Football History

A bio of the legendary College Football Hall of Fame Place kicker Jim Martin. Born April 8, 1924, in Cleveland, Ohio, was Notre Dame’s position flexible end and tackle Jim Martin. Jim started college at a bit later age than most after serving military duty in the War, so as a twenty-two year old stepping on campus as a frosh but he hit the ground running on the gridiron starting all four seasons and even becoming a team co-captain with Leon Hart in his senior season.

During that time period with Martin on the team the Fighting Irish never saw a defeat as they amassed a record of 36-0-2 according to the National Football Foundation. He was an end  in his first three years, Notre Dame faced a shortage at tackle going into 1949, and Martin volunteered to change positions. He played tackle in 1949 and was on the AP, INS, and NEA All-America teams.

The well rounded athlete also participated in boxing and swimming at the school earning the 1950 George Gipp Award as Notre Dame's outstanding athlete. Jim Martin was honored with induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1995 after the National Football Foundation tallied their votes. Jim served on the US Marines during WWII as part of an amphibious assault team. Jim played 14 years in the National Football League with Cleveland in 1950, Detroit in 1951-61, Baltimore in 1963, and Washington in 1964. Spending the 1962 season as assistant coach at Denver. He starred as linebacker and place kicker.

For his pro career he had 56 field goals, including 15 in the 1961 season with Detroit. He later served as a football coach in the NFL, WFL and the college ranks.

Born May 5, 1941, in Pine River, Minnesota, was Oregon State’s quarterback from 1960 to 1962, Terry Baker. The National Football Foundation says Terry is the only athlete to win the Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Award, Scholar-Athlete Award from the National Football Foundation and Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year Award in the same year.

Yes 1962 was a special one for Baker as he won the Liberty Bowl's Most Valuable Player Award as his 99 yard run was the only score in a 6-0 win over Villanova. Terry Baker’s collegiate football records are celebrated in the College Football Hall of Fame after his induction in 1982. When school was done the Los Angeles Rams made the brilliant young QB the first player selected in the collegiate draft. He played three seasons for the Rams and one season in the CFL.

Being inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame is a mark of unparalleled prestige and accomplishment. It signifies that a player has not only excelled on the field but has also left a lasting legacy that transcends generations. This honor is reserved for those who have demonstrated exceptional skill, leadership, and impact in collegiate football, shaping the sport’s history and inspiring future players. Remembering these inductees is not just a tribute to their remarkable careers but also a celebration of their enduring influence on the game. Their stories and achievements serve as a beacon of excellence and a testament to the profound role they’ve played in elevating college football to new heights.

The University of Michigan did leave the Big Ten Conference once, back in 1906.
The reason for leaving was due to a conflict between the conference's faculty members and the university's students and administration over the role of football.
The faculty members wanted to sideline football and its coaches and players, while the students and administration wanted to protect their football team and coach Fielding Yost.
Michigan's decision to leave the Big Ten may have helped to preserve college football as the great spectacle it is today.

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Chicago, a city with a heart that beats for both gridiron giants, the Chicago Bears and the University of Illinois Fighting Illini. Beyond shared geography, their stories intertwine, creating a tapestry of triumphs, rivalries, and shared legacies.

From the early days of professional football, Illini stars like Red Grange and Harold "Red" Grange illuminated the nascent Bear's lineup, their talent lighting the way for future Illini-turned-Bears like George Halas and Dick Butkus. These players weren't just imports; they were builders, laying the foundation for both programs' futures. Grange, the "Galloping Ghost," electrified Chicago with his dazzling runs, setting attendance records and etching his name in Bears lore. Halas, a multi-talented Illini standout, later became the Bears' iconic owner and coach, shaping the team into a championship force.

The connection deepened through friendly rivalries. In the 1940s, the "College All-Star Game" pitted the NFL's best against college football's elite, and often featured Illini heroes facing off against their future professional homes, the Bears. These clashes showcased the burgeoning talent of players like Sid Luckman and Emlen Tunnell, further blurring the lines between the two programs.

Beyond individual stars, the shared spirit of grit and resilience connects the Bears and Illini. Both face the burden of high expectations, a hunger for glory forged in the unforgiving Midwest. The Illini faithful cheer through tough seasons, knowing that a Red Grange or a Dick Butkus might emerge from the shadows. Bears fans, through decades of near misses and championship droughts, never lose their unwavering belief in the "Monsters of the Midway."

This shared spirit isn't confined to the past. Today, players like Kyle Orton and Josh McCown carry the Illini torch on the professional stage, while countless Illini recruits dream of wearing the iconic blue and orange. The Bears' Soldier Field even welcomes the Illini for the annual "Fight for the Illini" game, a showcase of Illini talent on the NFL's grand stage.

So, the next time you watch a Bears game or cheer for the Illini, remember this intertwined legacy.

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The Alabama Crimson Tide are a dominant force in college football, extending to their record against every other school in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Here's a breakdown of Alabama's record against each current SEC member:

-West Division:

Arkansas: 32-25-7 (Alabama leads)

Auburn: 49-38-1 (Alabama leads)

LSU: 54-25-5 (Alabama leads)

Mississippi State: 87-73-13 (Alabama leads)

Ole Miss: 52-43-8 (Alabama leads)

Texas A&M: 12-10-2 (Alabama leads)

-East Division:

Florida: 34-23-11 (Alabama leads)

Georgia: 48-32-15 (Alabama leads)

Kentucky: 30-28-1 (Alabama leads)

Missouri: 4-4-0 (Tied)

South Carolina: 9-6-3 (Alabama leads)

Tennessee: 90-51-32 (Alabama leads)

Vanderbilt: 72-58-10 (Alabama leads)

-Total: 478-172-21 (72.8% winning percentage)

As you can see, Alabama has a winning record against every current member of the SEC, with their most dominant record coming against Mississippi State (87-73-13) and their closest record coming against Missouri (4-4-0).

-Key Takeaways:

Alabama has dominated the SEC for decades, boasting a winning record against every current member.

The Crimson Tide's most dominant rivalry is against Mississippi State, while their closest rivalry is against Missouri.

Alabama's overall record against SEC opponents is an impressive 478-172-21, a testament to their consistent excellence.

As the storied traditions and rich history of Alabama Crimson Tide football remind us, this program is not just about wins and championships; it embodies a legacy of excellence and resilience. From legendary coaches to iconic players, each season adds a new chapter to a saga of passion and dedication. Whether celebrating in Bryant-Denny Stadium or cheering from afar, the Crimson Tide faithful uphold these traditions with pride. As we look ahead to future seasons, let us continue to honor and preserve the spirit that defines Alabama football—a spirit forged by tradition and destined for greatness.

The Texas Longhorns and Alabama Crimson Tide have forged one of college football's most storied and captivating rivalries. Their annual showdown dubbed the "Texas-Alabama Game of the Century" or simply "The Game," transcends mere competition, becoming a cultural event that pits two proud programs against each other for bragging rights and national supremacy.

-Origins and History:

The rivalry dates back to 1902, with the first meeting resulting in a narrow 10-0 Alabama victory.
The two teams played consistently until 1922, but the rivalry truly ignited in 1929 with the signing of the "Dixie Classic" agreement, guaranteeing an annual matchup in Birmingham, Alabama.
This agreement solidified the rivalry as a major event in the South, attracting national attention and drawing passionate fan bases from both sides.

-Memorable Moments:

The rivalry boasts countless thrilling moments, including The 1967 "Game of the Century," where the top-ranked Crimson Tide edged out the No. 2 Longhorns 10-7 in a defensive battle.

The 2010 thriller, where the Longhorns upset the top-ranked Crimson Tide 20-19 on a last-second field goal by kicker Hunter Lawrence.
The 2018 showdown, where Alabama secured a dominant 51-14 victory, showcasing their offensive prowess.

2024 will see the Longhorns moving into the SEC where the rivalry with the Tide should reach new levels as Conference rivals.

As the storied traditions and rich history of Alabama Crimson Tide football remind us, this program is not just about wins and championships; it embodies a legacy of excellence and resilience. From legendary coaches to iconic players, each season adds a new chapter to a saga of passion and dedication. Whether celebrating in Bryant-Denny Stadium or cheering from afar, the Crimson Tide faithfully upholds these traditions with pride. As we look ahead to future seasons, let us continue to honor and preserve the spirit that defines Alabama football—a spirit forged by tradition and destined for greatness.

The roar of Sanford Stadium today thunders with the echoes of national championships and Heisman winners. But before the crystal trophies and ESPN rankings, there was a simpler time, a time when the Georgia Bulldogs were just cutting their teeth on the gridiron. From 1892 to 1917, these early Dawgs laid the foundation for the powerhouse program we know today, a story paved with mud, grit, and the birth of a Southern tradition.

Born in 1892 with a 50-0 drubbing of Mercer, the Bulldogs' infancy was characterized by a spirit of exploration. Coaches like Doc Herty and Jumbo Slattón experimented with formations and strategies, laying the groundwork for Georgia's future offensive identity. Games were brutal affairs, played on makeshift fields with rudimentary equipment and often under dubious officiating. Still, the players embraced the rough-and-tumble nature of the game, forging a tough and resilient attitude that would become a Bulldog trademark.

Rivalries, the lifeblood of college football, began to take shape during this era. The first meeting with Auburn in 1892 ignited a fire that has burned brightly for over a century. Games against Clemson and Tech, though nascent at the time, hinted at the epic clashes that would define future generations of Dawgs. These early contests, far from the televised spectacles of today, were community events, uniting students, alumni, and townsfolk in a shared love for the red and black.

Join us for more fun in examining the origins of team and school mascots here on Pigskin Dispatch, your portal to positive football history. We tray and cover every angle of football history and the aspects of this college team are right smack dab in the middle of a great story of the gridiron.

A college football team's first game is a birth certificate and a blank canvas. It's the launch of a program's legacy, a chance to unveil its potential on the field. It serves as a rallying point for future generations of fans and a milestone for the university's athletic identity.

A tale woven into the very fabric of Spartan football: the Michigan State Spartans playing in the Rose Bowl. It's a story of triumphs and heartbreaks, of green and white confetti dancing in the California breeze, and of a tradition forged in Spartan spirit and tested on the gridiron of history.

The Spartans' inaugural Rose Bowl journey began in 1954, a baptism by fire against a UCLA squad boasting the legendary Johnny Unitas. Though victory eluded them that day, the stage was set for a legacy destined to unfold. Just three years later, the magic struck. Led by the unflappable John Hannah, the Spartans conquered the Rose Bowl, earning their first victory and etching their name onto the game's illustrious trophy.

But the Rose Bowl wasn't always kind to the Spartans. The 1970s saw three consecutive heartbreaking losses, each leaving behind a bittersweet tinge of "what if." Yet, in true Spartan fashion, they never faltered. In 1988, led by the dynamic duo of Bobby Williams and Mark Ingram, the Spartans finally exorcised the ghosts of "almost" and reveled in a Rose Bowl victory under the confetti shower.

Mark Dantonio's arrival in 2005 ushered in a new era of Spartan resilience. He led the Spartans to three Rose Bowl appearances in seven years, including a thrilling 24-20 victory over Ohio State in 2014, a game forever etched in Spartan lore. Victories came against powerhouses like Stanford and USC, cementing the Spartans' place among the Rose Bowl's elite.

Today, the Michigan State Spartans and the Rose Bowl remain forever intertwined. It's a testament to their unwavering spirit, their relentless pursuit of excellence, and their ability to rise to the occasion on the grandest stage. It's a tradition that transcends generations, a whisper of Spartan pride carried on the California breeze, reminding us that the Rose Bowl will always hold a special place in the hearts of every Spartan.

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Minnesota's 1960 season wasn't born under a starlit sky; it began shrouded in skepticism. Three consecutive losing seasons had dampened expectations, making them unranked and overlooked. But under Coach Murray Warmath, an unlikely transformation was brewing.

The season started strong, silencing doubters with a gritty win over Nebraska. Shutouts against Indiana and Northwestern followed, showcasing a revitalized defense. Then came the moment that shifted the narrative: a 10-0 blanking of Michigan at The Big House, earning national respect and the Little Brown Jug.

Victories kept stacking up, with wins over Kansas State and Iowa solidifying their title bid. The lone hiccup, a late-season loss to Purdue, proved a mere detour. Undeterred, they clinched the Big Ten Championship, a feat many deemed inconceivable months earlier.

The season culminated in a showdown with Washington in the Rose Bowl. Despite battling fatigue and injuries, the Gophers fought valiantly, ultimately falling 17-7. Though the scoreboard showed defeat, their journey defied expectations.

Beyond the wins and losses, the 1960 Gophers were defined by resilience, grit, and a team spirit that refused to fold. They brought home their sixth national championship and, more importantly, rekindled the fire of Gopher football.

Their legacy lies not just in trophies, but in the inspiration they provided – a testament to the power of unity, belief, and the sheer joy of defying the odds.

The roar of Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Mississippi, resonates with over a century of gridiron tradition. But the journey of the Mississippi State Bulldogs began not in fanfare, but under the humble moniker of the "Miss Aggies" in 1895.

Mississippi A&M College, as it was known then, dabbled in the nascent sport with limited success until 1903. Enter Daniel S. Martin, a coach poached from rival Ole Miss, who ignited a spark. His Aggies tasted victory, laying the foundation for a program rooted in grit and determination.

Over the next three decades, the Aggies faced a revolving door of coaches and uneven results. Still, moments of brilliance emerged, like the 1914 season under E.R. Jones, where MSU claimed their first conference championship.

The school transitioned to Mississippi State College in 1932, and with it came a change in mascot. The Aggies officially became the Bulldogs, though the "Maroons" nickname had already been unofficially adopted after a 1905 victory over Ole Miss, where a bulldog pup was buried to symbolize the Aggies' spirit.