| Mode: | football |
| Year: | 1996 |
| Team: | Rutgers Scarlet Knights |
| Conference: | Big East Conference |
| Conference Link: | Big East Conference (1979–2013) |
| Short Conf: | Big East |
| Record: | 2–9 |
| Conf Record: | 1–6 |
| Head Coach: | Terry Shea |
| Hc Year: | 1st |
| Off Coach: | Terry Shea |
| Oc Year: | 1st |
| Def Coach: | Rod Sharpless |
| Dc Year: | 1st |
| Stadium: | Rutgers Stadium Giants Stadium |
The 1996 Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team represented Rutgers University in the 1996 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their first season under head coach Terry Shea, the Scarlet Knights compiled a 2–9 record, were outscored by opponents 380 to 143, and finished in seventh place in the Big East Conference.[1] The team's statistical leaders included Mike Stephans with 918 passing yards, Chad Bosch with 523 rushing yards, and Steven Harper with 321 receiving yards.[2]