| Year: | 1979 |
| Team: | Rutgers Scarlet Knights |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Independent |
| Record: | 8–3 |
| Head Coach: | Frank R. Burns |
| Hc Year: | 7th |
| Stadium: | Rutgers Stadium Giants Stadium |
The 1979 Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team represented Rutgers University in the 1979 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their seventh season under head coach Frank R. Burns, the Scarlet Knights compiled an 8-3 record while competing as an independent. The team outscored its opponents 243 to 174. Against ranked opponents, the team lost, 45-10, to #7 Penn State and defeated #17 Tennessee, 13-7.[1] [2] The team's statistical leaders included Ed McMichael with 1,529 passing yards, Albert Ray with 567 rushing yards, and David Dorn with 468 receiving yards.[3]