<P> The rules committee considered widening the playing field to "open up" the game, but Harvard Stadium (the first large permanent football stadium) had recently been built at great expense; it would be rendered useless by a wider field . The rules committee legalized the forward pass instead . Though it was underutilized for years, this proved to be one of the most important rule changes in the establishment of the modern game . Another rule change banned "mass momentum" plays (many of which, like the infamous "flying wedge", were sometimes literally deadly). </P> <P> As a result of the 1905--1906 reforms, mass formation plays became illegal and forward passes legal . Bradbury Robinson, playing for visionary coach Eddie Cochems at Saint Louis University, threw the first legal pass in a September 5, 1906, game against Carroll College at Waukesha . Other important changes, formally adopted in 1910, were the requirements that at least seven offensive players be on the line of scrimmage at the time of the snap, that there be no pushing or pulling, and that interlocking interference (arms linked or hands on belts and uniforms) was not allowed . These changes greatly reduced the potential for collision injuries . Several coaches emerged who took advantage of these sweeping changes . Amos Alonzo Stagg introduced such innovations as the huddle, the tackling dummy, and the pre-snap shift . Other coaches, such as Pop Warner and Knute Rockne, introduced new strategies that still remain part of the game . </P> <P> Besides these coaching innovations, several rules changes during the first third of the 20th century had a profound impact on the game, mostly in opening up the passing game . In 1914, the first roughing - the - passer penalty was implemented . In 1918, the rules on eligible receivers were loosened to allow eligible players to catch the ball anywhere on the field--previously strict rules were in place allowing passes to only certain areas of the field . Scoring rules also changed during this time: field goals were lowered to three points in 1909 and touchdowns raised to six points in 1912 . </P> <P> Star players that emerged in the early 20th century include Jim Thorpe, Red Grange, and Bronko Nagurski; these three made the transition to the fledgling NFL and helped turn it into a successful league . Sportswriter Grantland Rice helped popularize the sport with his poetic descriptions of games and colorful nicknames for the game's biggest players, including Notre Dame's "Four Horsemen" backfield and Fordham University's linemen, known as the "Seven Blocks of Granite". </P>

When did college football go to 15 minute quarters