— West Virginia Football (@WVUfootball) May 5, 2025
Cue the nostalgia — and the old gold. West Virginia University is throwing it all the way back to 1965 with a special edition uniform that’s more than just a retro look. It's a tribute to one of the most storied seasons in Mountaineer football history — and a design that has never truly been replicated... until now.
the 1965 throwback uniform marks a first-of-its-kind effort from WVU: a true historical replica that brings to life the textures, tones, and traditions of a team that not only dominated the Southern Conference but lit up the scoreboard in a record-setting Backyard Brawl.
“It was an opportunity to do a true throwback, which we haven’t done,” said WVU deputy director of athletics Matt Wells. “We thought with the unique nature of that helmet, and the helmet logo with the baby blue, it was probably the most unique element of any of the past uniforms that we could potentially replicate.”
It’s what turned heads then, and it’s what turns heads now: a three-dimensional navy blue WVU logo, outlined in gold, laid atop a light-blue silhouette of the state of West Virginia. Set against an old gold shell, it looked ahead of its time back in ’65 — like technicolor in a black-and-white world.
The helmet design was so iconic that WVU athletic director Wren Baker made it a personal mission to revisit the look as soon as he spotted it in the Hall of Traditions.
“The inspiration really came shortly after Wren got here,” Wells said. “He was familiarizing himself with the history of Mountaineer football, and he saw the 1965 helmet on display… that started a conversation of, ‘Hey, what can we do with that?’”
Some versions of the original helmet had a single blue stripe, while others didn’t. Split end Bob Dunlevy recalled, with a laugh, that the inconsistency probably came down to the infamous resourcefulness of longtime equipment manager Carl Roberts.
“I kept my helmet because I needed it to play in the North-South game after the season,” Dunlevy said. “I’m sure Carl was probably after me to return it, but I kept it, and I still have it.”
The throwback uniform does more than just replicate an old look — it marks 60 years since WVU’s 1965 conference championship season, a year highlighted by the highest-scoring Backyard Brawl in history, a 63-48 win over Pitt.
While the look came from the past, the design process was very much rooted in the present. Kristin Coldsnow, the creative force behind WVU’s recent themed uniforms, was brought back to lead the design — ensuring everything from the shade of blue to the state outline was authentic. She worked closely with Nike to match every detail.
Equipment staffer Austin Blake helped perfect the helmet’s bumper colors and logo placement, while WVU’s internal uniform brain trust — including Michael Fragale and Joe Swan — all contributed during the design phase.
Boise State is bringing art to the gridiron. For its Sept. 27 showdown against App State, the Broncos will debut the “Front Porch of Idaho” hand-painted helmet, a one-of-a-kind design that pays tribute to the beauty of Boise, The Blue, and the state of Idaho.
The helmet, crafted by artist Armando Villarreal, wraps around Boise State’s iconic blue shell with intricate white airbrushing accented in the Broncos’ signature orange. Every detail tells a piece of Idaho’s story:
Right Side: A galloping Bronco charging forward, symbolizing strength and tradition.
Left Side: The Idaho State Capitol framed by the scenic Boise foothills and the “City of Trees.”
Back: Albertsons Stadium and its world-famous blue turf above the Boise River, complete with tree-lined landscapes.
Finishing Touches: A bold orange flash in the Bronco’s eye and the end zones, plus a front bumper etched with “208,” representing both Idaho’s area code and the height of the Capitol dome.
The Arizona Cardinals are bringing the storm to the desert. On June 5, the team unveiled their new Rivalries uniform, a look forged by sand, heat, and grit set to debut under the lights on Thursday Night Football when they host the Seattle Seahawks.
Running back James Conner, fresh off a video shoot where movie magic transformed him into the middle of a sandstorm, summed up the new fit perfectly: “Desert vibe, the sand, everything plays into it. The copper, the details, I just think it’s awesome. The perfect fit.”
The Cardinals teased a storm for more than a year, and now it’s here. The Rivalries uniform captures Arizona’s harsh but beautiful landscape:
Sandblasted matte helmet with a 3D birdhead logo and copper beak.
Tan, red, and copper color palette, echoing both the Desert Cardinal and the commerce that built the state.
Arizona state flag within the outline of the state on the shoulder.
Design elements inspired by the desert’s resilience — from scorching heat to swirling sandstorms.
Owner Michael Bidwill called the uniform a true embodiment of Arizona’s toughness: “The design reflects the strength and toughness required to thrive in the desert and celebrate the passion and perseverance that define us. The sandstorm imagery is a fitting metaphor for our identity as a team and a region.”
Quarterback Kyler Murray didn’t hold back either: “I told (equipment manager Jeff Schwimmer) these were the best jerseys we’ve got. Probably the best jerseys I’ve seen us wear. They turned out perfect.”
Linebacker Zaven Collins echoed the fan-first vision: “I feel like this is something the Valley wanted and everyone will love it.”
The Cardinals are among the first eight teams, along with the rest of the NFC West and AFC East, to take part in the Rivalries program, Nike’s new multi-year initiative that celebrates the culture, history, and communities that fuel the NFL’s most storied matchups. Each team’s Rivalry uniform will be worn once a season for the next three years, with other divisions joining in from 2026 through 2028.
For the Cardinals, the Rivalries debut isn’t just about a new look. It’s a statement. Forged in desert heat, built to withstand the storm, and designed to showcase Arizona’s identity to the world.
Friday night in Charlottesville is shaping up to be one of the biggest games Scott Stadium has hosted in years. No. 8 Florida State comes to town, and Virginia is marking the occasion by turning back the clock in a big way.
With the 2025 season marking the 25th anniversary of UVA’s legendary goal-line stand against then-No. 2 Florida State, one of the program’s all-time upsets, the Cavaliers will take the field in throwback uniforms inspired by that iconic moment.
Unveiled in a high-energy video featuring former QB Mike Groh and current receivers Jahmal Edrine and Trell Harris, the new uniforms are a clean and simple nod to the past. The blue jerseys feature old-school “V” sleeve details, paired with classic white pants and navy lids for a timeless combo. The vibe is all 1995, and it’s already drawing rave reviews from fans and media alike.
It’s time for the UNISWAG Weekly Countdown for the 2025 College Football Season, Presented by Big Game USA!
Each week, we highlight the cleanest, boldest, and most innovative uniforms across the college football landscape, all building toward that coveted No. 1 spot.
Check out the Week 4 Uniform of the Week Countdown as we celebrate the designs that made the biggest impact on the field!
Just a week after debuting the unforgettable “Shoe Duck” uniforms honoring Nike co-founder Phil Knight, the Oregon Ducks are once again turning heads with another unique twist to their game-day look.
With a massive Week 5 showdown against the Penn State Nittany Lions on deck, Oregon has revealed a fresh footwear innovation, the “Mummy Duck” Vaporposite cleats.
At first glance, the cleats appear to be a sleek all-white design, perfect for blending into Penn State’s iconic white-out environment at Beaver Stadium. But the real magic comes when the lights go out. Built with glow-in-the-dark technology, the cleats transform into “mummy mode,” glowing under the stadium’s advanced LED light system. With Penn State often using blackout moments for dramatic effect during games, the Ducks will literally shine when the spotlight fades.
This latest reveal shows once again how Oregon continues to push the boundaries of on-field style and storytelling.
The Cleveland Browns just let the Dawg out — and it’s Alpha. For the first time in franchise history, the Browns will don an all-brown helmet, dubbed the “Alpha Dawg”, to pair with an all-brown uniform combo during the 2025 NFL season.
"Alpha Dawg" isn’t just a name — it’s a mentality. The matte brown shell, brown facemask, and bold brown stripe framed by two iconic orange stripes scream intimidation and intensity. It’s a powerful nod to the franchise’s deep-rooted color identity and a clear message: there’s a new leader of the pack in Cleveland.
"'Alpha Dawg' embodies what we set out to be as the Cleveland Browns, the leaders of the pack,” said JW Johnson, Executive VP and Partner of the Browns. “We’re excited about this new alternate helmet and the ode it pays to the rich history of the color brown.”
The Browns will debut this look during three home games at Huntington Bank Field: Sept. 21 vs. Green Bay Packers, Oct. 19 vs. Miami Dolphins, Dec. 7 vs. Tennessee Titans
Thanks to the NFL’s updated helmet policy introduced in 2022, teams can now rock a third helmet option if it aligns with one of their approved alternate uniforms. For Cleveland, the “Alpha Dawg” helmet joins the white throwback as one of the team’s official alternate lids. While the orange remains the classic, the brown makes a powerful case for the present — and the future.
The New Orleans Saints are stepping into the 2025 season with a fresh look up top. The team revealed a brand-new white alternate helmet, joining the growing list of NFL squads expanding their lid lineup under the league’s relaxed alternate helmet rules.
The new shell stays true to the Saints’ identity while introducing a fresh, modern twist. It features a crisp white base adorned with subtle black flecks, giving the helmet a speckled texture that fans have already compared to vanilla ice cream, a playful nod to New Orleans’ King Cake culture. The iconic gold fleur-de-lis logo remains front and center on both sides, while a bold gold stripe runs down the middle of the helmet, embossed with repeated fleur-de-lis symbols for added depth and detail. That stripe is bordered by two thin black lines for contrast, and the look is finished off with gold facemasks that tie the whole aesthetic together.
Unlike the Saints’ black alternate helmet introduced in 2022, the white version drops the fade or taper effect and keeps things sharp and symmetrical.
The Saints confirmed that the white helmet will debut with their Color Rush uniforms — a fan-favorite combo of white jersey and white pants, accented with gold numbers and black-and-gold trim.
Previously, the black helmet was always paired with the Color Rush set. It made four appearances over the last three seasons but never in the Superdome. With the arrival of the white shell, that lid might now rotate into black-on-black combos, giving the Saints more flexibility and, hopefully, better results.
The UNISWAG Uniform of the Week Countdown is back for Week 1 of college football!
Check out which teams are turning heads with their uniform combos this weekend. The official Top 10 drops monday, leading up to the reveal of the Week 4 Uniform of the Week winner.
𝐀 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫: The story of Georgia Tech football’s grey alternate uniforms and their nod to the past, present and future of Georgia Tech.
It’s time for the UNISWAG Weekly Countdown for the 2025 College Football Season, Presented by Big Game USA!
Each week, we highlight the cleanest, boldest, and most innovative uniforms across the college football landscape, all building toward that coveted No. 1 spot.
Check out the Week 3 Uniform of the Week Countdown as we celebrate the designs that made the biggest impact on the field!
