 Although the Rutgers Scarlet Knights' football team had losing seasons in 2016 and 2015 (won-lost records of 2-10 and 4–8, respectively) it achieved success previously, being invited to the Insight Bowl on December 27, 2005, in which they lost 45 to 40 against Arizona State University.This was Rutgers' first bowl appearance since the December 16, 1978, loss against Arizona State, 34–18, at the Garden State Bowl.The 2006 football season also saw Rutgers being ranked within the Top 25 teams in major college football polls.