Yanks are in first place; just picked up my football preview issue; wife working late again; just finished watching a tape of the famous (infamous?) tie with Michigan St. in the 1966 game of the century. I watched the game on T.V. in 66 as a teenager. At the time I didn't get why Ara was catching flak. It didn't look to me like he was playing for a tie. Watching the replay confirms my original conclusion. My evidence.
1. Both State and the Irish had all their time outs when ND took over the ball with about 54 sec. left. ND started their drive on their own 30. ND was 8/24 passing at the time. The whole second half was characterized by numerous plays for losses by both defenses.
2. ND ran 3 plays for 9 yards. State called quick time outs each time. ND didn't have to. Smart. ND would retain time but if State did get the ball back their TO would be used up.
3. ND went for a first down on 4th down on their own 39. Ara could have just punted the ball away if he was clearly playing for a tie.
4. On first down O'Brien went back to pass and was sacked.
5. With only 6 seconds left the last play was a run. Their was no way ND was going to get into field goal range.
Early in the 4th quarter. State ran the ball in what seemed like obvious passing downs. Neither team was having any success in the second half getting the ball down field. In fact ND picked off 3 passes/2 in the fourth quarter. One was returned to the 18 yard line. Eventually ND missed a 46 yard field goal, which likely would have been the game winner.
It was a tenacious game; fought hard to the end. ND was playing at the end to try to get into field goal range. The sack on first down in the last series sealed the deal.
Sorry for maybe a meaningless post. Ara was a great coach. People forget in the Anthony Davis game ND was missing 7 of their best players (suspension), but ND was still competitive.
1. Both State and the Irish had all their time outs when ND took over the ball with about 54 sec. left. ND started their drive on their own 30. ND was 8/24 passing at the time. The whole second half was characterized by numerous plays for losses by both defenses.
2. ND ran 3 plays for 9 yards. State called quick time outs each time. ND didn't have to. Smart. ND would retain time but if State did get the ball back their TO would be used up.
3. ND went for a first down on 4th down on their own 39. Ara could have just punted the ball away if he was clearly playing for a tie.
4. On first down O'Brien went back to pass and was sacked.
5. With only 6 seconds left the last play was a run. Their was no way ND was going to get into field goal range.
Early in the 4th quarter. State ran the ball in what seemed like obvious passing downs. Neither team was having any success in the second half getting the ball down field. In fact ND picked off 3 passes/2 in the fourth quarter. One was returned to the 18 yard line. Eventually ND missed a 46 yard field goal, which likely would have been the game winner.
It was a tenacious game; fought hard to the end. ND was playing at the end to try to get into field goal range. The sack on first down in the last series sealed the deal.
Sorry for maybe a meaningless post. Ara was a great coach. People forget in the Anthony Davis game ND was missing 7 of their best players (suspension), but ND was still competitive.