America’s obsession with college football got its start 145 years ago, with the first documented game between two American colleges in New Brunswick, New Jersey on November 6, 1869. Rutgers and Princeton (then called the College of New Jersey) were the participants, with Rutgers winning 6-4.

The game had little resemblance to the one millions of Americans devote their autumn Saturdays to now. The teams lined up 25 to a side and had to advance a perfectly spherical ball by hitting or kicking it (no running or passing allowed), before scoring a “run” by kicking it into the opposing goal. Consider this proto-game a rough mix of soccer and rugby. (This painting by Arnold Friberg illustrates the chaos that the first game might have looked like.) Both teams made use of the flying wedge formation, a devastatingly effective tactic where a wall of players advance by locking arms. (The move was too devastating, as it turned out. The flying wedge was a popular tactic in football’s early days, but caused so many injuries that it was banned.)

The revered tradition of smack talk from fans also got its start during this game. About 100 spectators showed up to watch the contest, including a Rutgers professor who allegedly waved his umbrella toward the field and yelled “You will come to no Christian end!” (Hey buddy, just calm down. OK?) The curse might have been directed at Princeton’s players after a particularly rough scoring play, or it might have been an expression of disgust at the whole violent spectacle.

Princeton earned some payback with an 8-0 win during a rematch a week later. (Each team won on its own campus.) A third game had been planned, but was called off. One supposed reason: Professors and college administrators worried the young men were taking too much time away from their studies to focus on football.

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