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Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Ol' Huck 'n Buck football photos

In the early glory days of college football, before face masks and the proliferation of the forward pass, photographers struggled with capturing the stars of the day. Photographic technology was still in its infancy. Autofocus, telephoto lenses and color film hadn’t been invented.

Enter Jim Laughead, a zany photographer from Texas, who developed a style of photography coined “Huck ‘N Buck.” Laughead’s idea was to photograph players in poses that added movement and action to the image, while maintaining control over the conditions.

His style was a reflection of his personality, which was a little over the top, to say the least. Laughead would lie on the ground and have players dive at him with their arms in the air as if tackling a ball carrier, landing on their chests. Another popular shot required running backs to hold the ball high in the air while twisting their bodies in one direction and crossing a leg over in the opposite way. Think contortionist and you’ll get the idea.

Oh, and one more thing: All of this done without shoulder pads or helmets.

The style became an industry standard for decades, losing popularity in the late 1970’s with the development of camera technology. Growing up in the 1960’s and 70’s, I have always been a fan of the style, so I thought it would be interesting to photograph current Penn State players in the old-school Huck ‘N Buck style.

Some might call it cheesy. I call it fun.

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Penn State running backs Saquon Barkley and John Cappelletti

Penn State running backs Saquon Barkley and John Cappelletti. Cappelletti is the lone Heisman Trophy winner from PSU, was a consensus All-American and rushed for 1,522 yards and 17 touchdowns in 1973. Joe Hermitt, PennLive; Penn State Athletics

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JOE HERMITT

Penn State offensive linemen Steve Garban and Brian Gaia

Penn State offensive linemen Steve Garban and Brian Gaia. Garban was a captain of the Penn State football team in 1959.

Joe Hermitt, PennLive; Penn State Athletics

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JOE HERMITT

Penn State linebacker Jason Cabinda and defensive lineman Randy Crowder

Penn State linebacker Jason Cabinda and defensive lineman Randy Crowder. Crowder was an All-American defensive lineman in 1973 while playing for Penn State.

Joe Hermitt, PennLive and Penn State Athletics

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JOE HERMITT

Penn State defensive linemen Mike Reid and Garrett Sickels

Penn State defensive linemen Mike Reid and Garrett Sickels. Reid is the only PSU player to win the Outland Trophy as the "outstanding interior lineman in college football". Reid was an All-American in 1969, making 87 tackles and returning an interception for a touchdown against Maryland. He also finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy balloting. Penn State Athletics; Joe Hermitt, PennLive

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JOE HERMITT

Penn State safety Marcus Allen and tight end Ted Kwalick

Penn State safety Marcus Allen and tight end Ted Kwalick. Kwalick played tight end for Penn State from 19666-68. Kwalick caught 86 passes for 1,343 yards and 10 touchdowns. Joe Hermitt, PennLive and Penn State Athletics

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JOE HERMITT

Penn State tight end Mickey Shuler and cornerback John Reid

Penn State tight end Mickey Shuler and cornerback John Reid. Shuler was an All-American and three-time letter winner playing tight end at Penn State from 1975-77.

Penn State Athletics; Joe Hermitt, PennLive

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Penn State linebackers Brandon Bell and Dennis Onkontz. Onkontz was an All-American linebacker at Penn State in 1968 and '69. He amassed 287 tackles and 11 interceptions. Joe Hermitt, PennLive; Penn State Athletics

JOE HERMITT

Penn State linebackers Brandon Bell and Dennis Onkontz

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JOE HERMITT

Penn State wide receivers Chris Godwin and Dave Robinson

Penn State wide receivers Chris Godwin and Dave Robinson. Robinson was a three-year letterman playing on both sides of the ball for Coach Rip Engle. As a senior in 1962, he led Penn State to a 9-1 regular- season, made 17 receptions for 178 yards and was named a first-team All-America.

Joe Hermitt, PennLive; Penn State Athletics

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JOE HERMITT

Penn State offensive linemen Andrew Nelson and Dave Joyner

Penn State offensive linemen Andrew Nelson and Dave Joyner. Joyner played offensive tackle from 1969-71. He earned first-team All-America honors his senior season and was a team co-captain.

Joe Hermitt, PennLive; Penn State Athletics

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JOE HERMITT

Penn State lineman Glenn Ressler and linebacker Nyeem Wartman-White

Penn State lineman Glenn Ressler and linebacker Nyeem Wartman-White. Ressler was a dominant two-way lineman for Penn State from 1962-64. Kessler was a consensus All- American and Maxwell Award winner.

Penn State Athletics; Joe Hermitt, PennLive

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JOE HERMITT

Penn State place kickers Joey Julius and Chris Bahr

Penn State place kickers Joey Julius and Chris Bahr. Bahr led the Nittany Lions in scoring, with four field goals from 50 yards out, including three 55-yarders and was an All-American in 1975. Joe Hermitt, PennLive; Penn State Athletics

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JOE HERMITT

Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley and John Hufnagel

Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley and John Hufnagel. Hufnagel was an All-American in at quarterback for Penn State. He completed 115 of 216 passes for 2,039 yards and 15 scores. Joe Hermitt, PennLive; Penn State Athletics

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JOE HERMITT

Penn State running back Lydell Mitchell and wide receiver DaeSean Hamilton

Penn State running back Lydell Mitchell and wide receiver DaeSean Hamilton. Mitchell was a standout running back for Penn State from 1969-71. Mitchell was an All-America and finished fifth in Heisman Trophy balloting in 1971 after breaking three NCAA season records -- most touchdowns (29), most rushing TDs (26) and points scored (174). Mitchell ran for 1,567 yards in 1971.

Penn State Athletics; Joe Hermitt, PennLive

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Behind the scenes of the photo shoot