By Darin Hayes Record Sacks, Historic Upsets & The Birth of Coaching Legends: Unpacking October 26 Football History! 🏈
Get ready to celebrate a date that defines dramatic swings in football history! October 26 is marked by an incredible 12-sack defensive performance that tied an NFL record (1980) and one of the greatest fourth-quarter comebacks in college football history—the “Miracle at Mizzou” (2013). But the history runs deeper: we honor the birthdays of five College Football Hall of Famers, including pioneer coach Sid Gillman and two-time Lombardi winner Tony Casillas. From the scandalous early days of the Canton-Massillon rivalry (1906) to monumental upsets over national powerhouses, this is your guide to a truly unforgettable day on the gridiron!
October 26 Football History Headlines
October 26, 1906, from profootballhof.com. The two best teams in professional football were arch rivals, the Canton Bulldogs and the Massillon Tigers. That season, they played twice, splitting the head-to-head meetings. The second meeting, however, was for the Ohio League Championship, in which the Tigers secured victory. The fierce rivalry led the two teams to overpay for talent to gain an edge over the other, and almost drove each club to the brink of bankruptcy. That, coupled with a betting scandal, led to declining interest in pro football across Ohio.
October 26, 1946 – Knoxville, Tennessee – The Wake Forest Demon Deacons knocked off the highest-ranked opponent in the football program’s history when they defeated the No. 4 in the nation, the Tennessee Volunteers, 19-6. The website godeacs.com has an excellent recount of the game. The Wake Forest line was a block of granite against the Tennessee running attack. Bob Leonetti and Ed Royston, guards; Boyd Allen, center; and Sidney Martin, tackle, refused to let the Vol backs loose for any damaging gains. The Deacon forwards were also terrific in rushing Vol passers.
The Deacons scored first in the opening period, and then came back in the third period to register two quick touchdowns to ice the ball game after the Vols had scored their lone marker in the second period to tie the score at 6-6. (Source )
October 26, 1980 -Memorial Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland – The visiting St. Louis Cardinals defense got after the Baltimore Colts QB Bert Jones and sacked him an NFL record tying 12 times! According to an f64sports blog post, Card’s defensive end Curtis Greer dropped Jones an unofficial 4-½ times in the contest. It was not the first time a player had recorded 12 sacks in an NFL game, but it was the first time an NFL defense had sacked the same player 12 times in one game! ( Source)
October 26, 2013 – In an unbelievable comeback, the University of South Carolina upset the 5th-ranked University of Missouri 27-24. The Gamecocks found themselves trailing the heavily favored Mizzou squad 17-0 in the fourth quarter. USC quarterback Connor Shaw was banged up and had flu-like symptoms, according to an article on the postandcourier.com website, but he spearheaded a fierce comeback surge for South Carolina. Earlier in the week, Shaw admitted to a partial tear in his LCL, and a few days before kick-off, he had the flu, so head coach Steve Spurrier did not let him start, and the team took the field with Dylan Thompson under center. After watching Dylan struggle through the first 3 quarters, Spurrier turned to Shaw and asked if he could go, and the youngster responded by leading the Gamecocks to a tie and overtime against the Tigers. The Carolina victory came in the second OT session when Mizzou tried to tie the score once more, but their kick banged off the upright to fall away from its mark, allowing the underdog USC team to claim victory. (Source)
October 26, Football Hall of Fame Birthdays
- Sam Francis
- Jim Weatherall
- Tony Casillas
Conclusion
From the incredible 100-yard interception return that stunned BYU’s conference-winning streak in 1985 to the recognition of future Hall of Fame excellence, October 26 proves that some of football’s most compelling narratives are written mid-season. This day, marked by record-breaking upsets and the honoring of gridiron legends like Eric Allen, underscores the sport’s unpredictability and its deep historical roots. As we close the book on October 26, we’re reminded that every day in football is an opportunity to make history, preserving the game’s legacy one spectacular moment at a time.