College Football: Bombs & Squeaks

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

“These are the worst hours of my life,” groaned Notre Dame Coach Ara Parseghian the night before his undefeated Irish took the field against North Carolina’s Tar Heels. Notre Dame was favored by 25 points, but Parseghian was worried about the 18-year-old lad who had given him that edge: Sophomore Quarterback Terry Hanratty.

During practice that day, Hanratty had pulled a tendon in the fabulous passing arm that had spiraled the Irish to three straight victories and No. 2 ranking in the nation. With Hanratty unable to connect with Sophomore End Jim Seymour in their dazzling game of catch, the Tar Heels might just have a chance.

Parseghian needn’t have worried. In the first quarter, the savage Irish defense took out North Carolina Quarterback Danny Talbott, who limped off the field with a sprained ankle, then No. 2 Quarterback Jeff Beaver, who suffered a dislocated shoulder. Sticking to the ground in the face of a gusty 40-m.p.h. wind, Notre Dame’s Hanratty sent Fullback Larry Conjar crunching through the line for a pair of touchdowns in the first and second quarters. Then, his injured arm soothed with cortisone shots, Hanratty delivered the bomb that the Irish fans had come to see. Down the field full speed went Jim Seymour. Zing! Terry Hanratty shot a perfect pass against the wind for a 56-yd. touchdown. Jogging back to the bench, Hanratty grinned: “Sore arm, eh?” Before the bludgeoning was over, the score was 32-0, and Notre Dame students were parading through the stands with the banner: WE’RE NO. 1.

The team that was supposed to be No. 1, Michigan State, inspired second thoughts by barely squeaking past Ohio State 11-8, to remain undefeated. Bear Bryant’s third-ranked Alabama, fighting for a third straight national football title, also had to scramble in the fourth quarter to edge out Tennessee 11-10.

And then there was Harvard, not fighting for anything except possibly the Ivy League championship, but with one astonishing distinction so far this season. Going into last Saturday, Coach John Yovicsin’s undefeated Cantabs had averaged more points per game (36.3), more yards rushing (346), and more on total offense (442.3) than any major team in the nation. The opposition (Lafayette, Tufts, Columbia) was admittedly weak, and last week’s opponent, undefeated Cornell, was supposed to provide a sterner test. Harvard slaughtered Cornell 21-0, to keep the glory dream going—at least for another week.