Historic games Michigan State Spartans football

the 1966 michigan state vs. notre dame football game ( game of century ) remains 1 of greatest, , controversial, games in college football history. game played in michigan state s spartan stadium on november 19, 1966. michigan state entered contest 9–0 , ranked #2, while notre dame entered contest 8–0 , ranked #1. notre dame elected not try end zone on final series, game ended in 10–10 tie both schools recording national championships.

irish quarterback terry hanratty knocked out after getting sacked in first quarter spartan defensive lineman bubba smith. starting notre dame running nick eddy out entirely after hurting shoulder getting off train in east lansing. michigan state held 10-0 lead in second quarter. irish came back, scoring touchdown right after michigan state s field goal , tied game on first play of fourth quarter. notre dame had ball on own 30-yard line 1:10 go, needing 40 yards game-winning field goal. notre dame coach ara parseghian chose run clock out, not wanting risk turnover, preserving tie , notre dame s #1 ranking. game ended in 10-10 tie.

notre dame beat rose bowl bound usc 51-0 in los angeles next week, completing undefeated regular season , moving them #1 in both polls. irish did not accept bowl bids until 1969, , michigan state victim of pair of big ten rules rescinded few years later: same school not represent league in rose bowl in back-to-back seasons, , league champions accept bowl bid, unless refused rose bowl bid or, because on probation, prohibited accepting bid, which, in either case, go second-place team. despite being big ten champions , undefeated in regular season, in each case 2 seasons in row, spartans not play in rose bowl.

for 50 years, parseghian has defended end-of-the-game strategy, left many fans feeling disappointed @ game not having sort of resolution. college football expert dan jenkins lead off article sports illustrated saying parseghian chose tie 1 gipper. others chided notre dame calling them tying irish instead of fighting irish.

interestingly enough, game not shown live on national tv. each team allotted 1 national television appearance , 2 regional television appearances each season. notre dame had used national tv slot in season opening game against purdue. abc executives did not want show game anywhere regional area, pressure west coast , south (to tune of 50,000 letters) made abc air game on tape delay.

the sporting news named 1966 fighting irish , 1965-66 spartans eleventh , thirteenth greatest teams of 20th century respectively.