I can still remember the first time I heard the phrase “Game of the Century”, I was a young boy around eight-years old and my father who was a die-hard Notre Dame fan told me about it. I can remember we were Coho fishing in Lake Michigan on my grandpa’s rowboat with a 20-horse Mercury engine attached. I can still see and for that matter smell the pollution billowing from Gary US Steels smokestacks, but it was heaven to me because I got to hear my father’s recollection of the game. My dad always thought that Ara Parseghian was a great head coach, but he went into a profanity-laced tirade when telling me how Ara settled for a tie against Michigan State in this 1966 classic. So, since I have “College Football Great Teams Volume I” I would like to replay this classic game, however, it would be disrespectful to my father’s memory to just replay it without thoroughly researching this game first. Over the next few days, I will have a series of posts analyzing the offensive and defensive philosophies of each team, talent evaluation of both squads, and starting lineups prior to reliving this game on my tabletop.
I highly recommend that you take a few moments to read Wikipedia’s account of this game. The article provides an excellent introduction, scoring account, explains the controversy and fallout of this game.
Can’t wait to see how this plays out! I love ND and Ara Parseghian. As an Armenian (DerGarabedian) it was always great to see a fellow Armo’s tremendous success. Plus, my Uncle’s name was also Ara (fairly common Armenian first name) and he was a high school football coach. Actually coached three players from Fresno that made it to the NFL; Charlie Young, Rod Perry and Henry Ellard. My uncle Ara died when I was 12. He was only 44. This was 6 months after my mom died in October of 1978; I had just turned 12. She too was only 44. Anytime I see the name Ara I immediately think of my Uncle, football, ND football and Coach Parseghian. I hope The Irish beat the tar out of the Spartans!