The Scarlet Who?

November 9, 2006 8:51 PM

On Nov. 6, 1869, Rutgers beat Princeton in the first ever college football game. 137 years later, almost to the day, Rutgers has added another standout achievement to their football history by beating #3 Louisville 28-25. Now, perhaps, the comments about a weakened Big East will stop. Me, I'm just wondering how big the headline in the Daily Targum will be.
posted by booksherpa (48 comments total)

Don't remind me. I'm off to attempt to drive into New Brunswick to ferry out hordes of drunk friends. Congrats RU - just don't let this divert funds away from academics.
posted by datacenter refugee at 9:00 PM on November 9, 2006

Well, I don't think this post will be well received.

But fuck yeah! RU Rah Rah!
posted by smackfu at 9:07 PM on November 9, 2006

I wish my dad was still alive to enjoy this Scarlet Knight season.
posted by terrapin at 9:07 PM on November 9, 2006

Oh, I don't envy you, datacenter. I say let them sleep on the field, curled up around bits of the goalposts. 18 and River Road will be insane. Honestly, give it some time to clear out.
posted by booksherpa at 9:08 PM on November 9, 2006

This fpp is different and thus frightening.
posted by aburd at 9:10 PM on November 9, 2006

I've heard that NBPD is out in force. It should be quite a night there. I'm almost tempted to make the 1.5 hour drive up there right now...

Congrats, RU. I hope you enjoy it! I sure didn't get anything as fancy as this when I was at the school...

But I'm not bitter.

Really.
posted by Geckwoistmeinauto at 9:10 PM on November 9, 2006

Well, I don't think this post will be well received.

What? How else would we find out what the New Jersey state government's website had to say about the first college football game?

A thrilling game tonight. What a second half.
posted by ibmcginty at 9:11 PM on November 9, 2006

Now, perhaps, the comments about a weakened Big East will stop.

Didn't they stop even before the season started when two Big East teams were ranked highly among the Top 25?
posted by brain_drain at 9:14 PM on November 9, 2006

Incidentally, when I was in school, one of my part-time jobs was running the jumbotron at the Rutgers football games. Wish I still had that job.
posted by smackfu at 9:16 PM on November 9, 2006

Smackfu, how did you resist goatseing the entirety of RU fans during some of the most disappointing games?
posted by Geckwoistmeinauto at 9:18 PM on November 9, 2006

I don't usually watch sports but tonight's game did indeed kick some major ass. 3rd and 4th Q's were nail-bitingly intense. Goooooo Scarlet Knights!

/2004
posted by chime at 9:23 PM on November 9, 2006

Like many first events in history, some other teams also make a claim to have played in the first real football game.
posted by Staggering Jack at 9:24 PM on November 9, 2006

I got to use the "D-fence" animation a lot.

The press buffet was really good too. Better than the late lamented Davidson Dining Hall.
posted by smackfu at 9:24 PM on November 9, 2006

That first victory was a fluke, this one, however, was the real deal. It was, perhaps, the best football game I have ever seen.

Yay, Rutgers.
posted by caddis at 9:55 PM on November 9, 2006

Now, perhaps, the comments about a weakened Big East will stop.

as a great american once said, 'you cannot be serious.'

just because rutgers and louisville have good records does not mean they're good teams. the big east is easily the weakest major conference in football now.

wake me up when either team beats a tough non-conference opponent.

sincerely,

rip van winkle
posted by Hat Maui at 10:22 PM on November 9, 2006

just because rutgers and louisville have good records does not mean they're good teams. the big east is easily the weakest major conference in football now.

Sadly, you're wrong. The Big XII is one great team (Texas), two meh teams (OU and A&M), three mediocre on a good day teams (Baylor, OSU, T.Tech), Nebraska, and the stinking pile of crap that is the rest of the Big XII North.

Colorado is 1-9. They lost to Montana State, a Div I-AA team. (Sigh.)

Iowa State just fired their coach.

Missouri may not win another game this year.

Neither might Kansas, who has a QB controversy because the coach is too stupid to leave the redshirt in the redshirt.

Kansas State... well, I guess they will bowl, but that's thanks to playing Illinois State. They lost to Baylor, mind you.

Honestly, the Big East is better than the Big XII, if you exclude Texas. Syracuse would already have a bowl bid if they played in the Big XII North.
posted by dw at 11:07 PM on November 9, 2006

Oh, and OMGWTF? I hope the pollsters send Rutgers into the Top 5 next week and the path clears for them to get a shot at Ohio State in Glendale. Because, you know? It's nice when the underdog wins.

I really think the world is coming to an end. Jesus is just getting his favorite teams championships before the Rapture.

HEY JEEBUS HOW ABOUT SOME LOVE FOR THE SEATTLE MARINERS???
posted by dw at 11:10 PM on November 9, 2006

between rutgers and louisville, they've played exactly one non-con opponent of any note. one.

your point about the big 12 is taken, but do you seriously believe there's not a world of difference between louisville/rutgers and UT? granted, one team does not a conference make, but still... this is the best performance ever for louisville, rutgers, and west virginia, and the big 12 is having an off year. it's still a stronger conference.
posted by Hat Maui at 11:30 PM on November 9, 2006

Tranmere beat Milwall last week, too.
posted by jack_mo at 2:17 AM on November 10, 2006

I, for one, welcome Rutgers to the show.
(Fear the sweater vest. Go Bucks)
posted by hal9k at 3:14 AM on November 10, 2006

Congratulations, Rutgers!
posted by sciurus at 4:36 AM on November 10, 2006

1) It's nice to see Rutger's having such a great season. Not only for Rutgers fans, but also for the Big East conference. So, congratulations, Rutgers.

2) Enjoy it while you can... you still have to play the Mountaineers. Go WVU!
posted by punkrockrat at 5:02 AM on November 10, 2006

What about Slippery Rock?

Seriously though, if Rutgers does not make top 5 it will be a travesty. They beat #3 in a close-fought game.
posted by unixrat at 5:28 AM on November 10, 2006

Now onto High School football results from this weekend's action:
It was Holy Moses over Mount Sinai
and Tyre rolled over Sidon.
posted by spock at 5:28 AM on November 10, 2006

If Rutgers plays OSU or Michigan in the championship game, I would surely be rooting for RU. Everybody likes the underdog, and it would go down as maybe the greatest/most inspiring college football season ever if they somehow pulled it out. However, I would wholly expect OSU to win by 30 or 40 points. I only caught a bit of the game last night, but I saw Louisville/WVU play and my lands - they are just not up to the snuff of the good Big Ten and SEC teams.
posted by billysumday at 5:48 AM on November 10, 2006

The Big East is indeed weak. Congrats to Rutgers on the win and an inspired 2nd half, though. It was nice to see their famous defense finally show up. But they still don't have a prayer for getting to the championship game.
posted by wabashbdw at 6:40 AM on November 10, 2006

I'm just wondering how big the headline in the Daily Targum will be.

"VICTO-" Headline continued on Page 2
posted by hal9k at 6:44 AM on November 10, 2006

Even if Rutgets goes undefeated there are about five one lose teams more deserving. Florida being the most deserving. Rutgers toughest oppenents over the last five years don't compare to Florida's schedule this season.
posted by BackwardsHatClub at 6:51 AM on November 10, 2006

Does ESPN rebroadcast the Thurs nite games? I was down with sinus infection but I'd love to see the 2nd half of this.
posted by pax digita at 7:05 AM on November 10, 2006

Oh, and...if Texas couldn't overcome the Ohio State defense earlier this fall, all Hell couldn't. I say that as a token Longhorn living deep in the heart of darkest Columbus.
posted by pax digita at 7:08 AM on November 10, 2006

/me pours a forty for Colorado Buffalos

Congrats to RU though. I remember watching them play Miami last year or a few years before when they almost pulled an upset. Of course, the stynxno curse struck again - once I start watching a football game, my team loses by 20 points.
posted by Stynxno at 7:21 AM on November 10, 2006

RUTGERS WINS! BLUE STATES WIN! RUMSFELD OUT! IT'S CHRISTMAS!

everybody sing along!

"On the Banks of the Old Raritan"

My father sent me to old Rutgers,
And resolv'd that I should be a man;
And so I settled down,
In that noisy college town,
On the banks of the old Raritan.

(Chorus)

On the banks of the old Raritan (my friends)
Where old Rutgers evermore shall stand,
For has she not stood
Since the time of the flood,
On the banks of the old Raritan.

Then sing aloud to Alma Mater
And keep the scarlet in the van'
For with her motto high
Rutgers' name shall never die
On the banks of the old Raritan.

(Chorus)

On the banks of the old Raritan (my friends)
Where old Rutgers evermore shall stand,
For has she not stood
Since the time of the flood,
On the banks of the old Raritan.
posted by ronv at 7:36 AM on November 10, 2006

oh, btw. last night, we had a beautiful view of the empire state building lit up in scarlet. go rutgers!
posted by ronv at 7:42 AM on November 10, 2006

Heck yes, Rutgers!
posted by londontube at 7:43 AM on November 10, 2006

Go Rutgers! Too bad we couldn't keep our tennis team, though... Or crew .... Full list of cut sports: Rutgers Varsity Men’s Tennis, Swimming, Fencing, Lightweight and Heavyweight Crew and Women’s Fencing.
posted by armacy at 8:33 AM on November 10, 2006

FLorida are a bunch of pretenders with no offense. They can't score points and the rest of the SEC is not as good as advertised.
posted by Mister_A at 8:46 AM on November 10, 2006

Very cool what they did with the Empire State Building. And one of the best football games I have ever seen. I will have to look for a download of it online so I can whip it out during the dead month of February when it seems that there is NOTHING to do but suffer in the cold.

But yeah, if a 1-loss team wins the SEC championship, they will get in over an unbeaten Rutgers. Texas has a shot too. I don't think USC has a shot because I expect them to lose to Cal and possibly to the Irish as well.

I think Rutgers will get beaten by West Virginia anyway, which will make this discussion moot.
posted by weretable and the undead chairs at 9:07 AM on November 10, 2006

Now, perhaps, the comments about a weakened Big East will stop.

I don't follow college football closely enough to know how strong of a conference the Big East is compared to other conferences.

I do know that one Big East team defeating another Big East team cannot possibly provide any information one way or the other about how the Big East compares to other conferences.
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 9:37 AM on November 10, 2006

hal9k, you weren't far off. (warning: pdf link)
posted by booksherpa at 9:58 AM on November 10, 2006

between rutgers and louisville, they've played exactly one non-con opponent of any note. one.

It's not completely their fault, though. There was an article this week saying that L'ville has been trying for several years now to schedule anyone decent out of conference, even offering to play on the road against SEC schools or neutral site in the Georgia Dome. No one has bitten. They're just too scared of them.

Rutgers is in that middle ground between "creampuff" and "powerhouse" where they're just getting what they can -- and mixing in some bad teams.

And for as much as the Ohio State-Texas game was hyped, these marquee OOC games are getting rarer and rarer. tOSU's other OOC games were N. Illinois and Cincy. Texas played North Texas, Rice, and Sam Houston State. Auburn played Wazzu, Buffalo, Tulane, and Arkansas State. Florida plays FSU at the end of the year, but their other three OOC games were against schools with directions in their names: Southern Miss, Central Florida, and Western Carolina.

And also remember that schedules are planned out YEARS in advance. Washington is playing Oklahoma in 2008, the back half of a home-and-home agreed to eight years ago, when Washington won the Rose Bowl and Oklahoma was the national champion. Now, Oklahoma is slipping and Washington fell. You don't know where these teams are going to be by the time you play them. And in many cases, the moneyed teams buy their way out of matchups with suddenly strong teams.

This isn't college basketball, with Bracket Buster tournaments and the Great Alaska Shootout and mid-majors snagging road games at major conference schools. Teams have to take what they can get. I mean, what makes Texas so good when Texas Tech manhandled them for three quarters? What makes Michigan #2 when they struggled against Ball State at the Big House? What makes Auburn better than Arkansas when their offense has struggled all year long?
posted by dw at 10:19 AM on November 10, 2006

this is the best performance ever for louisville, rutgers, and west virginia,

WVU played for the national championship twice under Nehlen. Rutgers won a couple of "mythical national championships" in the 1800s. Louisville... OK, they've never been this good.

and the big 12 is having an off year. it's still a stronger conference.

The Big XII is having an off decade. Two national championships (OU in 2000, Texas in 2005), but the Big XII North has been really terrible the last few years. A North team won the championship game twice in the last six years -- 2001 and 2003. Now, in 2001 they had a lot of good teams, but since then Nebraska, Colorado, and Kansas State have all fallen on hard times.

This year, the North has beaten the South three times, which is three better than all of last year, but it does suggest that this conference is weak at the bottom.

I don't put L'ville/WVU/Rutgers on the same level as Texas, no. But I think they've as good as, if not better than, Oklahoma. And they could all crush Nebraska. If Rutgers finishes 12-0, they deserve to go to Glendale over a one-loss Michigan/Ohio State/Texas. They're just as worthy, and they wouldn't have lost to anyone.
posted by dw at 10:31 AM on November 10, 2006

I work in New Brunswick. On the way into work yesterday, a colleague and Rutgers alumnus asked me if I was going to go watch the game after work, and I asked, "What game?" I haven't seen such disappointment in someone's eyes since I told my mom I failed chemistry in high school.
posted by amro at 11:31 AM on November 10, 2006

Weird. When I saw this post, I thought maybe Rutgers had some Orthodox Jewish fans: In Jewish tradition, the targum is the aramaic translation of the Torah that is printed alongside the original Hebrew in most standard editions. Hence, the Daily Targum would be a good title for a regular Torah commentary newsletter.

I guess the closest thing would be when the Detroit Free Press printed "Happy New Year, Hank!" in Hebrew across the front of their paper the morning after his game-winning Rosh Hashanah performance in 1934.
posted by ericbop at 11:57 AM on November 10, 2006

From wikipedia:

1866: Then Rutgers President William H. Campbell lectures to Rutgers men on the original text of the Old Testament, including Aramaic language paraphrases of the Hebrew Scriptures, called Targums. The word "Targum" means interpretation in Aramaic and is used as a slang word when referring to crib sheets, among various Aramaic terms that become part of the campus vernacular. This is the inspiration for the name of the forthcoming periodical.

posted by smackfu at 1:30 PM on November 10, 2006

I watched the game last night with friends in a bar in Princeton. Yes, Princeton people cheering Rutgers on... Well done Rutgers!
posted by ob at 3:08 PM on November 10, 2006

Yes, Princeton people cheering Rutgers on...

Except when their stupid alums come and vandalize our campus...
posted by oaf at 8:38 PM on November 10, 2006

Rutgers was always a turd...

except for the truck's of grease...

MMM... Fat bitch...

A cheese steak with chicken fingers french fries and mozzarella sticks... thank u rutgers... for killing me quicker than taco bell ever could
posted by matimer at 11:14 PM on November 10, 2006

oaf, Given the signifigance of the numbers on whig (or cleo, i forget) I seriously doubt it was alumni. Anyone in the referenced 'club' would not be ignorant or disrespectful enough to spraypaint such a beautiful structure. I'd like to see an RU/Princeton matchup too, but there are more constructive ways to express that.
posted by datacenter refugee at 12:14 PM on November 11, 2006