By Darin Hayes 
The Amazing Gridiron History of October 24! 🏈
Ready for a dive into a date defined by NFL record books and unthinkable statistics? October 24 is one of the most statistically significant days in American football history! We’re celebrating the day to explore the massive records and milestones that make October 24 a goldmine for gridiron geeks!
Rockne’s Shadow: Notre Dame Edges Pitt in 1931 Showdown
The college football landscape in 1931 was marked by transition, following the tragic death of coaching legend Knute Rockne. Yet, the rivalry between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Pittsburgh Panthers (Pitt) remained one of the sport’s most compelling matchups. On October 24, 1931, the two powerhouse programs clashed at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana, in a crucial early-season contest.
The Contest
In front of a massive crowd estimated at nearly 42,000 fans, the Irish, now guided by coaches Hunk Anderson and Jess Harper, secured a hard-fought victory over Jock Sutherland’s formidable Pitt squad with a final score of 25-12.
The game’s outcome was heavily influenced by the exceptional play of Notre Dame’s star halfback, Marchmont “Marchy” Schwartz. Schwartz, a unanimous All-American, was the offensive catalyst, proving too elusive for the Panthers’ defense. Contemporary accounts highlight his two crucial passes to teammates Melinkovich and Jaskwhich, which were instrumental in securing the Irish lead and effectively sealing the victory before halftime.
Season Significance
The win was vital for Notre Dame, affirming the program’s strength even in the post-Rockne era. While the Irish ultimately finished the season with a respectable 6-2-1 record, the victory over their long-time rivals was a major highlight. Pitt, despite the loss, proved their quality throughout the year, finishing with an impressive 8-1 record with their only blemish being the defeat to Notre Dame. The 1931 meeting remains a prime example of the intense, low-scoring football that defined the era.
October 24 Football History Headlines
October 24, 1970 – Wake Forest edged preseason ACC favorite North Carolina 14-13 at Groves Stadium to improve to 4-3 on the season. Wake trailed 13-0 entering the fourth quarter before Larry Russell scored on a quarterback sneak to cut the deficit to 13-7. The Deacons won the game by marching 94 yards in the closing minutes as Larry Hopkins scored on a 3-yard run with just 12 seconds left to tie the game. Tracy Lounsbury added the extra point for the win.
October 24, 1981 – Chapel Hill, NC – In this “Battle of the Carolinas” edition, the number 3 in the nation, 6-0 North Carolina Tarheels hosted the unranked South Carolina Gamecocks, whose record stood at 4-3 on the season. The Gamecocks were a year removed from Heisman Trophy winner George Rogers and in flux, having lost their identity when their great runner had moved on. The Tarheels, on the other hand, were riding high with a stingy defense that, thus far into the season, was giving up a mere 14 points per game. The Gamecocks jumped out early, taking the opening kickoff and driving the ball into the end zone in three minutes for a 7-0 lead. They then collected multiple turnovers from their hosts and extended their lead even further, but the North Carolina squad fought back just before half with a backup quarterback to keep it a one-score game at 14-7. The second half was all Gamecocks as the University of South Carolina upset the 3rd-ranked University of North Carolina, 31-13.
October 24, 1991, Music industry Executive Larry Ryckman purchases CFL’s Calgary Stampeders. The Stampeders franchise was struggling financially, and Ryckman’s guidance was just what the Doctor ordered. The new owner made a string of positive decisions that turned the team’s finances around, including signing Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Doug Flutie, Jeff Garcia, and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. He also launched a successful marketing campaign that won over fans and put the team on a winning streak, as they participated in 5 Grey Cup games and even won the coveted cup in 1992.
October 24, 2009 – South Bend, Indiana – The 19th annual College Football Holy War saw Notre Dame defeating Boston College 20-16. Surprisingly, it was Notre Dame’s first win in the series in nine seasons!
October 24 Football Hall of Fame Birthdays
- Y.A. Tittle
- Johnny Lattner
- J. D. Roberts
- Jay Novacek