The official State names of the schools are among the longest in the nation.
Fred Ditmar had the honor to don the Rutgers Chanticleer outfit to start the 1953 season when Virginia Tech visited Rutgers on October 3. This was the “pre-Hokie” V-Tech and "pre-Scarlet Knights" Rutgers that were known by different nicknames. It was the fighting rooster vs. the Fighting Gobblers. The Tuesday’s Targum reported that on Rutgers first play from its 41 yard line, “Fennell hurls a touchdown pass to Steve Johnson. But before passing, he faked such a deceptive hand off to Triggs that he also faked the referee. The ref blew his whistle when Triggs was tackled, killing the play in mid-air and the play was nullified.” Trailing 13-0 at the half, the Chanticleer crowed for the rest of the game and won 20-13. The opening day crowd drew 10,000.
Fred Ditmar had the honor to don the Rutgers Chanticleer outfit to start the 1953 season when Virginia Tech visited Rutgers on October 3. This was the “pre-Hokie” V-Tech and "pre-Scarlet Knights" Rutgers that were known by different nicknames. It was the fighting rooster vs. the Fighting Gobblers. The Tuesday’s Targum reported that on Rutgers first play from its 41 yard line, “Fennell hurls a touchdown pass to Steve Johnson. But before passing, he faked such a deceptive hand off to Triggs that he also faked the referee. The ref blew his whistle when Triggs was tackled, killing the play in mid-air and the play was nullified.” Trailing 13-0 at the half, the Chanticleer crowed for the rest of the game and won 20-13. The opening day crowd drew 10,000.
