Fansided

30 most shocking moments in college football history

By Nathaniel Reeves

Boise State's Ian Johnson scoring the winning 2-point conversion during the Fiesta Bowl between Boise State and Oklahoma at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on January 1, 2007. (Photo by Steve Grayson/WireImage)
Boise State's Ian Johnson scoring the winning 2-point conversion during the Fiesta Bowl between Boise State and Oklahoma at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on January 1, 2007. (Photo by Steve Grayson/WireImage) /
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(Original Caption) Notre Dame coach Ara Paraseghian (left) walks off the playing field with Michigan State coach Duffy Daugherty after their teams battled to a 10-to-10 tie at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
(Original Caption) Notre Dame coach Ara Paraseghian (left) walks off the playing field with Michigan State coach Duffy Daugherty after their teams battled to a 10-to-10 tie at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. /

24. Michigan State and Notre Dame tie in 1966

Ara Parseghian’s decision to intentionally play for a tie against Michigan State in 1966 still shocks fans to this day as one of college football’s most infamous endings.

Notre Dame was just at the begging of a dominant run under Parseghian, who had a shot at his first national championship in 1966. The Fighting Irish tallied eight straight blowout victories leading into a late November showdown against Michigan State, with five of those wins coming via shutouts.

Michigan State was a consistent powerhouse throughout the 1950s and 1960s and was in the running to claim a second consecutive national championship before the late-season showdown with the Fighting Irish. As the Spartans entered the tilt ranked No. 2 with a perfect 9-0 record, the contest was dubbed “The Game of the Century” with the winner likely to take home the national title.

The Spartans managed to score the first 10 points against the vaunted Fighting Irish defense before Notre Dame battled back to tie the game early in the fourth quarter. With 1:10 to go, Notre Dame took over on its own 30-yard line, seemingly leaving plenty of time to drive for a field goal.

Instead, to the surprise of everyone, the Fighting Irish chose to run the clock out for the 10-10 tie. Notre Dame knew it was unlikely to be jumped by Michigan State with the tie, leaving players on both sides searching for resolution and Michigan State head coach Duffy Daugherty eloquently said the result was “like kissing your sister.”

The Fighting Irish indeed held on to the No. 1 spot in 14 different polls to win the national championship, while Michigan State settled for No. 2 with a matching 9-0-1 record.

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