| Year: | 1965 |
| Team: | Michigan State Spartans |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Big Ten Conference |
| Short Conf: | Big Ten |
| Coachrank: | 1 |
| Aprank: | 2 |
| Record: | 10–1 |
| Conf Record: | 7–0 |
| Head Coach: | Duffy Daugherty |
| Hc Year: | 12th |
| Mvp: | Steve Juday |
| Captain: | Donald Japinga, Steve Juday |
| Stadium: | Spartan Stadium |
| Champion: | Coaches Poll national champion Big Ten champion |
| Bowl: | Rose Bowl |
| Bowl Result: | L 12–14 vs. UCLA |
The 1965 Michigan State Spartans football team represented the Michigan State University in the 1965 Big Ten Conference football season. The Spartans won the Big Ten Championship and competed in the 1966 Rose Bowl, losing to UCLA. Despite the loss, the Spartans shared the national championship with Alabama. Michigan State was selected national champion by UPI/coaches, Berryman, Billingsley, DeVold, Dunkel, FB News, Helms, Litkenhous, NFF, Poling, Sagarin, and Sagarin (ELO-Chess) and also co-national champion by FW.[1] Both Alabama and Michigan State were national champions for the season.
The 7-0 conference record earned Michigan State its first undisputed Big Ten Conference Football Championship in school history. [4]
Big Ten Conference Scoring Champion – Clinton Jones (7 games) 11 touchdowns, 1 PAT, total 68 points
Big Ten Conference Team Stat Champions - [6]
MSU Rushing Offense – (7 games) 1,746 yards, 249.4 yards per game average
MSU Total Offense – (7 games) 2,640 yards, 377.1 yards per game average
MSU Scoring Offense – (7 games) 203 points, 29 points per game average
MSU Rushing Defense – (7 games) 242 yards allowed, 34.6 yards per game average
MSU Total Defense – (7 games) allowed 181.7 yards per game average
MSU Scoring Defense – (7 games) allowed 56 points, 8 points per game average
MSU Punt Returns – (7 games) 10.3 yards per return average
Team Leaders - [6]
Rushing – Clinton Jones (10 games) 787 yards, 4.8 yards per carry average
Passing – Stephen Juday (10 games) 1,173 yards, 52.9% completion pct., 7 touchdowns
Receiving – Eugene Washington (9 games) 40 receptions, 638 yards, 16 yard average, 4 touchdowns
Scoring – Clinton Jones (10 games) 12 touchdowns, 1 PAT, 74 total points
All-purpose yards – Clinton Jones (10 games) 787 rushing, 308 receiving, 65 kickoff return, total yards 1,160
Interceptions – Donald Japinga 4 interceptions for 44 return yards
Punting – Richard Kenney 35 punts for 1,239 yards, 35.4 yards per punt average
Punt returns – Drake Garrett 18 returns for 210 yards, 11.7 yards per return average
Kick off returns – Drake Garrett 9 returns for 128 yards, 14.2 yards per return average
Team MVP Steve Juday finished 6th in Heisman Trophy balloting and Clint Jones finished 13th to winner Mike Garrett USC.
The Cleveland Touchdown Club named Clint Jones as "Most Outstanding College Player".
Offensive lineup [5]
End #80 Jim Proebstle, #86 Tony Angel
Tackle #67 Jerry West
Guard #63 Norm Jenkins, #70 Fred Convertini
Center #50 Boris Dimitroff, #59 Walt Forman
Guard #58 John Karpinski
Tackle #57 Joe Przybycki, #68 Dave Techlin
Split End #84 Gene Washington,
Quarterback #23 Steve Juday, #16 Jimmy Raye,
Left Halfback #34 Dwight Lee, #33 Mitch Pruiett, #32 James Garrett
Right Halfback #26 Clint Jones, #39 Drake Garrett
Fullback #44 Eddie Cotton, #45 Bob Apisa
Punter/Place kicker #42 Richard Kenney
Defensive lineup [5]
End #95 Charles "Bubba" Smith, #82 George Chatlos
Tackle #53 Alton "Buddy" Owens, #55 Pat Gallinagh, #79 Jack Schinderle
Guard #51 Harold Lucas,
Tackle #65 Don Bierowicz, #74 Don Weatherspoon
End #85 Bob Viney, #36 Phil Hoag
Linebacker #61 Ron Goovert, #62 Bob Brawley
Linebacker #71 Charles Thornhill, #59 Walt Forman
RoverBack #90 George Webster, #33 Mitch Pruiett
D-Halfback #20 Jim Summers, #29 Jerry Jones
D-Halfback #14 Don Japinga, #31 Sterling Armstrong
Safety #38 Jess Phillips
Senior Team players drafted into the NFL[3]
| Player | Position | Round | Pick | NFL club |
| Harold Lucas | Tackle | 2 | 23 | St. Louis Cardinals |
Harold Lucas, Tackle, Round 3 Boston Patriots. Alton Buddy Owens, Guard, Round 16 Boston Patriots.
Senior Lettermen include; Tony Angel, Don Bierowicz, Eddie Cotton, Boris Dimitroff, James Garrett, Ron Goovert, Don Japinga, Steve Juday, John Karpinski, Harold Lucas, Buddy Owens, Jim Proebstle, Jack Schinderle, Bob Viney, Don Weatherspoon, Dugald Tryon (Manager). [6]
All Big Ten Team include: 1st Team – Gene Washington, Clint Jones, Charles "Bubba" Smith, George Webster, Steve Juday, Ron Goovert, Don Japinga, Harold Lucas. 2nd Team – John Karpinski, Bob Apisa, Jerry West, Boris Dimitroff. Honorable Mention – Bob Viney, Don Bierowicz, Buddy Owens, David Techlin, Dwight Lee.[6]
Junior Lettermen include: Bob Brawley, Fred Convertini, Walt Forman, Pat Gallinagh, Phil Hoag, Clint Jones, Jerry Jones, Dick Kenney, Larry Lukasik #17 QB-DB, John Mullen #15 QB, Bubba Smith, Jim Summers, Charles Thornhill, Gene Washington, George Webster, Jerry West.[6]
Sophomore Lettermen include: Bob Apisa, Sterling Armstrong, George Chatlos, Drake Garrett, Norm Jenkins, Dwight Lee, Jess Phillips, Mitch Pruiett, Joe Przybycki, Jimmy Raye, Dave Techlin.[6]
Non-letter players include: Frank Altimore #37 RB, *Thomas Ammirato #69 OG, *Michael Bradley #47 LB, Phil Brittain #96 DT, William Bruce #21 FB, *Anthony Conti #75 LB, Emil Demko #41 DT, Michael Dissinger #93 OE, *Peter Dotlich #89 OE, William Grimes #97 DE, *John Grogan #30 OHB, Marty Hain #27 OHB, *Maurice Haynes #87 OE, Kenneth Heft #28 OHB, *James Hoye #35 OHB, *John Kettunen #81 OE, *Robert Lange #83 OE, *Charles Lowther #24 QB, *Russell Malone #88 OT, Clinton Meadows #98 DT, Eddy McLoud #46 DT, Dennis Miller #73 DT, Ernest Pasteur #43 DE, Wade Payne #40 DHB, *Ronald Ranieri #54 C, Richard Reahm #66 DG, Keith Redd #49 C, *Jeffrey Richardson #64 C, *Anthony Rutherford #56 LB, Thomas Skidmore #72 OT, *Lawrence Smith #52 C, Roger Stewart #22 DHB, Solomon Townsend #77 OT, John Whalen #48 OG, Michael Woodward #94 DT. * indicates appeared in game. [5],[6],[7]
Sept.18 @ East Lansing, MI
UCLA 3 Michigan State 13
MSU Apisa 21 yd run, Kenney kick
MSU Kenney 34 yd Field Goal
UCLA Zimmerman 37 yd Field Goal
MSU Kenney 23 yd Field Goal
Sept.25 @ University Park, PA
Michigan State 23 Penn State 0
MSU Kenney 24 yd Field Goal
MSU Apisa 35 yd run, Kenney kick
MSU Juday 4 yd run, Kenney kick
MSU Kenney 29 yd Field Goal
MSU Kenney 36 yd Field Goal
Oct. 2 @ East Lansing, Michigan
Illinois 12 Michigan State 22
MSU Kenney 47 yd Field Goal
ILL Grabowski 7 yd run, Custardo kick
ILL Custardo 34 yd Field Goal
MSU Jones 13 yd run, pass failed
ILL Safety (J. Phillips tackled in endzone on punt return)
MSU Apisa 10 yd run, Kenney kick
MSU Washington 7 yd pass from Juday, kick failed
Oct. 9 @ Ann Arbor
Michigan State 24 Michigan 7
MSU Juday 1 yd run, kick failed
UM Gabler 1 yd run, Sygar kick
MSU Kenney 20 yd Field Goal
MSU Jones 10 yd run, pass failed
MSU Kenney 35 yd Field Goal
MSU Apisa 39 yd run
Oct. 16 @ East Lansing, Michigan
Ohio State 7 Michigan State 32
MSU Jones 80 yd run, Kenney kick
MSU Kenney 35 yd Field Goal
MSU Safety (OSU QB sacked in endzone by R. Goovert)
MSU Jones 12 yd pass from Juday, pass failed
OSU Fontes 36 yd pass from Unverferth, Funk kick
MSU Apisa 1 yd run, Kenney kick
MSU Lowther 6 yd run, Kenney kick
Oct. 23 @ West Lafayette, IND
Michigan State 14 Purdue 10
PUR Griese 20 yd Field Goal
PUR Finley 7 yd pass from Griese, Griese kick
MSU Apisa 1 yd run, Jones pass from Juday
MSU Jones, run failed
Oct. 30 @ East Lansing, Michigan (homecoming)
Northwestern 7 Michigan State 49
NW Gates fumble recovery in endzone, Dickie kick
MSU Apisa 1 yd run, run failed
MSU Jones 5 yd run, Apisa run
MSU Apisa 2 yd run, Kenney kick
MSU Apisa 1 yd run, Kenney kick
MSU Jones 10 yd pass from Juday, Kenney kick
MSU Lee 1 yd run, Kenney kick
MSU Raye 45 yd run, Kenney kick
Nov. 6 @ Iowa City, Iowa
Michigan State 35 Iowa 0
MSU Jones 19 yd run, Kenney kick
MSU Jones 6 yd run, Kenney kick
MSU Jones 3 yd run, Kenney kick
MSU Jones 4 yd run, Kenney kick
MSU Lee 14 yd run, Kenney kick
Nov. 13 @ East Lansing, Michigan
Indiana 13 Michigan State 27
MSU Kenney 21 yd Field Goal
MSU Washington 27 yd pass from Juday, Kenney kick
IND Mailichak 10 yd pass from Stravroff, Kornowa kick
IND Stravroff 1 yd run, kick failed
MSU Washington 43 yd pass from Juday, Kenney kick
MSU Kenney 27 yd Field Goal
MSU Washington 4 yd pass from Juday, Kenney kick
Nov. 20 @ South Bend, Indiana
Michigan State 12 Notre Dame 3
ND Ivan 32 yd Field Goal
MSU Jones 3 yd run, kick failed
MSU Lee 19 yd pass from Juday, pass failed
Jan. 1, 1966 @ Pasadena, California Rose Bowl
Michigan State 12 UCLA 14
UCLA Beban 1 yd run, Zimmerman kick
UCLA Beban 1 yd run, Zimmerman kick
MSU Apisa 38 yd run, pass failed
MSU Juday 1 yd run, run failed
1965 SEASON STATISTICS [4]
Team
Net Yards Rushing ..... MSU 2,369; Opponents 456
Number of Plays ........ MSU 547 ; Opponents 338
Net Yards Passing ..... MSU 1,186 ; Opponents 1,243
Passes Attempted ..... MSU 170; Opponents 234
Passes Completed .... MSU 90 ; Opponents 106
Passes had Intercepted MSU 8 ; Opponents 17
Touchdown Passes ... MSU 7 ; Opponents 3
Total Offense
(Net gain) ................. MSU 3,555; Opponents 1,699
Number of plays ....... MSU 717; Opponents 572
First Downs (total) .... MSU 191; Opponents 111
Rushing ................... MSU 128 ; Opponents 40
Passing ................... MSU 59 ; Opponents 60
Penalty .................... MSU 4 ; Opponents 11
Interception returns ..MSU 17 ; Opponents 8
Yards on return .......MSU 146 ; Opponents 43
Punts (number) ....... MSU 35 ; Opponents 69
Avg. per punt .......... MSU 38.3 ; Opponents 37.7
Punts had blocked ...MSU 0 ; Opponents 1
Punt returns .............MSU 37 ; Opponents 11
Yards punt return .....MSU 378 ; Opponents 38
Kickoff returns ..........MSU 17 ; Opponents 51
Yards KO return .......MSU 286 ; Opponents 983
Fumbles ...................MSU 20 ; Opponents 20
Fumbles lost ............MSU 13 ; Opponents 8
Penalties .................MSU 49 ; Opponents 35
Yards lost penalties .MSU 476 ; Opponents 264
Scoring
Touchdowns ...............MSU 32 ; Opponents 7
PAT by kick ............... MSU 20-23 ; Opponents 6-7
PAT by run ................ MSU 1 ; Opponents 0
PAT by pass ............. MSU 1 ; Opponents 0
Field Goals ............... MSU 11-18 ; Opponents 4-6
Safeties .................... MSU 1 ; Opponents 1
Total points .............. MSU 251 ; Opponents 62
Individual
Rushing ---- Net yards – AVG. – TD
Clint Jones – 787yds. -- 4.8 -- 10
Bob Apisa – 666yds.-- 5.5 -- 9
Dwight Lee – 411yds. -- 3.8 -- 2
Jimmy Raye – 192yds.-- 8.8 -- 1
Steve Juday – 133yds. -- 2.1 -- 2
Eddie Cotton – 74yds.-- 2.6 -- 0
Drake Garrett – 34yds. -- 2.5 -- 0
James Garrett – 32yds. -- 5.3 -- 0
John Mullen – 26yds.-- 5.2 -- 0
Charles Lowther – 6yds.-- 6.0 -- 1
Mitch Pruiett – 6yds.-- 6.0 -- 0
John Grogan – 2yds.-- 2.0 -- 0
Passing ---- completions -- yards - pct. - td - interceptions .
Steve Juday - 89 of 168–1,173yds. -- 53% -- 7 TD—7 INT.
Jimmy Raye --- 1 of 2 -- 13yds. -- 50% -- 0 TD—1 INT.
Receiving ---- Yards – Catches -TD
Gene Washington – 638yds. -- 40–4
Clint Jones – 308yds. -- 26–2
Bob Apisa – 93yds. -- 6 -- 0
Dwight Lee – 39yds. -- 6 -- 1
Jim Proebstle – 43yds.-- 4 -- 0
Drake Garrett – 18yds. -- 3 -- 0
Tony Angel – 24yds. -- 2 -- 0
Maurice Haynes – 13yds. -- 1 -- 0
Eddie Cotton – 8yds.-- 1 -- 0
Mitch Pruiett – 2yds. -- 1 -- 0
Punting
Richard Kenney – 35–1,239 yds. -- 38.3 avg.
Punt Returns
Drake Garrett – 18–210 yds. -- 11.7 avg.
Jess Phillips – 11–89 yds. -- 9.0 avg.
Jim Summers – 2 -- 37 yds. -- 18.5 avg.
Don Japinga – 5 -- 34 yds. -- 6.8 avg.
Mitch Pruiett – 1 -- 8 yds. -- 8.0 avg.
Kickoff Returns
Drake Garrett – 9 -- 128yds—14.2 avg.
Dwight Lee – 3 -- 71yds—23.7 avg.
Clint Jones – 2 -- 65 yds—16.3 avg.
Jess Phillips – 1 -- 22 yds—22.0 avg.
Scoring ---- TD --- PAT --- FG --- Total points
Clint Jones – 12–1 -- 0 -- 74 pts.
Bob Apisa – 9 -- 1 -- 0 -- 56 pts.
Dick Kenney – 0 -- 20 of 23–11 of 17–53 pts.
Gene Washington – 4 -- 0 -- 0 -- 24 pts.
Dwight Lee – 3 -- 0 -- 0 -- 18 pts.
Steve Juday – 2 -- 0 -- 0 -- 12 pts.
Charles Lowther – 1 -- 0 -- 0 -- 6 pts.
Jimmy Raye – 1 -- 0 -- 0 -- 6 pts.
Safety --------- 2 pts.
Interception returns
Don Japinga – 4 -- 44yds
Jim Summers – 3 -- 36yds
Jess Phillips – 3 -- 11yds
Charlie Thornhill – 2 -- 37yds
Buddy Owens – 1 -- 14yds
Ron Goovert – 1 -- 4yds
Bob Viney – 1 -- 0yds
George Webster – 1 -- 0yds
Mitch Pruiett – 1 -- 0yds
Post-season recognition include: Stephen Juday, National Football Hall of Fame Graduate Fellowship Award, Big Ten Golden Helmet Award.
James Proebstle, Dr. John Hannah Award – (perseverance). Robert Viney, Biggie Munn Award – (inspirational). Donald Japinga, Forest Akers Award – (dedication).
Stephen Juday, Potsy Ross Trophy – (scholar-athlete) and Governor of Michigan Award (MVP). Harold Lucas, Danzinger Award – (Outstanding Detroit-area player).
Drake Garrett, Oil Can Award – (humor). Spartans in All-Star Games – Steve Juday and Harold Lucas, Hula Bowl-Honolulu,HI.[4]
Four players from the 1965 Michigan State team have been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame: roverback George Webster (1987), defensive end Bubba Smith (1988), split end Gene Washington (2011), and halfback Clinton Jones (2015). In addition, athletic director Clarence Munn (1959) and head coach Duffy Daugherty (1984) were also inducted.[5]
Head Coach Hugh Duffy Daugherty (11 seasons, 1954–1964) had a record of 63-34-3 in the 100 games prior to the 1965 season, with 2 National Championships 1955 and 1957. He was named "National Coach of the Year" by the Football Writer's Association at the conclusion of the 1965 season for the second time (1955). The Sporting News, New York Daily News, Football News, and The Washington Touchdown Club also named Duffy as "Coach of the Year ".[4] The MSU 1965 assistant coaches: Hank Bullough Defensive Line, Vince Carillot Defensive Backs, Dan Boisture Offensive Backs, Al Dorrow Asst. Backfield, Cal Stoll Ends, Gordon Serr Offensive Line, Ed Rutherford Freshman and Gayle Robinson served as team trainer. [6]
First Team All-Americans: Bob Apisa fullback, Ron Goovert linebacker, Clint Jones halfback, Steve Juday quarterback, Harold Lucas middle guard, Charles "Bubba" Smith defensive end, Gene Washington split end, George Webster rover back. [6]
Team Captains Don Japinga DB, Steve Juday QB, along with DT Donald Bierowicz and TE James Proebstle earned Academic All Big Ten Conference honors. [6]
The Spartans of East Lansing, Michigan wearing green football helmets with a white stripe, white number decals at the back and white Spartan head decals on the side; and green jerseys (home games) with white numbers front and back with MICHIGAN STATE in white letters on front; and white pants with green belts and trim. For away games, jerseys are white with all lettering in green.[4]
MSU had an average home attendance of 69,459 which ranked #3 in NCAA.[6]
In the schedule below you will notice the Spartans were not ranked in the Associated Press (AP) preseason "Top 10" poll released September 13, 1965. The AP preseason poll did rank opponents Notre Dame #3, Michigan #4, Purdue #9, Ohio State #10. All were defeated by the combined score of 82-27. (3 of which were away games) The Spartan defense held Michigan, Ohio State and Notre Dame to negative rushing yards.
The Touchdown Club of Columbus, Ohio named Michigan State "The Best Football Team with the Most Demanding Schedule" known as the Robert Zuppke Award. The Helms Athletic Foundation, The Sporting News, and the Washington Touchdown Club named the Spartans "Team of the Year". The National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame presented the Spartans with the MacArthur Bowl. United Press International (UPI) Poll of College Football Coaches ranked Michigan State #1 in their final season poll. The Football Writers Association named MSU and Alabama as co-champions with the Grantland Rice Award.[4]
Since 1959 The MacArthur Bowl is presented annually by the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame to the outstanding college football team of the season. [9]
The Helms Athletic Foundation of Los Angeles, founded by Paul Helms and Bill Schroeder operated Halls of Fame for a variety of sports, named All-American teams for college football and basketball, and selected a college football national champion. [10]