(Video courtesy of the Hardcore College Football History YouTube Channel.)
Imagine playing a game that was so bad back then, it led to significant changes that helped create the sport of college football as we know it today.
Well, that's what this week's post of "RFC Throwback Thursday" is all about. This edition takes us back to 1881, when Princeton faced Yale in the so-called "Block Game".
The contest in question pitted the undefeated Tigers against the undefeated Bulldogs on November 24, 1881. In a game that bore more resemblance to rugby than the modern American game of today, both teams fought to a 0-0 tie. The lack of scoring, for all intents and purposes, led to numerous rule changes that resulted in the invention of modern American football. Among the changes was the invention of the "down and distance" rule (ex, "1st down and 10 yards to go").
As for how both teams' seasons turned out, Princeton finished the 1881 season with a record of 7-0-2, while Yale ended its campaign with a 5-0-1 mark.
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