What Is 2011 Rutgers Scarlet Knights football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2011 Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team represented Rutgers University in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with a 9-4 record under head coach Greg Schiano. They played in the Big East Conference and won the 2011 New Era Pinstripe Bowl against Iowa State, 27-13.

Key Facts

Finished the 2011 season with a 9-4 overall record
Posted a 5-2 record in Big East Conference play
Defeated Iowa State 27-13 in the Pinstripe Bowl on December 30, 2011
Head coach Greg Schiano led the team in his 10th and final season
Quarterback Gary Nova started 9 games as a true freshman

Overview

The 2011 Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team represented Rutgers University in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) during the 2011 season. Competing in the Big East Conference, the team was led by head coach Greg Schiano in what would be his final season before departing for the NFL.

This season marked a transition year, highlighted by strong defensive performances and the emergence of young talent. The team finished with a 9-4 overall record and secured a bowl victory, their first since 2008.

Record: The Scarlet Knights finished the season with a 9-4 overall record and a 5-2 mark in Big East Conference play, placing them in strong contention for a conference title.
Bowl Game: They earned a bid to the 2011 New Era Pinstripe Bowl, where they defeated Iowa State Cyclones 27-13 on December 30, 2011, at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York.
Head Coach: Greg Schiano coached his final season with Rutgers in 2011, finishing with a 68-65 record over 11 seasons before leaving to become head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Quarterback: True freshman Gary Nova started nine games at quarterback, throwing for 2,055 yards and 18 touchdowns, becoming a key figure in the team's offensive turnaround.
Defense: The defense ranked among the national leaders in several categories, including total defense, allowing just 305.6 yards per game on average.

Season Highlights & Key Games

The 2011 campaign featured several memorable performances and pivotal matchups that defined the team's identity. With a mix of veteran leadership and emerging youth, Rutgers remained competitive throughout the Big East race.

September 10, 2011: Rutgers defeated North Carolina 27-23 in a comeback win, overcoming a 17-point deficit behind strong second-half defense and Nova’s composure.
October 8, 2011: A dominant 27-3 win over Cincinnati showcased the team’s defensive strength, holding the Bearcats to just 188 total yards.
November 5, 2011: The 20-17 overtime loss to Pittsburgh was a turning point, ending Rutgers’ Big East title hopes despite a valiant effort.
November 19, 2011: A 48-20 win over Syracuse highlighted the offensive potential, with Nova throwing for four touchdowns and 308 yards.
December 30, 2011: In the Pinstripe Bowl, Rutgers’ defense forced three turnovers and limited Iowa State to 222 total yards, securing a 27-13 victory.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 2011 season to previous years reveals both progress and lingering challenges in the program’s development.

Season	Overall Record	Conference Record	Bowl Result	Head Coach
2009	9-4	5-2 (Big East)	Lost in PapaJohns.com Bowl	Greg Schiano
2010	9-4	5-2 (Big East)	Won in Texas Bowl	Greg Schiano
2011	9-4	5-2 (Big East)	Won Pinstripe Bowl 27-13	Greg Schiano
2012	7-6	4-4 (Big East)	Lost in Russell Athletic Bowl	Khari Jones (interim)
2013	6-7	3-5 (AAC)	Lost in New Era Pinstripe Bowl	Kyle Flood

The 2011 season mirrored the 2009 and 2010 campaigns in win total and conference performance, but stood out due to Schiano’s departure and the successful bowl outcome. The consistency in records masked underlying shifts in roster composition and coaching direction.

Why It Matters

The 2011 season was a pivotal chapter in Rutgers football history, symbolizing both the peak of the Schiano era and the beginning of a transitional period for the program.

End of an Era: Greg Schiano’s departure marked the end of an 11-year tenure that transformed Rutgers from a mid-major program into a consistent bowl participant.
Player Development: The emergence of Gary Nova as a starting quarterback signaled a shift toward youth and long-term rebuilding under new leadership.
Bowl Victory: Winning the Pinstripe Bowl provided a positive sendoff and demonstrated the team’s resilience after a tough loss to Pittsburgh.
Conference Stability: The Big East was in flux, with multiple schools leaving; Rutgers’ performance helped maintain the conference’s bowl eligibility standards.
Recruiting Impact: Success on the field in 2011 helped sustain recruiting momentum, especially in the talent-rich Northeast corridor.
Program Legacy: The 2011 season remains a benchmark for future Rutgers teams, illustrating what sustained success looks like at the FBS level.

Ultimately, the 2011 Rutgers Scarlet Knights season stands as a bridge between eras—celebrating past achievements while setting the stage for future challenges in a changing college football landscape.