By Darin 
November 2, 1935. The atmosphere at Ohio Stadium in Columbus was electric. Two undefeated Midwestern powerhouses, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Ohio State Buckeyes, met for the very first time. This contest wasn’t just a game; it was immediately billed as the “Game of the Century,” drawing a massive, expectant crowd.
Andy Pilney ND 1935 03 Nov 1935, Sun The Washington Herald (Washington, District of Columbia) Newspapers.com
The Buckeye Dominance
For three quarters, the highly favored Buckeyes lived up to the hype. Their relentless rushing attack and staunch defense had the Irish reeling, building a seemingly insurmountable 13-0 lead heading into the final quarter. The home crowd was ready to celebrate a victory over the legendary program from South Bend, convinced their defense would hold.
The Irish Rally
But the Fighting Irish were not easily broken. Head Coach Elmer Layden’s team mounted an incredible, desperate fourth-quarter rally. As the clock ticked down, the Irish offense, fueled by sheer willpower, found the end zone not once, but twice, narrowing the gap and silencing the packed stadium.
With minutes left, Notre Dame had pulled within striking distance. The tension was suffocating. Then, in the final moments, the Irish marched down the field, positioning themselves for one last shot at glory.
The Legendary Toss
The hero of the day would be an unlikely one: backup quarterback Bill Shakespeare. With the clock winding down to its final seconds, Shakespeare took the snap. Under immense pressure, he uncorked a desperate pass to end Wayne Millner. Millner secured the catch in the end zone, crossing the plane for the decisive score.
The touchdown landed with just 32 seconds remaining in the game. In a stunning reversal, Notre Dame completed the comeback, defeating Ohio State 18-13. The victory was a testament to the Irish’s never-say-die attitude and remains one of the most legendary late-game comebacks in college football history. This single, dramatic finish cemented the Notre Dame-Ohio State rivalry and earned the game its immortal status.