Hall of Fame Birthdays and Historic Rivalries: What Happened on October 25 in Football History?
They were unbeatable, so it seemed. Opponents entered the games against them with little hope of victory. October 25 was a day when the winning streaks of two of college football’s powerhouses ended: first, Yale in 1887, and 70 years later, Army’s run.
October 25 is a date marked by pivotal moments and legendary figures who shaped American football! We’re celebrating the birthday of one of football’s wartime era stars, Marshall Goldberg. But the history doesn’t stop there—this date also marks classic college football showdowns, including Columbia’s epic stop of Army’s winning streak. Get ready to dive into the iconic players, record-breaking games, and enduring traditions that make October 25th essential reading for any gridiron fan!
October 25 Football History Headlines
- October 25, 1884 – Yale entered the 1884 season riding a 17-game winning streak and had won multiple National Championships in the past few years. The powerhouse Bulldog squad really flexed their muscles against the Dartmouth team that season. It marked the first game in which over 100 points were scored, as Yale toppled Dartmouth 113-0.
- October 25, 1905 – Annapolis, Maryland – The very first College Football Crab Bowl Classic is played. The U.S. Naval Academy and the University are less than 30 miles away from each other, so it is no surprise that these two would clash regularly on the gridiron. The series ended temporarily in 1934 after Maryland protested a controversial play. Apparently, according to a Wikipedia account, the Navy’s go-ahead touchdown play in the 1934 edition of the series was deemed illegal by the Maryland brass after a film review—an exciting development in football history for 1934. The series resurfaced a couple of times in the 1950s, and then after a 1964 contest in which a Terrapin player flashed his middle finger at Navy fans. It occurred after a punt return by Navy, where an angry Terp, Jerry Fishman, was penalized for an unnecessarily brutal hit that injured receiver Skip Orr directly in front of the Navy faithful. The jeers from the Navy stands increased above normal and were directed at Fishman. In response, Fishman approached the Brigade of Midshipmen section and flipped them off.. Later, Fishman was penalized again for a late hit on Heisman Trophy-winning Navy quarterback Roger Staubach, and again the heckling from the Navy crowd prompted Fishman to give the obscene gesture for a second time. High-ranking Navy officers noticed Fishman’s middle finger and were outraged by its disrespectful nature. Always taking the high road, Staubach later told the press that Fishman “told the fans he thought Maryland was number one and got his fingers wrong.” Navy brass suspended the series for a period that lasted until the 2005 season. The result of this first matchup between the schools was Navy defeating Maryland 17-0.
- October 25, 1947 – The unbelievable occurred, the unexpected upset of the Columbia Lions over the powerful Army Black Knights, ending the legendary winning streak of the West Point Cadets.
- October 25, 1953 – The Polo Grounds, New York City, New York – It was a sloppy track to say the least at the famed Polo Grounds on this day in late October 1953. The Cleveland Browns were well into their 4th season in the NFL after dominating the now-defunct American Football League. The Giants were a mid-level team at best in ’53, but being at home in the mud could be a great equalizer in the game, and it was! Cleveland Browns’ QB Otto Graham sets club record with 4 fumbles as the Giants’ defense did everything they could to claw the ball away from the Browns. A story on Cleveland.com’s website recounts how the only scoring sequence occurred. (https://www.cleveland.com/browns/1953/10/browns_nail_5th_straight_in_mu.html ) The long count paid off for the Cleveland Browns on that day. The long count was a strategic maneuver designed to draw Giants rookie defensive lineman Joe Ramona offside as the Browns lined up for a field goal attempt in the second period. Center Frank Gatski of the Browns had noticed that the youngster was a little jumpy, so as the Browns lined up to try a field goal from the 18-yard line, Gatski suggested to Otto Graham that he delay snapping the ball a few counts.
It worked: Ramona jumped the count, and the Giants were penalized five yards and a first-and-goal on the six-yard line. Two plays later, Graham carried the ball through the left side of the line for the only score of the game. It is rare for a player to turn the ball over four times in a game and still escape the hero. The Browns won 7- 0 against the New York Giants in the mudfest. - October 25, 1964 – Possibly the most well-known sports blooper in American sports History could be “The Wrong Way Run” by Viking Jim Marshall. On the play, Minnesota defensive standout Jim Marshall was having his way with the San Francisco 49ers that day. Even on the play in question, Marshall got his paws on Niners QB George Mira and caused Mira to lose control of the ball. Marshall promptly picked the ball up and proceeded to run 66 yards to what he presumed was an extremely easy scoop and score. Unfortunately for Jim and the Vikes, Marshall ran in the wrong direction for a safety. Marshall was a fantastic player; in fact, he was a dominant player in his era of football. Unfortunately, all of his great plays are put aside in place of this embarrassing moment of confusion.
- October 25, 1997, 9th College Football Holy War: Notre Dame beats Boston College 52-20 in South Bend
- October 25, 2003, 15th College Football Holy War: Boston College beats Notre Dame 27-25 in Chestnut Hill
October 25 Football Hall of Fame Birthdays
- Bill Reid
- Marshall Goldberg
- Bob Steuber
- Gifford Nielsen
- Pat Swilling
Conclusion
From the end of the Yale Bulldogs’ string of victories to the stunning defeat of a 32-game Army winning streak by a determined Columbia squad in 1947, October 25 delivers a spectacular lesson in football history. This date showcases the power of the underdog and the enduring significance of Hall of Fame talent. October 25 remains a crucial anchor point, reminding us that every date on the calendar holds a piece of the gridiron’s rich, competitive soul.
