College Football Facts
In Division I-A All-Time Records, Rutgers holds the record for having the most number of games played with 1,178 and they also hold the record for most seasons by a collegiate team with 135. However, Michigan holds the record for most number of victories with 841 in 126 seasons.
In terms of all-time most points scored, Oklahoma has set the record at 28,433 points scored in 1,087 games played in the school's football history. Michigan is next with 28,257 points scored in 1,153 games followed by Nebraska which has compiled 27,999 points in 1,153 games.
The winningest major college football coach is Bobby Bowden with total wins of 351 as of the last season. He has compiled these wins from his coaching stints at Samford, West Virginia and currently in Florida State where he has been head coach since 1976. Following Bowden are Joe Paterno of Pennsylvania with 343 total wins and the late Paul W. "Bear" Bryant with 323 total wins.
In single-games freshmen NCAA Football records, the most plays made by a freshman quarterback was 80 by Luke McCown of Louisiana Tech in October 28, 2000. He also holds the record for most passes attempted by a freshman at 72 and most passes completed by a freshman at 47.
Just last season, Oklahoma's Adrian Peterson broke the NCAA freshman record for rushing yards when he totaled 1,925 yards and shattered the previous record of 1,863 yards set by Ron Dayne of Wisconsin in 1996. He also holds the record for most games with 100 or more rushing yards at 11.
In Division I-A All-Time Records, Rutgers holds the record for having the most number of games played with 1,178 and they also hold the record for most seasons by a collegiate team with 135. However, Michigan holds the record for most number of victories with 841 in 126 seasons.
By 1875, Columbia, Yale, Harvard, and Stevens Tech fielded teams. An egg-shaped, leather-covered rugby ball was adopted for play and three officials, a judge from each team plus a referee to settle disputes, were on hand for each game.
In 1877, the first real football uniform was devised by L.P. Smock, a Princeton player. It consisted of a tightly-laced canvas jacket, black knee pants, stockings and a jersey trimmed in orange.
By 1894, the game required a triumvirate of officials: a referee, an umpire, and linesman. A field judge was added in 1908, but was only made permanent in 1915. In 1955, a back judge was added. A line judge was added in 1972 while a side judge was added in 1983.
In 1896, a spheroid-shaped ball had been adopted for play but specific measurements did not go into effect until 1912. Further revisions in specs from 1929 to 1941 led to narrower, more bullet-shaped balls. White and other-colored balls were allowed for night games. Rubber-covered balls were permitted in 1956, but were ruled illegal in 1993.
In 1903, Harvard opened the first stadium designed specifically for football.
Plastic helmets came into wide use after World War II. Protective gear like shoulder pads, knee pads, hip pads, and thigh pads evolved in the 20th century and became larger and stronger in recent decades. Face masks made of non-breakable wire were made legal in 1951. Mouth protectors were first required in 1973.
On January 1, 1935, two years after the inaugural Palm Festival game, it was played for the first time under the Orange Bowl name.
This year marks the second straight season and the third time in five years that the University of Oklahoma will play in the National Championships. It also marks the Sooners' 17th appearance in the Orange Bowl.
This is only the second time that the University of Southern California (USC) will appear in the Orange Bowl.
Since the BCS was implemented in 1998, this is the first time that there are more than two unbeaten teams from major conferences. Auburn joins USC and Oklahoma for that distinction as all three teams were 12-0 this season.
This year, the University of Utah made history by becoming the first team from a non-BCS conference to play in one of the four Elite Bowls that form the BCS.
The roots of the Orange Bowl can be found in the Palm Festival game that pitted the University of Miami against Manhattan College on New Year's Day 1933. It was the brainchild of George E. Hussey, athletic director for Florida Power & Light, and Earnie Seiler, Miami 's recreation director. Having seen the success of the Rose Bowl in California, they sought to make the Palm Festival its Florida counterpart and serve as an attraction during the Depression.