Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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Tie-Tanic Moments No team ever has benefited from November ties like Notre Dame BY LOU SOMOGYI I n 2010, ESPN.com's Ivan Maisel, one of the premier college football historians, listed the top 10 ties in college football history. No. 1 was Notre Dame's 10-10 ver- dict at Michigan State on Nov. 19, 1966. No. 2 was the 0-0 result versus Army Nov. 9, 1946 in Yankee Stadium. Both were tabbed as "Game of the Century" encounters, and both resulted in Irish national titles — despite SEC teams finishing with unbeaten and untied records in 1946 (Georgia) and 1966 (Alabama). No. 3 was another 10-10 affair, this time between Ohio State and Michi- gan on Nov. 24, 1973 — which again provided a significant assist to Notre Dame toward yet another national title. Here is a look back at those 65th and 45th anniversary national titles in which a November tie helped make it possible — plus one more in 1973 for the road: STYLE POINTS Of the three national titles Notre Dame has won with the assistance of a tie, the 1946 championship might have been the most controversial, mainly because of a boxing analogy. In boxing, if you are the champion and have a draw with a contender, the champion still retains the belt. On Nov. 9, 1946, two-time defending champion Army was No. 1 in the As- sociated Press poll with 64 first-place votes and Notre Dame No. 2 with 51. The game ended scoreless despite some opportunities on both sides. The Cadets were stopped at the Irish 13 in the first quarter, while Notre Dame failed to punch the ball in from the Army 3 in the second quarter. In the second half, Notre Dame's John Lujack made a game-saving tackle on Army's Doc Blanchard (both Heisman winners), and Notre Dame's Terry Brennan recorded an intercep- tion inside his 20 later on that drive. After the 0-0 outcome, Army re- mained No. 1 — and actually gained more first-place votes with 75 to Notre 18 DECEMBER 2011 College Football Hall of Fame inductees Jim Martin (far right, pointing), George Connor (second to right) Dame's 49. The following week, Army trounced No. 5 Penn 34-7 in Philadel- phia. It marked the third time Army defeated a top-five team that year. That week only 87 voters cast a ballot and Army extended its lead over Notre Dame with 58 first-place votes to 16 for the Irish (Georgia received eight and UCLA five). The tipping point was the season finale on Nov. 30. No. 1 Army faced Navy, a team the Irish had white- washed 28-0 the week before the showdown with the Cadets. The Mid- shipmen entered the Army game 1-7, but Navy came within 21-18 and in the closing minute had first down at the Army 3. Three plays lost one yard, and time elapsed just before Navy was able to get off its fourth-down play. Meanwhile, that same day Notre Dame cruised to a 26-6 whipping of No. 16 USC. The final AP poll days later put the Irish No. 1 with 104 first-place votes and John Lujack (third from right) pose with teammates prior to the 1946 showdown with Army. PHOTO COURTESY NOTRE DAME MEDIA RELATIONS and Army No. 2 with 52. Georgia had 23, and UCLA two. Style points counted for Notre Dame. Was that fair? The "Pope of College Football," ESPN's Beano Cook, didn't think so. Army played a tougher over- all schedule, was the two-time defend- ing champ, and Notre Dame was un- able to take the crown from the Cadets when it had the chance. "Notre Dame should have had at least a split national title in 1993 with Florida State, if not the whole thing, because it won head to head in No- vember," Cook said. "But if Notre Dame is going to [moan] about '93, then you should trade the '93 title with the one they won in 1946." GAME OF CENTURY II College football's original "Game of the Century" would not be used again until 20 years later, when No. 1 Notre Dame traveled to No. 2 Michigan State on Nov. 19, 1966. BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED