Old NCAA rules.

[Steven Tyler]

I watched footage from the 1956 Notre Dame/Oklahoma game a few days ago. A lot of things were definitely different than today.

From what I could tell, it looked like they played one platoon football. I only one time saw what looked to be a wholesale substitution from Oklahoma. I did notice that many of the same numbers where playing on offense and defense for both teams. I don't actually know how many players a team traveled with back then, but the Sooners had 40, and they all played. I suppose with such small numbers many players went both ways.

I saw Paul Hornung playing safety, quarterback, and punter. No placekicks since the final score was 40-0, Sooners. It appeared no player from Oklahoma even donned a face mask. The Notre Dame helmets looked dated, and had a huge X symbol on them.

Notre Dame finished 2-8 that season, and Hornung had seven turnovers in the game, but it didn't stop him from winning the Heisman though. He looked kind of gun shy on defense also. The Irish had some other turnovers as well.

I did however notice on extra point kicks, the white hat stood behind the placekicker, and signaled if the try for point was good or missed.

I was wondering if anybody knew anything about the old rules of one platoon football, and how substitutions where handled back then. It seems I do recall reading once back in some earlier days if a player got substituted for he couldn't come back in until the quarter he left in was over.

I was also wondering if anybody could give some information on the rules of the era, and referee mechanics, and the differences from the game today. Just a fan that loves history.

Thanks in advance.