CEFL Photo Essay: Chapter I – Seasons 1 & 2

CEFL Season 1:

In the beginning there were 7 Big Ten teams in the CEFL and 7 independent schools. Penn State, Michigan, Michigan State, Purdue, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota in the Big Ten; and Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Nebraska, Tennessee, Washington and Texas as Independent schools. Each Big Ten team played 8 games, 6 in conference and 2 out of conference. Each Independent school played 2 games.

Penn State emerged as a rushing powerhouse, going 7-1 in Season 1. The only team to beat the Nittany Lions was Illinois. However, Illinois suffered devastating losses to Michigan State and Georgia, allowing PSU to represent the Big Ten in Rose Bowl I. The Rose Bowl Commission chose Alabama (2-0) to represent the Independent schools. PSU plowed its way to a victory: 14-7 with 174 rushing yards and 1 passing yard to win Rose Bowl I.

CEFL Season 2:

Kansas State replaced Texas in Season 2, and due, in part, to some rule changes, teams opened up the field with the passing game. PSU was upset in Round 1 by Nebraska (1-1), which used a gimmicky end-around rushing attack to evade the power of the Nittany Lion front line and pull out a close victory. PSU was also defeated by Illinois (6-2), Florida (2-0) and lowly Minnesota (3-5).

It looked like Illinois, which made a run at the Roses in Season 1, but was cursed with a heartbreaking loss at Georgia, would make another run at the Big Ten Championship. However, Michigan State emerged as an offensive machine under the new rules, putting together a circus-show high powered passing attack. MSU (7-1) managed to outlast Illinois in an offensive showdown, and the Spartans’ only loss was to the still dangerous Penn State rushing machine. Interestingly, a previously downtrodden Michigan team (3-5 in Season 1 and 0-4 through the first half of Season 2) seemed to find its rhythm and won the final 4 games of its season (and pushed PSU to the limit in a close loss in Round 4).

The Rose Bowl Commission chose Florida to represent the Independent schools and MSU to represent the Big Ten in Rose Bowl II. Both the high-flying Spartans and more even-handed Gators found themselves in a surprisingly defensive-minded game. With the score tied 0-0 at the end of regulation (each team having 3 possessions), each team ended up with 11 possessions by the end of the game.

MSU scaled back from its normally aggressive offense for fear of making a big mistake in the biggest game of the year and the drama increased with each possession in sudden-death overtime. Finally, MSU broke a few big passes and wore down the rock solid Florida defense, for a 7-0 victory. MSU racked up 161 passing yards and only 20 rushing yards. Florida managed 49 passing yards and -9 rushing yards, due to several QB sacks.

CEFL Season 3: Preseason:

MSU was riding high, but major changes were about to sweep the CEFL game in a new direction. A new set of rules would provide more options for defensive operations. After difficult seasons, Minnesota (combined 4-12), Wisconsin (3-13) and Purdue (7-9) temporarily disbanded their football programs. Ohio State joined the Big Ten.

The Big Ten was also about to be joined by 3 newly organized conferences: the Big Twelve, the PAC Ten and the SEC, plus 4 new Independent schools - Army, Navy, Notre Dame and Syracuse…for a new total of 24 teams – all trying to make their way to Rose Bowl III. Furthermore, all games would be moved from CEFL Stadium to the glaring lights of…Watts Field!!

How would the traditional Big Ten powers fare against the new teams? Would Michigan State’s blitzing air attack succeed on a new field? Would Penn State regain its swagger through a punishing ground game? Could perennial bridesmaid Illinois overcome the curse. Would Michigan continue to build on its 4-0 run at the end of Season 2? How would the Big Ten line up against all of the new teams?

Find out in CEFL Season 3: Chapter II – The Big Ten Conference…