eligible and showcasing late-game composure.
Home Record: Rutgers went 6–1 at home, with their only loss coming against in-state rival Princeton by a narrow 20–17 margin.
Tom Savage’s Role: After transferring from Rutgers and sitting out 2009, Savage started 10 games and completed 54% of his passes with 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
Running Game:Joe Martinek rushed for 758 yards and 11 touchdowns, leading the team in scoring and providing a reliable ground attack.
Special Teams: Placekicker Jeremy Ito converted 18 of 21 field goal attempts, including a long of 47 yards, contributing critical points in tight games.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 2010 season to recent years highlights its significance in Rutgers football history.

Season	Overall Record	Conference Record	Bowl Result	Final AP Rank
2008	8–5	4–3	Lost International Bowl	Unranked
2009	5–7	2–5	No bowl	Unranked
2010	9–4	4–3	Won Papa John’s Bowl	#23
2011	9–4	5–2	Lost in bowl game	Unranked
2012	7–6	4–4	Won bowl game	Unranked

The 2010 season stands out for its combination of a winning record, a bowl victory, and a final AP ranking—achievements not matched again until later years. It marked a rebound from 2009 and set the stage for continued competitiveness in the Big East before conference realignment.

Why It Matters

The 2010 season was a pivotal moment in Rutgers football, restoring credibility after a losing campaign and reestablishing the program under Greg Schiano’s leadership. It also played a role in broader conference dynamics and recruiting momentum.

National Recognition: Finishing #23 in the AP Poll gave Rutgers visibility, helping attract recruits from outside the tri-state area.
Bowl Revenue: The Papa John’s Bowl appearance generated over $1 million in revenue for the athletic department under the Big East’s payout structure.
Player Development: The season helped launch the careers of several NFL prospects, including defensive end George Johnson, who later played in the NFL.
Conference Stability: At a time of Big East realignment, Rutgers’ performance helped justify its status as a core football member before eventual move to the AAC.
Program Momentum: The success contributed to Schiano’s rising stock, though he would leave for the NFL in 2012, ending an era.
Legacy: The 2010 team remains one of the most successful of the 2010s for Rutgers, remembered for its defensive grit and bowl triumph.

Ultimately, the 2010 season exemplified resilience and program stability, serving as a benchmark for future Rutgers teams striving to return to national prominence.