{"id":1129,"date":"2021-11-15T16:00:34","date_gmt":"2021-11-15T21:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aafoa.org\/articles\/the-game-of-the-century-notre-dame-vs-michigan-state-1966\/"},"modified":"2021-11-15T16:00:34","modified_gmt":"2021-11-15T21:00:34","slug":"the-game-of-the-century-notre-dame-vs-michigan-state-1966","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/aafoa.org\/articles\/the-game-of-the-century-notre-dame-vs-michigan-state-1966\/","title":{"rendered":"The Game Of The Century \u2013 Notre Dame vs. Michigan State 1966"},"content":{"rendered":"

I<\/span>n a game that featured number one against number two \u2014 Notre Dame vs. Michigan State \u2014 college football fans were highly anticipating which team would come out on top. But there was no winner or loser at the end of the day. The 1966 match-up between football\u2019s titans ended in a tie.<\/p>\n

With intense media interest and a fan frenzy surrounding the \u201cGame of the Century,\u201d Jerry Markbreit recalls the point when the anticipation reached its peak.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe crowd was stunned,\u201d Markbreit said. \u201cThere was absolute silence. When we (the officiating crew) ran out of the stadium, you could hear a pin drop. We got back to the student union and the fans had not moved. They were still in the stadium \u2026 waiting for something.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was no need for Markbreit and the rest of the crew to hustle out of Michigan State University\u2019s Spartan Stadium to beat the crowd on Nov. 19, 1966. Many of the 77,000 fans in attendance were stapled to their seats after witnessing a 10-10 tie.<\/p>\n

The atmosphere surrounding the game between top-ranked Notre Dame and second-ranked Michigan State had been decidedly different leading up to that moment of silence. Before the BCS and the \u201cGame of the Century\u201d became a part of college football\u2019s landscape, the Fighting Irish and Spartans slugged it out.<\/p>\n

\u201cBack in those days, we dressed at the hotel,\u201d said Markbreit, who served as the back judge. \u201cThe teams were one-two and it was like a national championship.\u201d<\/p>\n

That reality was not lost upon the late Howard Wirtz, who headed that Big Ten crew, which included Bob Hepler (umpire), Bill Makepeace (head linesman) and Ed Bronson (field judge), all of whom are deceased.<\/p>\n

In a 1985 interview, Hepler, who spent 12 years in the Big Ten and Mid-American conferences before retiring in 1974, commented on the crew\u2019s mentality for the game.<\/p>\n

\u201cEarly in the season we had some difficulty coordinating our coverage,\u201d Hepler explained. \u201cThis was the first year we were assigned as teams (crews) and for some reason we were hesitant in our calls and coverage. I guess each of us was so intent on impressing the other crewmembers, we became overly cautious. I felt we were improving though, for at the Minnesota-Purdue game in Minneapolis the week before we seemed much more comfortable. I knew the game the following week would really test our mettle and be the ultimate criterion on which our performance as a skilled crew would be judged.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to Markbreit, the crew had the right referee leading them into the big game. \u201cHoward was a great leader,\u201d Markbreit said. \u201cHe knew how important it was. When he walked out, everyone knew it would be done well. He\u2019s the reason our crew got that game. In the pregame meetings, he said, \u2018We have to represent all officials in this league and the country.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

There was no shortage of talent representing the universities. Four players from 9-0 Michigan State were later selected within the first eight picks of the 1967 NFL draft. All-American defensive lineman Bubba Smith and running back Clint Jones went as the first two picks. Linebacker George Webster went fifth and receiver Gene Washington eighth.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Notre Dame brought its own collection of skill to East Lansing. However, the Irish ranks were depleted both before and during the game. Notre Dame running back Nick Eddy aggravated a shoulder injury when he slipped on ice while stepping off the train in Michigan.<\/p>\n

When the teams took the field, the crowd noise was intense, according to Hepler.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe roar that came down from that upper deck was deafening,\u201d he said. \u201cIt reminded me of a combination of wind and thunder in a gigantic storm.\u201d<\/p>\n

During the game, a tackle by the Spartans\u2019 Smith sent Notre Dame star quarterback Terry Hanratty out of the contest. While players were pushing for every inch of position in a low-scoring struggle, Wirtz\u2019s crew moved step for step with the action.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was too young to get caught up in the hype,\u201d said Markbreit, who was 31 years old at the time. \u201cI was with a wonderful crew and I didn\u2019t realize until later how big the game was. I don\u2019t think I was more nervous than any other game. I was excited. I was a second-year guy in the Big Ten and in the biggest game in 50 years and I was ready for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Both defenses made sure there wasn\u2019t much offensive firepower in the cold environment. Michigan State managed to build a 10-0 advantage, but Notre Dame closed the gap with a 34-yard touchdown pass by backup quarterback Coley O\u2019Brien.<\/p>\n

The Irish evened the score when Joe Azzaro made a field goal early in the fourth quarter. When Azzaro later lined up for another field goal attempt to possibly push Notre Dame to a lead, the margin between success and failure was paper thin. \u201cIt was just wide,\u201d Markbreit said. \u201cThose days, there was one guy under the goalpost instead of two.\u201d<\/p>\n

Later, Notre Dame took possession at its own 30 with a little more than a minute remaining. The Irish elected to run down the clock and preserve a tie.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe fans felt like they should go for it, but Ara (Parseghian, the Irish\u2019s coach) was a good coach. He knew what he was doing,\u201d Markbreit said.
\nWhen the clock expired, the roar of the crowd \u2014 the fans who had banners that read \u201cBubba for Pope\u201d \u2014 was replaced by stunned silence.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe teams were so good and somebody had to win, but nobody won and that\u2019s what makes sports wonderful,\u201d Markbreit said.<\/p>\n

One of Markbreit\u2019s great satisfactions was the lack of noise directed at the game officials.<\/p>\n

\u201cBoth teams played great and a lot of games back then ended in ties. I felt exhilaration. There were a myriad of great players on both teams and not a peep about the officiating. We had no effect on the outcome.\u201d<\/p>\n

Personally, Markbreit calls the \u201cGame of the Century\u201d a great cornerstone. \u201cGames like that give you the experience and wherewithal to do anything,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Wirtz\u2019s watchful eye played a big part in the smooth flow of the game. \u201cHoward had us ready like a fighter,\u201d Markbreit said. \u201cHe paid so much attention to me. If I had made mistakes, guys would have said, \u2018Why put a second-year guy on that game?\u2019 Howard Wirtz was the Tommy Bell of college officiating.\u201d<\/p>\n

Markbreit felt exhilaration at game\u2019s end, but the teams were hit by exhaustion and pain. In his book, Fighting Back, Notre Dame halfback Rocky Bleier described the postgame. \u201cAlmost everybody was crying. The emotion of the game, the hitting and violent contact, was converted into the emotion of the locker room,\u201d Bleier related.<\/p>\n

The Irish bounced back and went on to defeat USC the following week and claimed a national championship.<\/p>\n

Many on the field at Spartan Stadium went on to pro careers. Smith played with the Baltimore Colts and later forged an acting career, starring in TV roles and in the Police Academy movies. Notre Dame defensive lineman Alan Page was a member of the Minnesota Vikings and went on to a Hall of Fame career. His legal career has also had success. Page is a justice on the Minnesota Supreme Court.<\/p>\n

Markbreit is now retired. He worked 23 years in the NFL, including four Super Bowls. He now trains officials and also speaks to various groups.<\/p>\n

\u201cI speak at a lot of organizations and they always mention the 1966 Notre Dame and Michigan State game when they introduce me, but nobody is old enough in the audience to remember,\u201d Markbreit said.<\/p>\n

When Markbreit sees footage of the game that was a predecessor to the BCS and launched so many careers, he has a brief reaction.<\/p>\n

\u201cGeez, I look 15 years old. I looked young,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

CAPTION:\u00a0Michigan State quarterback Jim Raye throws a pass as Notre Dame\u2019s Pete Duranko closes in. Michigan State built a 10-0 lead in the classic 1966 match-up, but Notre Dame came back to even the score late in the fourth quarter.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The post The Game Of The Century \u2013 Notre Dame vs. Michigan State 1966<\/a> appeared first on Referee.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In a game that featured number one against number two \u2014 Notre Dame vs. Michigan State \u2014 college football fans were highly anticipating which team would come out on top. But there was no winner or loser at the end of the day. The 1966 match-up between football\u2019s titans ended in a tie. With intense […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":1130,"template":"","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}}},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1129","articles","type-articles","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/aafoa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/articles\/1129"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/aafoa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/articles"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/aafoa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/articles"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/aafoa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/articles\/1129\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aafoa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1130"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/aafoa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1129"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aafoa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1129"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aafoa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1129"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}