LIFE on the gridiron: Old-school college football photos

Pittsburgh vs. West Virginia, 1953. (Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images)

Syracuse vs. Texas, 1960 Cotton Bowl. Syracuse beat Texas 23-14 behind a great performance by Ernie Davis, the first African American to win the Heisman. (Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images)

An SMU cheerleader shows his spirit at a University of Texas football game, 1950. (Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images)

Minnesota University's Paul Giel, exhausted after a 67-yard run which set up Minnesota's only touchdown against USC, puts an ice pack on his head, 1953. (Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images)

Trinity's Charles Sticka, 1955. (Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images)

Navy fans, 1953. (Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images)