Today's Tidbit... 1876 IFA Rule #46: Try At Goal

This is #46 in a series covering football's original 61 rules adopted by the Intercollegiate Football Association in 1876. We review one rule each Friday.

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Of the 61 football rules adopted by the IFA in 1876, Rule 46 best shows how much football has changed in the intervening 147 years since Rule 46 made sense when football was a kicking game. The rule reads:

Rule 46: A side having touched the ball down in their opponents' goal shall try at goal either by a place kick or a punt-out.

A player stretching to touch the ball down. Note that Oberlin’s coach in 1893 was John Heisman. (1893 Oberlin yearbook)