9. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?
Answer: D
The name Scarlet Knights most likely refers to clothing worn by Rutgers players in the 1869 game.
The connection between the name "Scarlet Knights" and the clothing worn by Rutgers players during the first intercollegiate football game is evident. The passage notes that some Rutgers players wore scarlet-colored scarves to distinguish themselves, suggesting that the color scarlet is significant to the team's identity.
A) American football has not changed much since the first intercollegiate football game was played.
This option is incorrect as the passage implies that the early game resembled rugby and involved players wearing hats and coats instead of modern protective gear. The evolution of the game is not addressed, making it unreasonable to conclude that little has changed since then.
B) Most early football players did not know how to throw a football properly.
There is no evidence in the passage to support this inference. The text focuses on the attire of the players and the nature of the game, not their skills or abilities, making this option unfounded.
C) Rutgers' current football team is better than Princeton's.
This statement cannot be inferred from the passage. While Rutgers won the first game, the passage does not provide current performance comparisons or data about either team's ongoing success, rendering this option speculative.
D) The name Scarlet Knights most likely refers to clothing worn by Rutgers players in the 1869 game.
This option is correct as the passage directly mentions that Rutgers players wore scarlet scarves during the game. This historical detail likely influenced the choice of the name "Scarlet Knights" for the current team, establishing a clear connection.
Conclusion
The correct inference is that the name "Scarlet Knights" is directly linked to the scarlet scarves worn by Rutgers players in the first intercollegiate football game. All other options either lack support from the passage or make unfounded assumptions about the players' skills and team comparisons. Thus, only option D accurately reflects the information provided.