Rutgers
will be allowed to play its football games this season with packed crowds.
The Big Ten
Conference school announced the plan Wednesday after getting updated guidance
from the state of New Jersey allowing outdoor venues to operate at full
capacity. The Scarlet Knights will host six home games at SHI Stadium,
including a Thursday night game against Temple on Sept. 2.
Rutgers
also will play Delaware, Ohio State, Michigan State, Wisconsin and Maryland at
home. The stadium has a capacity of 52,454.
The last
time the Scarlet Knights played a home game with the stadium open to the public
with no limitations was against Michigan State in the season finale in 2019.
Rutgers
posted a 3-6 record last season in Greg Schiano’s return as coach. The COVID-19
pandemic prevented fans from going to the home games, though a small number of
family members were allowed to attend.