Rutgers Uniform Schedule 2026: Every Jersey and When the Scarlet Knights Wear It

Rutgers keeps its base look simple and saves the surprises for the nights that mean something. This is the full Rutgers 2026 uniform schedule: the scarlet home set, the white road set, the white 9/11 tribute helmet that already made its appearance at Boston College, the all-black Blackout set, and a week-by-week outlook for all twelve games. Two games in, the Scarlet Knights have worn two different helmets. We update this page as each combination is confirmed.

The Rutgers 2026 Uniform Sets

Rutgers moved to Nike on July 1, 2025, and the first Nike uniforms stayed close to the look the program has worn since Greg Schiano's first tenure: a scarlet jersey, white pants and the block R on a scarlet helmet, with a slightly brighter shade of scarlet than the old adidas version. The same season brought the all-black Blackout set, which ESPN ranked among the best looks of Week 4 when it debuted against Iowa. We have not seen a new 2026 alternate announced. What we do have is the athletic department's game theme list, and it points straight at the one home date where Rutgers is likely to leave scarlet behind. Big Ten home teams wear color and visitors wear white, which makes the road half of this schedule easy to read.

The Full Rutgers 2026 Uniform Schedule, Week by Week

September 3 vs. UMass. ★ Confirmed from the broadcast: scarlet helmet, scarlet jersey, white pants, the classic Rutgers home look for a Thursday night opener at SHI Stadium. It was not the night anyone in Piscataway planned. UMass won 37-21, and Rutgers did not score in the middle two quarters.

September 11 at Boston College. ★ Confirmed from the broadcast: white helmet, scarlet jersey, scarlet pants. This was the 9/11 tribute set, honoring the 37 Rutgers alumni lost on September 11, 2001. The white helmet carried a stars-and-stripes 37 on the side, an American flag decal, the outline of New Jersey and NEVER FORGET across the back bumper, and NEVER FORGET ran down the leg of the scarlet pants. The white tribute helmet first appeared in 2021. Boston College wore white with red bandana trim for its own tribute, which left the scarlet jersey clear for the visitors. Boston College won 28-21 on the Friday night in Chestnut Hill.

September 19 vs. USC. Scarlet expected. The athletic department has billed this as New Jersey Day with a Scarlet Out in the stands, so we expect the Scarlet Knights to match the crowd, with No. 12 USC in white on the USC 2026 uniform schedule. Kickoff is 3:30 p.m. Eastern on CBS.

September 25 vs. Howard. Scarlet expected. A Friday night game at 7 p.m. Eastern on Big Ten Network, themed as Sir Henry's Birthday Bash and R Community Day, featuring Eric LeGrand's A Walk to Believe.

October 3 vs. Indiana. Black likely. This is Homecoming and Family Weekend, and Rutgers has named it The Blackout. Last season's all-black set was built for exactly this kind of night, so this is the home date where we expect the black helmet, black jersey and black pants. It is an 8 p.m. Eastern kickoff. One calendar note: ESPN files this game under October 4 because its feed runs on UTC. It is a Saturday night game on October 3. We will star the cell once the uniform is confirmed.

October 10. Bye.

October 17 at Maryland. White expected. Rutgers is the visitor in College Park, with kickoff set for no later than 5 p.m. Eastern. The Maryland 2026 uniform schedule tracks what the Terrapins pull from their closet.

October 24 at Northwestern. White expected. A Big Ten road trip to Evanston, with the kickoff time still to be announced.

October 31 vs. Michigan. Scarlet expected. Halloween On the Banks, with Michigan in white. See the Michigan 2026 uniform schedule for the visitors.

November 7 at Wisconsin. White expected. Rutgers in white at Camp Randall against a Wisconsin team in red, as we have it on the Wisconsin 2026 uniform schedule.

November 14 vs. Nebraska. Scarlet expected. This is Military Appreciation day at SHI Stadium, so it is a date to watch for a patch or helmet decal. Nebraska is in white on the Nebraska 2026 uniform schedule.

November 21 at Penn State. White expected. The last road game of the season, at Beaver Stadium, against a Penn State team that wears navy at home. The Penn State 2026 uniform schedule has the Nittany Lions side.

November 28 vs. Michigan State. Scarlet expected. Holiday Fest and Senior Day close the regular season in Piscataway, with the Spartans in white on the Michigan State 2026 uniform schedule.

The Bottom Line

Rutgers has already used two helmets in two games, and the tribute set at Boston College is the best-looking thing the Scarlet Knights have worn this season, even in a loss. From here, the Rutgers uniform schedule reads cleanly: scarlet for five of the six remaining home dates, black for the Blackout homecoming against Indiana, and white for all four remaining road trips. The Scarlet Out against USC is the next test for the jersey and the team. The grid above has every date, and we add the stars as each uniform is confirmed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What jersey is Rutgers wearing this week?

Rutgers hosts No. 12 USC on September 19 for New Jersey Day and a Scarlet Out, so we expect the scarlet home jersey with USC in white. Last week at Boston College, Rutgers wore the 9/11 tribute set: white helmet, scarlet jersey and scarlet pants. The week-by-week grid above lists every game with the expected set.

What are Rutgers's football uniforms for 2026?

A scarlet home jersey, a white road jersey and an all-black alternate, all made by Nike. The helmets are the scarlet shell with the block R, a black shell, and the white 9/11 tribute shell. Rutgers pairs its jerseys with white, scarlet or black pants.

What did Rutgers wear against Boston College?

The 9/11 tribute uniform: a white helmet with a stars-and-stripes 37, an American flag decal and NEVER FORGET on the bumper, plus a scarlet jersey and scarlet pants with NEVER FORGET down the leg. It honored the 37 Rutgers alumni lost on September 11, 2001. Boston College won 28-21.

Why is Rutgers wearing black against Indiana?

Rutgers has named its October 3 homecoming game against Indiana The Blackout. The all-black set, with the black helmet, black jersey and black pants, is built for that theme, so it is the likely look. We will confirm it from the broadcast and update the grid.

Does Rutgers have a new alternate uniform in 2026?

Not that has been announced. The black Blackout set that debuted in 2025 and the white 9/11 tribute helmet are the alternates in use. If Rutgers reveals something new, we will add it here.

How many games does Rutgers play in 2026?

Twelve regular season games: seven at SHI Stadium, five on the road, and one bye on October 10. The home schedule includes USC, Indiana, Michigan, Nebraska and Michigan State. The full schedule with expected uniforms is in the grid above.