College football’s charm is a product of many things, but what arguably makes it most special is the unique traditions on game days. One of those odd rituals is currently under fire.
Texas Tech recently banned the throwing of tortillas onto the field during kickoffs, a practice that stretches back decades. In their most recent home game on Oct. 11 against Kansas, the Red Raiders were assessed two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. The Big 12 Conference is now enforcing a new rule enacted in the offseason that penalizes teams for objects being thrown on the field, and Texas Tech has been forced to institute the ban.
As the tortilla controversy has earned national headlines, there’s no better time to explore some of the wildest traditions in college football.
The beloved tortilla tradition at Texas Tech may be no longer. John E. Moore III/Getty Images
Rolling Toomer’s Corner (Auburn)
Auburn fans have established a decades-long tradition after big wins: toilet paper is thrown onto oak trees at Toomer’s Corner in downtown Auburn, named after former State Senator “Shel” Toomer, who founded the 129-year-old Toomer’s Drugs in 1896.
The practice is said to have started when Toomer’s Drugs had the only telegraph in the city. Store employees would celebrate news of Auburn road wins by throwing ticker tape onto power lines. According to Auburn Athletics Director Emeritus David Housel, the throwing of toilet paper onto “Toomer’s Oaks” began in 1972 after a win in the Iron Bowl over rival Alabama.
The original trees had to be removed in 2013 after being poisoned by Alabama fan Harvey Updyke. New live oak trees were planted at Toomer’s Corner in 2015, where the tradition lives on.
The Sod Cemetery (Florida State)
The Seminoles’ tradition preserves chunks of the field from crucial road victories in “The Sod Cemetery” on campus. There are 114 road victories commemorated with grass since 1962, which includes the most recent addition: the 2023 ACC Championship victory over Louisville that completed a 13-0 season.
In advance of a game against Georgia at Sanford Stadium in 1962, longtime Florida State professor and FSU athletic board member Dean Coyle Moore proclaimed, “Bring back some sod from between the hedges at Georgia.”
Against a favored Bulldogs squad, the Seminoles were victorious, 18-0. Team captain Gene McDowell grabbed a piece of grass after the game and gave it to Moore at the next practice. Alongside Moore, coach Bill Petersen had the sod buried to commemorate the win, and a tradition was born. After road wins where Florida State is the underdog and in postseason games, team captains bring back turf to be included in the “Sod Cemetery.”
Toast Throw (University of Pennsylvania)
If you’re missing the tortilla toss, a tradition at Penn may ease some of the disappointment. When the third quarter concludes at every home game, Penn students throw pieces of toast onto the turf at historic Franklin Field. When the Penn band performs “Drink a Highball” and the line “Here’s a toast to dear old Penn” arrives, fans begin the tossing of wheat.
The ritual began in the 1970s after the school banned alcohol at games. In retaliation, students decided to literally “toast” the team and their beloved school. The throwing of toast has expanded to bagels, muffins, and other baked goods over the years. Franklin Field supervisor Tony Overend said in 2005 that approximately 20,000 to 30,000 pieces of toast are thrown per game. The “toast zamboni” vacuums the bread thrown onto the track around the field, which is often donated to local food banks.
Ralphie’s Run (Colorado)
Colorado’s school mascot was determined to be the buffalo in 1934 after a student newspaper contest. In 1966, the student body government decided that Colorado should have a live buffalo mascot. Freshman Class Officer Bill Lowery spoke with his father, and the elder purchased a buffalo calf and donated it to the school that March.
The first “Ralphie” began appearing on the sidelines in October 1966, and on Sept. 16, 1967, the buffalo made its first run onto the field with the players following behind.
This routine has continued ever since, with seven Ralphies having appeared as the team’s mascot. Ralphie VII took over in September after Ralphie VI was retired because of “indifference to running.” Before each home game at Folsom Field, the buffalo runs around the field in a horseshoe pattern. Since 1968, it has been managed by the Ralphie Handlers. A group of 15 well-trained students volunteer 20 to 30 hours a week to manage the buffalo’s field appearances and take care of the animal.
There have been seven buffaloes who have served as Ralphie. Andrew Wevers/Getty Images
Midnight Yell (Texas A&M)
The Midnight Yell is one of college football’s oldest traditions. On the Friday night before home games, over 25,000 Texas A&M fans gather at Kyle Field. Yell Leaders, juniors and seniors elected by the student body each year, direct the crowd to chant in unison, singing songs such as “The Aggie War Hymn.”
Beginning in 1913, yell practice became a tradition after dinner, but the Midnight Yell that exists today didn’t begin until 1931. A group of cadets were hanging out in the dorm room of Peanut Owens. One of them said that the freshmen class should gather at the YMCA building at midnight to practice yells before the game against Texas on the following day. The idea spread around campus after it was discussed with the Yell Leaders, and the tradition was born that evening.
When Owens later became a Yell Leader, his feet were too big to fit on the YMCA steps, so he paced during the yell practice. Yell Leaders now walk during every Midnight Yell.
Spirit Splash (Central Florida)
During homecoming week, UCF students jump into the campus’ Reflecting Pond and grab rubber ducks that are thrown into the water. The story goes that at the homecoming pep rally in 1995, then-student body president Michael Torregrossa was pushed into the pond by other student government members. Others joined him in the pond, and the ritual has continued ever since.
Others believe a different origin story. For a contest in 1994 during the homecoming pep rally, students were accumulating pennies in milk jugs. Shaking their milk containers to get more attention, they then decided to make their way into the pond to go even further with it. More and more students followed them into the water.
However, UCF tells the story of Torregrossa as the official tale when prospective students visit the campus.