Play Action

While hard-hitting gang-tackling has always been a part of college football's nature, the practice was far more common in the developmental days of the sport. As passing did not become legal until 1906, all the game's action was fought at the line of scrimmage. The leading tackler in this 1928 photo, wearing number two, was Washington's Chuck Carroll. This Hall of Fame halfback played in the era when collegians played most of the entire game, both on offense and defense. When the new passing rule was implemented it opened up the game - but not to the extent of today's offensive game where the total number of passes thrown nearly equals that of running plays. The early passing game was hindered by the ball itself. Prior to 1934, the ball was neither streamlined nor aerodynamic but difficult to grip, heavier to throw and less accurate once in the air.