PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Two weeks ago, several thousand Rutgers football fans hit the road for the season-opening win at Boston College. On Saturday at Temple, there is buzz that the number could be doubled for the away fans.
The last time Rutgers played in Lincoln Financial Field at Temple was in 2012. At the time, the over 35,000 in attendance was the third-largest crowd in Temple’s history. Over half of that attendance was there to support a ranked Rutgers program.
Saturday’s traveling support may not reach that level or those numbers. But it could still be impressive and might be close to the attendance drawn for the home team. This is Temple’s homecoming game for what it is worth.
As far as off-the-field progress goes in the rebuilding of Rutgers football, it is certainly a positive sign to see such strong road numbers from the fanbase.
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At the very least, it shows upward momentum and belief in the direction of the rebuilding effort undertaken by head coach Greg Schiano.
“I think our fan base – I remember at the end of our last go-round here, our fan base traveled very well,” Schiano said on Wednesday.
“I think we’re getting back into the flow. You got to give him a reason to travel. Right when you win games. People want to be around so that’s why if we keep winning, they’ll travel.”
Rutgers returns home the following week to host Iowa in their Big Ten opener. The game will be under the lights at SHI Stadium.
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As for this week, a win would mean that Rutgers would have a 3-0 start for a second consecutive season. They beat Temple in their season opener in 2021.
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