1966 Michigan State Spartans football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1966 Michigan State Spartans football Big Ten Conference Big Ten 2 2 9–0–1 7–0 Duffy Daugherty 13th George Webster Clinton Jones George Webster Spartan Stadium NFF co-national championBig Ten champion The 1966 Michigan State Spartans football team was an American football team that represented Michigan State University in the 1966 Big Ten Conference football season. In their 13th season under head coach Duffy Daugherty, the Spartans compiled a 9–0–1 record (7–0 in conference games), outscored opponents by a total of 293 to 99, won the Big Ten championship, and were ranked No. 2 in the final AP and UPI polls. They played to a 10–10 tie against No. 1 Notre Dame. While the AP and UPI polls recognized Notre Dame as national champion, the College Football Researchers Association selected Michigan State as national champion, and the Helms Athletic Foundation, National Football Foundation (NFF), and Poling System selected the Irish and Spartans as co-national champions.http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2018/FBS.pdf 2018 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Records National Collegiate Athletic Association August 2018 December 11, 2018113https://www.ncaa.org/champadmin/ia_football_past_champs.html Past Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (Division I FBS) National Champions (formerly called Division I-A) ncaa.org 2009-01-01 https://web.archive.org/web/20080509084329/http://www.ncaa.org/champadmin/ia_football_past_champs.html May 9, 2008 dead The Spartans gained an average of 230.5 rushing yards and 124.4 passing yards per game, while holding opponents to an average of 51.4 rushing yards and 157.9 passing yards. The team's individual statistical leaders included halfback Clinton Jones (784 rushing yards), end Gene Washington (27 receptions for 677 yards), and quarterback Jimmy Raye (1,100 passing yards).1966 Michigan State Spartans Stats Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football March 6, 2025 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/michigan-state/1966.html Three Spartans were consensus first-team All-Americans: Jones; defensive end Bubba Smith; and defensive back George Webster. End Gene Washington and fullback Bob Apisa also received first-team All-America honors. Smith, Webster, and Washington were later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Four Spartans were among the first eight players picked in the 1967 NFL/AFL draft: Smith (first); Jones (second); Webster (fifth); and Washington (eighth). Big Ten rules barred the same team from representing the conference in the Rose Bowl in consecutive seasons and barred teams from appearing in any bowl game other than the Rose Bowl. Accordingly, Michigan State was ineligible to play in the Rose Bowl or any other bowl game. The former rule was rescinded in 1972 and the latter in 1975. Schedule 1966 AP September 17 w y 2 NC State Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI 28–10 55,418 Spartans Answer Duffy's Questions: Raye, Apisa, Both Lines Play Well in 28-10 Triumph Lansing State Journal Bob Hoerner September 18, 1966 H1 https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-spartans-answer-du/167399645/ Newspapers.comhttps://www.newspapers.com/article/battle-creek-enquirer-jones-apisa-raye/139234521/ Battle Creek Enquirer Jones, Apisa, Raye spark MSU, 28–10 September 18, 1966 January 21, 2024 Newspapers.com September 24 w y 1 Penn State Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI rivalry 42–8 65,763 Spartans Give Penn State Grid Lesson Lansing State Journal Bob Hoerner September 25, 1966 F1, F3 https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-spartans-give-penn/167399845/ Newspapers.com October 1 w y 1 Illinois Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL 26–10 57,747 Battling Illini Beaten: Michigan State Thwarts Upset Bid, 26-10 Chicago Tribune Roy Damer October 2, 1966 1, 3 (sports) https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-battling-illini-beaten/167401728/ Newspapers.com October 8 w 1 Michigan Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI rivalry 20–7 78,833 Spartans Find Enough Finesse to Win: Michigan Gives State Battle Before Yielding, 20 to 7 Lansing State Journal Bob Hoerner October 9, 1966 G1, G4 https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-spartans-find-enou/167400064/ Newspapers.com October 15 w y 1 Ohio State Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH 11–8 84,282 Spartans Survive Buckeye Upset Scare Lansing State Journal Bob Hoerner October 16, 1966 G1, G2 https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-spartans-survive-b/167401883/ Newspapers.com October 22 w y 2 Purdue 9 Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI 41–20 78,004 Spartans' Balance Overcomes Griese: State Runs, Passes Over Purdue, 41-20 Lansing State Journal Bob Hoerner October 23, 1966 G1, G2 https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-spartans-balance/167400319/ Newspapers.com October 29 w y 2 Northwestern Dyche Stadium Evanston, IL 22–0 44,304 State Finds New Weapon In Win Over Wildcats: Spartans Control Football Lansing State Journal Bob Hoerner October 30, 1966 E1, E3 https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-state-finds-new-we/167401556/ Newspapers.com November 5 w 2 Iowa Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI 56–7 68,711 Clinton Jones Zooms In State's 56-7 Romp: Halfback's 268 Yards Sets Big 10 Mark Lansing State Journal Bob Hoerner November 6, 1966 F1, F2 https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-clinton-jones-zoom/167400588/ Newspapers.com November 12 w y 2 Indiana Seventeenth Street Stadium Bloomington, IN rivalry 37–19 30,096 MSU Wins Big 10; Raps I.U., 37-19 The Indianapolis Star Dave Overpeck November 13, 1966 1, 4 (sports) https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-msu-wins-big-10-r/167401268/ Newspapers.com November 19 t y 2 Notre Dame 1 Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI 10–10 rivalry 80,011 Deadlock Fails to Settle National Title: No. ? Irish, No. ? State Tie, 10-10 Lansing State Journal Bob Hoerner November 20, 1966 G1, G2 https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-deadlock-fails-to/167400833/ Newspapers.com http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2009-2010/1966.html Football Statistics Summary for 1966 msuspartans.com August 21, 2013 Rankings 1966 NCAA University Division football rankings Game summaries NC State 1966 NC State Wolfpack football team Penn State 1966 Penn State Nittany Lions football team Michigan State–Penn State football rivalry At Illinois 1966 Illinois Fighting Illini football team Michigan Michigan at Michigan State Wolverines 0 0 0 7 No. 1 Spartans 7 0 0 13 October 8 Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, Michigan 78,833 yes Q1 MSU Raye 5 yard run (Kenney kick) MSU 7–0 Q4 MSU Apisa 7 yard run (kick failed) MSU 13–0 Q4 MSU Washington 25 yard pass from Raye (Kenney kick) MSU 20–0 Q4 MICH Detwiler 15 yard pass from Vidmer (Sygar kick) MSU 20–7 yes 1966 Michigan Wolverines football team Paul Bunyan Trophy Spartans Explode on U-M: Finish Strong in 20–7 Romp Jack Saylor Detroit Free Press October 9, 1966 1C, 7C https://www.newspapers.com/clip/15553783/spartans_explde_on_um_finish_strong/ Newspapers.com At Ohio State Michigan State at Ohio State Spartans 0 0 3 8 Buckeyes 2 0 0 6 October 15 Ohio Stadium EST 84,282 Rain, wind SE 20-35, 69 F yes Q1 8:09 OSU Safety, center pass through end zone OSU 2–0 Q3 6:02 MSU Kenny 27-yard field goal MSU 3–2 Q4 14:53 OSU Long 47-yard pass to Anders (kick failed) OSU 8–3 Q4 7:09 MSU Apisa 1-yard run (Kenney pass to Wedemeyer) MSU 11–8 yes 1966 Ohio State Buckeyes football team Purdue Purdue at Michigan State No. 9 Boilermakers 0 0 7 13 No. 2 Spartans 7 14 14 6 October 22 Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, Michigan 70,014 ABC yes Q1 MSU Lee 3 yard run (Kenney kick) MSU 7–0 Q2 MSU Raye 16 yard run (Kenney kick) MSU 14–0 Q2 MSU Apisa 6 yard pass from Raye (Kenney kick) MSU 21–0 Q3 MSU Apisa 2 yard run (Kenney kick) MSU 28–0 Q3 PUR Griese 6 yard run (Griese kick) MSU 28–7 Q3 MSU Apisa 10 yard run (Kenney kick) MSU 35–7 Q4 PUR Hurst 2 yard run (kick failed) MSU 35–13 Q4 MSU Cavender 2 yard run (pass failed) MSU 41–13 Q4 PUR Griese 2 yard run (Griese kick) MSU 41–20 yes 1966 Purdue Boilermakers football team "Spartans Win Easily Over Purdue, 41-20." Palm Beach Post. 1966 Oct 23. At Northwestern 1966 Northwestern Wildcats football team Iowa 1966 Iowa Hawkeyes football team At Indiana 1966 Indiana Hoosiers football team Old Brass Spittoon Notre Dame Notre Dame at Michigan State No.1 Fighting Irish 0 7 0 3 No. 2 Spartans 0 10 0 0 November 19 Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, Michigan Chris Schenkel, Bud Wilkinson ABC yes 2 MSU Cavender 4-yard run (Kenney kick) MSU 7-0 2 MSU Kenney 47-yard field goal MSU 10-0 2 ND Gladieux 34-yard pass from O'Brien (Azzaro kick) MSU 10-7 4 ND Azzaro 28-yard field goal Tied 10-10 yes 1966 Notre Dame vs. Michigan State football game 1966 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team Michigan State–Notre Dame football rivalry Game of the Century (college football) The 1966 Michigan State vs. Notre Dame football game ("The Game of the Century") remains one of the greatest, and most controversial, games in college football history. The Biggest Game of Them All: Notre Dame, Michigan State and the Fall of 1966 Celzic Mike 1992 Simon & Schuster 978-0-671-75817-2 registration https://archive.org/details/biggestgameofthe0000celi The game was played in Michigan State's Spartan Stadium on November 19, 1966. Michigan State entered the contest 9–0 and ranked No. 2, while Notre Dame entered the contest 8–0 and ranked No. 1. Notre Dame elected not to try to score on its final series, thus the game ended in a 10–10 tie. Notre Dame retained its No. 1 ranking in the AP and UPI polls.Sports Illustrated An Upside-Down Game https://www.si.com/vault/1966/11/28/613405/an-upsidedown-game Jenkins Dan Dan Jenkins November 28, 1966 August 17, 2019 Roster 1966 Michigan State Spartans f 45 Jr Robert Apisa FB y Bob Apisa Rich Berlinski RB n Al Brenner WR y 25 So Regis Cavender RB Tony Conti OL n Bill Feraco QB n Maurice Haynes WR n Ken Heft WR n 26 Sr Clinton Jones RB y Clinton Jones (American football) 34 Jr Dwight Lee RB y Mitchell Pruiett OL n 57 Jr Joe Przybycki OT Ron Ranieri OL n 16 Jr James Raye QB y Jimmy Raye II Lawrence Smith OL n Dave Techlin OL n 84 Sr Gene Washington WR y Gene Washington (American football, born 1944) Frank Waters RB n Charlie Wedemeyer QB y Jerry West OL n Sterling Armstrong DB n 61 So Charles Bailey DL n George Chatlos DL n 55   Pat Gallinagh DL Drake Garrett DB y Ron Goovert LB y Phil Hoag DL n Jerry Jones DB n Nick Jordan DL n   Jr Jess Phillips S y Jess Phillips (American football)   Sr Jeff Richardson DE y Jeff Richardson (American football) 95 Sr Bubba Smith DL y 20 Sr James Summers DB 41 Sr Charlie Thornhill DB 90 Sr George Webster LB y George Webster (American football) 42 Sr Dick Kenney K *Duffy Daugherty Team members in the NFL In the 1967 NFL/AFL draft, four of the top eight picks in the draft were players from Michigan State. Michigan State Spartans Player Position Round Pick NFL franchise Bubba Smith Defensive end 1 1 Baltimore Colts Clinton Jones Running back 1 2 Minnesota Vikings George Webster Linebacker 1 5 Houston Oilers Gene Washington Wide receiver 1 8 Minnesota Vikings Jeff Richardson Defensive end 6 146 New York Jets James Summers Defensive back 9 217 Denver Broncos Charlie Thornhill Defensive back 9 232 Boston Patriots Dick Kenney Kicker 14 358 Philadelphia Eagleshttps://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1967.htm 1967 NFL Draft Listing - Pro-Football-Reference.com Pro-Football-Reference.com March 28, 2018 May 13, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100513023352/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1967.htm dead References Michigan State Category:Michigan State Spartans football seasons Category:College football national champions Category:Big Ten Conference football champion seasons Category:College football undefeated seasons Michigan State Spartans football