Credit: Fanbase.com

The “Era of Ara” was off and running as the Irish entered the 1966 season.

1964 had featured a Notre Dame team that came with a “game changing call” of winning the national championship at USC in Ara Parseghian’s first season. 1965 resulted in a 7-2-1 finish, with a late season loss to Michigan State as the Spartans would share the national championship that season with Alabama.

The Irish entered the 1966 season ranked #6 and would eventually grab the #1 ranking after a convincing 38-0 win over #10 Oklahoma on Oct. 22. They would carry this ranking into their Nov. 19 showdown against #2 Michigan State with a national championship on the line.

The Irish would face numerous challenges as they took the field in front of 80,000+ and 33 million national television viewers. For example, the Spartans had one of the greatest defenses in the history of their program. They had not lost at home since October of 1964 (vs. Michigan) and the Irish came into the game battered as they would play without their starting running back Nick Eddy.

During the game, the situation continued to worsen for Notre Dame as starting quarterback Terry Hanratty was knocked out early along with All-American center Bob Goeddeke. Eddy’s replacement, Bob Gladieux, was also later sent to the sidelines with an injury. (“My quadriceps muscle was splattered into hamburger meat & my thigh pad busted into four pieces,” Gladieux would recall years later.)

In a game that will be remembered for conservative play and thunderous hitting the Irish fell behind 10-0 in the second quarter. The Irish would rally, narrowing the gap to 10-7 before halftime and eventually tying the score on the first play of the fourth quarter.

Enter the controversy which still endures today.

With 1:24 remaining, the Irish would get the ball back with a chance to break the tie. After four straight running plays to net a first down, the Irish were sacked on their only passing attempt on the drive. On the following play, Parseghian instructed his quarterback to simply run out the clock thus ending this epic in a 10-10 tie.

To this day Parseghian is criticized by many. However, his logic was sound. He understood that the only way the Irish could lose the national championship was to lose.

Michigan State was ineligible for a bowl game (The Big 10 did not allow the same team to go to the Rose Bowl in consecutive years) so they were playing their final game of the season. This would not be the case for Notre Dame, as they had one more chance to state their case that they were worthy of being #1.

The following week Notre Dame smashed #10 USC 51-0 to clearly and unequivocally state their case that they were indeed #1. The pollsters agreed. On Saturday, the Irish and Michigan State will celebrate the 50^th Anniversary of this epic clash. ESPN or some other network will rehash the game leading to a new generation of talking heads that will debate and criticize Ara’s decision. What cannot be debated is that his decision resulted in a national championship for Notre Dame.

The post Looking Back at ND-MSU ’66: A Tie to Win appeared first on Her Loyal Sons.

Irish Player Charities, a Notre Dame affinity social network community, thanks all Veterans for their service. We also want to salute Rocky Bleier and name Brady Quinn’s 3rd and Goal Foundation as IPC’s featured foundation for November.

Rick Mirer, founder of the affinity social network community “Irish Player Charities” announces Brady Quinn’s 3rd and Goal Foundation will be the featured charity for November. He also announces creation of a Facebook page “Fighting Irish Fans who are Veterans or Currently Serving.”

Mirer, a social entrepreneur, philanthropist and former NFL player, was integral in creating the initial Irish Player Charities social media presence that has now evolved into an ASNC.

“I think I speak for most Notre Dame and NFL players in saying we have great respect for our Armed Forces,” says Mirer. “The men and women who serve our country are the real heroes. We are all aware of the sacrifices made by military families across the nation. The Mirer Family Foundation, is committed to assist programs helping educate the children of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.”

“IPC is proud to recognize our November featured charity, Brady Quinn’s 3rd and Goal Foundation,” Mirer stated. “Brady’s foundation helps homeless veterans find housing that offers a supportive environment free of drugs and alcohol.”

Brady Quinn, currently playing for the St. Louis Rams, chose to focus his charitable efforts on veterans due to his great respect for those who have served including his father and grandfather.

The men and women who serve our country are the real heroes. We are all aware of the sacrifices made by military families across the nation. – Rick Mirer

IPC also wishes to salute former Notre Dame and NFL star Rocky Bleier and all Notre Dame alumni who served. Bleier was a member of the 1966 National Championship team and captain of the 1967 squad. He had already begun a professional football career when he was called to service. He volunteered for duty in Vietnam and suffered severe injuries in combat that most thought would end his potential professional career. Instead, Bleier played for a decade with the Pittsburgh Steelers and won four Super Bowl Rings.

IPC also announces creation of a facebook page for Notre Dame fans in service. Mirer stated “‘Fighting Irish Fans who are Veterans or Currently Serving‘ is a place for all Notre Dame fans to honor the military. We look forward to connecting with the global Notre Dame military family through this new page as well as our tribute in a special website section on goirishipc.org.”

About Fighting Irish Fans who are Veterans or Currently Serving: This Facebook page has been created as a direct presence for sharing pictures and information about Notre Dame fans in the military.

About Irish Player Charities:

Irish Player Charities is an affinity social network community that unites Notre Dame sports fans and creates visibility for charitable and community service efforts by University of Notre Dame coaches and player alumni. It also serves as a place where all Notre Dame players, family, friends, alumni and fans can gather. It is not a company or a not for profit. Instead it is a privately financed place where all the Notre Dame global community can network with each other. It is a hub collecting Notre Dame sports related information to allow “one stop” viewing. All those involved in social media are welcomed to join to create visibility for their presences.

Cheers & GO Irish!

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