November 19

In this edition of the Football's History Headlines, we discuss the 71 points in a game by one remarkable player, the Miracle at the Meadowlands, and many more Football Hall of Fame Legendary stories.

Gridiron fans, gear up for another exciting day of football history! Dive into the archives and relive the moments that shaped the game we love. Today's headlines take us back in time, exploring everything from legendary quarterback duels that captivated a nation to groundbreaking rule changes that redefined the sport. So, whether you're a die-hard traditionalist or a stats guru, we have something for everyone. Let's lace up our virtual cleats and take a trip down memory lane!

The Flying Wedge

Picture courtesy of Parke H. Davis' book Football: the Intercollegiate Game

November 19, 1892 -Yale versus Harvard game at the Boston area school. The V-formation of Princeton was modified by Harvard's Head Coach, Lorin F. Deland. Deland had devised what would forever be known as the "Flying Wedge," where he had his players form two smaller V's of five players each and the runner who would signal the formations together into a single unit and then get lost in the humanity. However, Yale was ready for the challenge as Walter Camp received some intel on the formation and devised a way to stop it. Stop Yale did as they won the tightly fought contest with Harvard 6-0. The 1892 Yale Bulldogs football team compiled a perfect 13–0 record, outscored opponents by a total of 429 to 0, and has been recognized as the national champion by the Billingsley Report, Helms Athletic Foundation, Houlgate System, National Championship Foundation, and Parke H. Davis according to Wikipedia.

Second paid player

November 19, 1892 - Ben Sporty Donnelly became oonly the second confirmed player to be paid to play on the gridiron, according to historian Ken Crippen on his Football Learning Academy website. The famous Allegheny Athletic Association gave Sporty $250 to play against the Washington and Jefferson eleven.

Irish 100

November 19, 1910 - Cartier Field, South Bend, Indiana- The Notre Dame Fighting Irish hit a milestone as they reached win number 100 against Ohio Northern in a 47-0 blowout. http://www.irishlegends.com/Pages/calendar/11.asp

Kershalla scores 71?

November 19, 1932 - Charleston, West Virginia - According to a newspaper clipping found on the Ohio State University archives from a paper called the “Lantern” a West Liberty State Teachers College football player named Joe Kershalla scored 71 points in a college football game against Cedarville College. Kershalla evidently scored 11 touchdowns in the contest and then had 5 extra point kicks that went through the uprights as well to get to the miraculous 71 points! 

Hawkeyes thinking upset

November 19, 1955 - South Bend, Indiana - The Iowa Hawkeyes gave Notre Dame fits all day but with 2:15 left to play Paul Hornig booted a 28  yard field goal  for the Irish that broke the tie and provided the lead that the Golden Domers would hang onto in the 17-14 Fighting Irish Win.

# 1 versus #2

November 19, 1966 - Spartan Stadium, Michigan State University - This game is one a handful dubbed as a Game of the Century.  It was the #2 in the nation Michigan State Spartans hoisting the top team in the rankings Notre Dame and it ended in a 10-10 tie. See our write up in the Greatest Games, 1966 Notre Dame versus Michigan State.

"The Miracle at the Meadowlands"

November 19, 1978 - Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. -  The Giants had the ball and were up with just over a half of a minute left to play but fumbled and Herm Edwards returned the fumble for a touchdown with 31 seconds left to give Philadelphia a 19-17 victory over the rival New York Giants. I think the most common phrase at the watercooler in NYC the next day were, “He should of took a knee” 

The 83rd Grey Cup - America Wins?

November 19, 1995 - Taylor Field, Regina, Saskatchewan - The year an American Team took home the Grey Cup. What? Is that right? An American team won the Canadian Football League’s Grey Cup? In fact it is very true. The 83rd edition of the Grey Cup for the CFL Champion to be crowned was played between the Baltimore Stallions and the Calgary Stampeders. The Stallions won the game by a score of 37–20. It marked the only time that an American-based team won the Grey Cup. It was only the second season for the Baltimore club, and yet despite that, the Stallions would not be going for a repeat as the franchise ended up being dissolved and then added to make a reincarnated Montreal franchise, that had closed shop in 1986 and go under the old Alouettes moniker, due to Baltimore getting the NFL’s old Cleveland franchise which we now know as the Ravens.  According to the website scorum.com Baltimore got on the board first with a Chris Wright 82-yard punt return for a touchdown. The Stampeders put the score within one point at the end of the first quarter with a couple of field goals by  Mark McLoughlin. Calgary quarterback Doug Flutie put the Stampeders up when he threw a TD pass to Marvin Pope in the 2nd stanza. The Stallions then bolted to a 23-13 halftime score on a scoop and score and three field goals. The Stallions never looked back as Tracy Ham used his feet and arms to keep putting points on the board for Baltimore. The Stallions quarterback Tracy Ham won the game MVP award.

70th Iron Bowl

November 19, 2005 - Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, Alabama -  The 70th edition of the Iron Bowl was played as the Auburn Tigers hosted the Alabama Crimson Tide. Both teams entered the fray with one loss, attributed to both teams losing to LSU earlier in the season. Warblogle.com captured the action and told us that at the end of the first quarter it was 21-0 and the Tigers seemed to be on track for a blow out as they scored on their first three possessions. Auburn’s Ben Obomanu accounted for two of the scores as he caught one and took another in on the ground, and Kenny Irons rushed for one more. The Tide finally got on the board on a 2nd quarter fumble recovery but the Tigers responded with a Brandon Cox touchdown pass to Cole Bennett later in the 2nd quarter to make a halftime score of 28-7. The second half was fairly quiet as Alabama added a field goal and a TD with a two point conversion as the Auburn Tigers held on for the 28-18 victory!

Grey Cup 94

November 19, 2006 - Canad Inns Stadium, Winnipeg - The coveted Grey Cup’s 94th chapter was played as the Montreal Alouettes took on the BC Lions. CBC Sports website fills us in with the action.  Paul McCallum erased two long years of bad football memories as the B.C. Lions kicker nailed all six of his field-goal attempts in the biggest CFL game of the year! The feat has only been done 3 other times in the history of the Grey Cup. The Lions Quarterback Dave Dickenson, was able to move the ball against Montreal’s defense but the Alouettes would allow them to cross the goal line just once in the contest. But it was the B.C. “D” that really held the score down  as they helped the Lions win their 5th Championship as they defeated the Montreal Alouettes, 25-14. In all of the post game excitement the Lions player even broke the cup portion of the Grey Cup Trophy off of its base! DIckenson won the game’s MVP nod while McCallum was the Most valuable Canadian in the game.

Holy War 21

November 19, 2011 - Notre dame Stadium, South Bend, Indiana - It was the 21st meeting of the two largest U.S. Catholic Universities, often referred to as the College Football Holy War. ESPN.com has a great recap on the game where they inform us that Irish Kicker David Ruffer banged hom three field goals to go with a Jonas Gray rushing TD to power Notre Dame to a 16-14 victory over Boston College.

One of the Greatest NFL Games Ever?

November 19, 2018 - Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum - Great Game alert! The Rams outlasted the Kansas City Chiefs, 54-51. See full write up in Greatest Games, 2018 Chiefs versus Rams.

Ahmad Rashad

November 19, 1949 - Portland, Oregon - Oregon’s amazing wide receiver/running back Ahmad Rashad was born. Yes you saw it correctly the title running back was added. According to the footballfoundation.org during Ahmad’s very first game he turned in a three-touchdown performance. The coaches wanted to get Rashad as many touches as possible so in order to accomplish this they  moved the young man to the backfield the following year and he led the team in rushing! Just because he lined up in the backfield and toted the ball through holes in the line did not restrict him from catching passes downfield. The Offensive Coordinator was more than happy to call plays for Ahmad to use his receiving skill set too. After all the quarterback of the Ducks at that time was none other than a man named Dan Fouts! During his senior season his rushing totals ranked eighth nationally and Rashad became a first-team All-American. The National Football Foundation selected Ahmad Rashad to enter into their College Football Hall of Fame in 2007.