Football History of October 29

📅 Gridiron Gold: Unforgettable Football Moments from October 29

October 29 is a date steeped in gridiron drama, featuring one of the greatest upsets of the 20th century and a stunning NFL streak coming to an end. From Bo McMillin’s legendary run that shook the East Coast establishment in 1921 to the incredible all-around talent of John DeWitt in 1881, this day covers everything. Discover the No. 1 team felled by an underdog (twice!) and the noble decision a Hall of Fame receiver made to preserve his health over his personal record.

October 29 American Football History Timeline

• October 29, 1921: Centre College in Kentucky upset Harvard 6-0, handing the Crimson its first defeat since 1916, Per the footballfoundation.org, Centre’s Bo McMillin, a 1951 College Football Hall of Fame inductee, scored on a 32-yard run in what many still consider as one of the 20th century’s most significant sports upsets.
• October 29, 1988- A story from the NFF: Washington State scored 28 points in the second half to upset No. 1 UCLA and College Football Hall of Famers Troy Aikman and Terry Donahue, 34-30. Cougar running back Rick Swinton scored the go-ahead touchdown with 6:21 left. The Bruins had an opportunity late in the fourth quarter to win the game, but Aikman misfired on four consecutive passes from the Washington State six-yard line as Washington State’s defense stood tall to preserve the victory.
• On October 29, 1989, Ozzie Newsome’s NFL streak of 150 consecutive games with a reception ended. In a UPI article by Thomas M. Burnettrich dated October 29, 1989, Newsome was injured on the first Cleveland offensive play of the second half and had not caught a pass in the first half against the Oilers. Newsome chose not to return to the game to try to preserve the streak with a short reception. The Browns prevailed without their star receiver contributing on the stat line as they cruised to a 28-17 victory over the Houston Oilers. The streak started on October 21, 1979. 

October 29 Football Hall of Fame Birthdays

• John DeWitt [1881] – A legendary guard and drop-kicking specialist for Princeton, DeWitt served as team captain and propelled the Tigers to an undefeated 1903 national championship season. A two-time consensus All-American enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame, he etched his place in gridiron lore by scoring all 11 points—via a 73-yard fumble return touchdown and a dramatic late 43-yard field goal—to vanquish arch-rival Yale in 1903.
• Barney Poole [1923] – One of college football’s greatest ends, Poole achieved the rare distinction of earning All-American honors at two major institutions, starring for Army’s powerhouse national championship teams during World War II before returning to lead Ole Miss to its first SEC crown in 1947. Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, he later played both ways as an end in the AAFC and NFL for the New York Yankees, Dallas Texans, Baltimore Colts, and New York Giants.

The October 29 Gridiron Image of the Day

Conclusion

There you have it: the gridiron lore from October 29! Check back daily for the football events and accomplishments that helped make our favorite sport so rich!