Back to College

The Passion. The enthusiasm. Stadiums holding over 100,000 people. Young fans, and their parents, who are alumni. Bands, cheerleaders, uniforms. Traditions and rivalries. The Big Ten. Texas (the whole state).

Mascots and beer. Larger-than-life coaches.

Joy. Despair.

I love it all.

Here are some of my favorite images from my career shooting college football.

Photographs by Walter Iooss Jr.



Fans at the 1981 Orange Bowl between Florida State and Oklahoma.
Fans at the 1981 Orange Bowl between Florida State and Oklahoma. /
Texas’ Jim Bertelsen rushing against Arkansas in 1970.
Texas’ Jim Bertelsen rushing against Arkansas in 1970. /
Michigan’s Paul Seymour (85), QB Don Moorhead (27) and Dan Dierdorf (72) upset after losing against Ohio State in 1970.
Michigan’s Paul Seymour (85), QB Don Moorhead (27) and Dan Dierdorf (72) upset after losing against Ohio State in 1970. /
At left, an Alabama cheerleader during a game against LSU in 1972. At right, Ohio State’s Jim Otis celebrates a win over Michigan in 1968.
At left, an Alabama cheerleader during a game against LSU in 1972. At right, Ohio State’s Jim Otis celebrates a win over Michigan in 1968. /
Tennessee’s Steve Kiner against Alabama at Legion Field in 1967.
Tennessee’s Steve Kiner against Alabama at Legion Field in 1967. /
Colorado’s defense in a pileup tackle against Penn State at Folsom Field in 1970.
Colorado’s defense in a pileup tackle against Penn State at Folsom Field in 1970. /
USC’s O.J. Simpson after a tie vs. Notre Dame in 1968.
USC’s O.J. Simpson after a tie vs. Notre Dame in 1968. /
Georgia’s Scott Woerner makes an interception against Notre Dame’s Pete Holohan at the Louisiana Superdome during the 1981 Sugar Bowl.
Georgia’s Scott Woerner makes an interception against Notre Dame’s Pete Holohan at the Louisiana Superdome during the 1981 Sugar Bowl. /
Ohio State’s Jim Otis scoring a touchdown against Michigan at Ohio Stadium in 1968.
Ohio State’s Jim Otis scoring a touchdown against Michigan at Ohio Stadium in 1968. /
USC’s Mike Garrett tackled by UCLA’s Don Manning at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in 1965.
USC’s Mike Garrett tackled by UCLA’s Don Manning at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in 1965. /
Alabama coach Bear Bryant before a game against Tennessee in 1981.
Alabama coach Bear Bryant before a game against Tennessee in 1981. /
Alabama QB Joe Namath against Texas in the Orange Bowl in 1965.
Alabama QB Joe Namath against Texas in the Orange Bowl in 1965. /
USC’s O.J. Simpson after being tackled by Notre Dame at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in 1968.
USC’s O.J. Simpson after being tackled by Notre Dame at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in 1968. /
UCLA quarterback Gary Beban calls a play in the huddle against USC in 1965.
UCLA quarterback Gary Beban calls a play in the huddle against USC in 1965. /
Texas’ Earl Campbell runs against the Notre Dame defense in the 1978 Cotton Bowl.
Texas’ Earl Campbell runs against the Notre Dame defense in the 1978 Cotton Bowl. /
Oklahoma’s Billy Sims rushing against Ohio State in 1977.
Oklahoma’s Billy Sims rushing against Ohio State in 1977. /
Walter Iooss Jr. on the sidelines during USC versus Nebraska game at Memorial Stadium in 1969.
Walter Iooss Jr. on the sidelines during USC versus Nebraska game at Memorial Stadium in 1969. /

FEATURED STORIES