Football Princeton–Rutgers rivalry

rutgers declares birthplace of college football in memory of november 6, 1869 game between princeton (then college of new jersey) , rutgers, first college football game ever played. rutgers won 6–4. however, game played using rugby rules, in contrast 1875 game between harvard , tufts considered first college football game played using modern rules.

from 1869 1980, princeton , rutgers played each other 71 times, princeton leading all-time series 53–17–1. in series, 13 games played @ rutgers , 57 @ princeton.

as rutgers invested more resources in football program in 1970s in hopes of raising national prominence, rutgers dropped princeton 1983 schedule make room stronger opponent. reason, princeton alumni weekly speculated in 1977 princeton–rutgers football series end in next decade. in january 1979, princeton , rutgers announced end of football series @ request of princeton officials, felt rutgers step toward big‐time football in recent seasons had taken scarlet knights out of tigers desired class of competition. after 1981 season, princeton football , other ivy league football programs dropped division i-a (now fbs) division i-aa (now fcs), due new ncaa attendance , seating capacity requirements half of ivy teams not meet. in contrast, rutgers remained in division i-a.