Rutgers is heading back under the Friday night lights this fall.
The Scarlet Knights are set to travel to Boston College for a primetime matchup on Friday, September 11, marking a return to Friday night action after playing two such games last season. While those outings didn’t go Rutgers’ way - losses to Iowa at home and Washington on the road - this year’s trip to Chestnut Hill carries a bit more intrigue.
For starters, there’s some recent history between these programs. Rutgers last visited Boston College to open the 2022 season and pulled off a gritty 22-21 win - a victory that snapped an 11-game losing streak.
Still, Boston College holds a commanding edge in the all-time series, leading 20-7-1. But with the Eagles coming off a tough 2-10 campaign, this could be a pivotal early-season opportunity for Rutgers to build momentum.
And then there’s the quarterback storyline that adds a whole new layer to this matchup. Dylan Lonergan, Boston College’s starting QB from 2025, has made the move to Piscataway via the transfer portal.
Now in a Rutgers uniform, he’ll be battling AJ Surace for the starting job. If Lonergan wins that battle, he could find himself back at Alumni Stadium - this time leading the other side.
That’s the kind of narrative that writes itself: a former starter returning to face his old team under the Friday night spotlight.
Rutgers opens the 2026 season at home against UMass on September 5, followed by the trip to Boston College. The Knights will also face Howard in their non-conference slate before diving into Big Ten play. The full conference schedule, including dates and times, is expected to drop Tuesday evening.
So circle September 11 on the calendar. It’s more than just a Friday night game - it’s a chance for Rutgers to make a statement early, potentially with a familiar face at quarterback leading the charge against his former team.