NFL Records Shattered & College Rivalries Explode: Unpacking the Gridiron History of October 21st!
Are you ready for a deep dive into football’s past? October 21st is a date etched in gridiron history, marked by explosive performances and groundbreaking firsts! We’re celebrating the time a fearless defensive end set a bizarre NFL record that no one will ever break, the day the legendary Notre Dame Fighting Irish delivered a thrilling performance in a Game of the Decade, and all the other major college and pro milestones you need to know. Click to discover how this single day influenced records, rules, and the future of the American game!
October 21 Football History Headlines
October 21, 1882 – Major Rules revision occurred. The “Block Game” style of play was changed because teams like Princeton developed a strategy to snap the ball and gain no ground, allowing them to keep the ball for an entire half of a game to maintain an undefeated record, since there was not a set number of downs and distances. Walter Camp proposed that the offensive team be required to advance the ball at least five yards in three scrimmage downs, and these down-and-distance rules, combined with the establishment of the line of scrimmage, transformed the game from a variation of rugby football into the very different and unique game of American football.
October 21, 1973 – Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum – Fred Dryer of the then Los Angeles Rams became the first player in NFL history to score two safeties in the same game. In an article on barstoolsports.com, it is found that going into the 1973 Week 6 matchup with the Packers, the LA Rams were 5-0, while the Packers were 2-1-2. By the fourth quarter, the Rams were in a comfortable position, taking a 20-7 lead. As the game was winding down, Fred Dryer took down quarterback Scott Hunter in the end zone. On the next possession, Dryer sacked backup Jim Del Gaizo for another safety for a final score of 24-7. A few days later, Fred Dryer was named NFL Defensive Player of the Week.
October 21, 1979 – Ozzie Newsome begins NFL streak of 150 consecutive game receptions. In a UPI article by Thomas M. Burnettrich dated October 29, 1989 the Newsome was injured after the first Cleveland offensive play in the second half and had not had a reception in the first half against the Oilers. Newsome, by his own choice, decided not to go back into the game to try and 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.
October 21, 1984 – Riverfront Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio – Cleveland Browns’ Steve Cox sets club record with a 60-yard field goal. The amazing thing was that Cox was the punter and kickoff guy on the Brown’s roster that season, Matt Bahr was the field goal and extra point kicker. Bahr had booted a 50-yarder earlier in the first quarter, but with time waning in the 2nd stanza, the Brown’s faced a fourth down and were just out of the range of Bahr’s accuracy. Since Cox had a powerful kick off leg, Cleveland decided to trot him out there for the attempt. That rule requiring the NFL to place the ball at the spot the specialist kicked it from after a missed field goal did not exist in that era, so the worst result of a miss with 28 seconds remaining would probably be a touchback. Cox’s kick went through and knotted the game at the half 6-6. The Bengals, however, managed to come on in the second half and won the game 12-9.
A Legendary Comeback: Notre Dame vs. UCLA (October 21, 2006) ☘️
The game on October 21, 2006, saw the #10 Notre Dame Fighting Irish deliver a dramatic, season-defining performance by defeating the UCLA Bruins 20-17 at Notre Dame Stadium. This thrilling comeback instantly became one of the most memorable finishes in the stadium’s history and a signature moment of the season.
The contest was a defensive struggle for much of the afternoon, with the Bruins holding a significant lead late into the fourth quarter. As the clock ticked down, Notre Dame found itself trailing 17-13 with seemingly little time left to mount a scoring drive.
With the game nearing its end, quarterback Brady Quinn, a Heisman Trophy finalist that year, engineered a legendary, lightning-fast drive. Taking over at their own 20-yard line with just over a minute remaining, the Irish offense moved down the field with urgency. The drive culminated in one of the most famous plays of the Charlie Weis era: a dramatic 45-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jeff Samardzija with only 27 seconds left on the clock.
The touchdown, a perfect strike that stunned the UCLA defense and electrified the home crowd, secured the improbable 20-17 victory. The win showcased the resolve of the highly-ranked Irish team and cemented the clutch connection between Quinn and Samardzija, a duo that set numerous school records. Fans often cite the Quinn-to-Samardzija play as the most significant highlight of the era and stand as a powerful example of a “Game of the Decade” candidate for sheer dramatic effect. The victory propelled Notre Dame to a final regular-season record of 10-2.
October 21, 2006 – Michigan State’s Big Comeback Win
October 21, 2007 – Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas –Â Tennessee Titans kicker Rob Bironas sets an NFL record for most points scored in a game without a TD by a player, with 26. The Tennessee Titans needed all of Bironas’s eight field goals to secure a close 38-36 win against the Houston Texans.
Birthdays of Hall of Famers?
October 21 may be one of the few days of the year when there are no known Football Hall of Fame birthdays. Think we missed one? Please let us know at [email protected]
Conclusion
From an unprecedented defensive feat by Fred Dryer—the first player in NFL history to record two safeties in one game (1973)—to landmark college showdowns that captivated the nation, October 21st consistently delivered dramatic football history. This day is a testament to the game’s evolution, showcasing both individual brilliance that sets lasting records and the enduring power of storied rivalries. Whether it’s an unforgettable game-saving play or a statistical anomaly, the events of October 21st ensure the gridiron’s past remains as thrilling and relevant as the games played today.
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