Blog: Memorial Stadium Memories

On Sept. 12, 2009, the Golden Gophers will return to campus and play outside for the first time since Nov. 21, 1981. Leading up to the debut of TCF Bank Stadium, Gophersports.com will take a look back at some memorable moments from Memorial Stadium. This week, we'll review the top-five showdown between Minnesota and Michigan State on November 4, 1961.

November 4, 1961 - No. 5 Minnesota blanks No. 1 Michigan State, 13-0

Gold Zone Video: Minnesota-Michigan State Highlights

Fresh off the program's sixth national championship, the Golden Gophers' 1961 season got off to a sluggish start. Minnesota was defeated at home by Missouri by a 6-0 margin, but rebounded to post four straight wins. A 23-20 victory against Michigan set up a showdown between the fifth-ranked Golden Gophers and top-ranked Michigan State at Memorial Stadium on Nov. 4, 1961.

Minnesota would have to find away to be productive against one of the nation's top defenses. At the midway point of the season, the Spartans had just allowed a total of 10 points. After forcing a three-and-out on the Spartans' opening drive, Gopher quarterback Sandy Stephens led a meticulous drive down the field. Highlighted by a clutch third-down pass to Mike Hall, the Golden Gophers drove to MSU's eight-yard line. Stephens took the ball around the left side and lateraled to Bill Munsey (pictured) who raced across the goal line to give Minnesota the early lead at 6-0.

Defense would be the name of the game on this day, but that defense would be clad in Maroon and Gold. In the first half, Michigan State found themselves deep in Minnesota's territory on two occasions. The Gopher defense held the Spartans on fourth and goal at the five yard line as Bobby Bell and Dave Mulholland stuffed Spartan fullback George Saimes.

Later in the half, Michigan State reached the Gopher 12-yard line, but on fourth and one, Saimes was denied again when he slipped on the Memorial Stadium grass.

Following a scoreless third quarter, Minnesota turned the ball over on downs and Michigan State had nine minutes to cut into the Gophers' 6-0 lead. After the Spartans had traveled 25 yards on just three plays, Sherman Lewis took the handoff and was hit hard by end Tom Hall. The ball popped loose and Hall made the recovery to end the threat.

Six plays later, the Golden Gophers had their breathing room. On third down and 11 from the MSU 23-yard line, Stephens rolled right and floated a perfect pass over a pair of Spartan defenders into the hands of Munsey in the back of the end zone.

Stephens wasn't done however as he capped the game on defense with a fumble recovery in his own end zone after the Spartans had traveled the length of the field. The play sealed Minnesota's shutout and marked the first time in 26 games that Michigan State was held without a point.

Munsey finished the game with 12 carries for 60 yards and a score, as well as a 23-yard touchdown reception. Stephens completed 5-of-10 passes for 92 yards and rushed for 45 yards.

Post-Game Notes:
The headline in the Minneapolis Sunday Tribune: "Gophers Shock Spartans 13-0"

Michigan State played a total of 36 players, while the Golden Gophers played 27.

Bill Munsey was a high school teammate of Sandy Stephens

Minnesota finished 6-1 during its Big Ten schedule. The Golden Gophers, ranked third at the time, were upset by Wisconsin, 23-21, in the regular-season finale.

The Golden Gophers finished the season at 8-2 with a win over UCLA in the Rose Bowl. Ohio State won the 1961 Big Ten title, but the OSU Faculty Council voted to turn down the invitation which resulted in student demonstrations over a two-night span.

The Golden Gophers are 2-14 against top-ranked teams since rankings were first released in 1936. The other victory was a 16-0 win against Michigan in 1977 at Memorial Stadium.

No. 5 Minnesota 13, No. 1 Michigan State 0
November 4, 1961
Memorial Stadium
Attendance: 59,941

	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Total
Michigan State	0	0	0	0	0
Minnesota	6	0	0	7	13

		MN	MSU
1st	MN: Munsey 8 run (conversion failed)	6	0
4th	MN: Munsey 23 pass from Stephens (Loechler kick)	13	0

	Minnesota	Michigan State
First Downs	17	16
Rushing Attempts	50	47
Net Yards Rushing	201	161
Passes Attempted	10	18
Passes Completed	5	8
Net Yards Passing	92	99
Had Intercepted	0	1
Total Offensive Plays	60	65
Total Net Yards	293	260
Fumbles: No./Lost	3/0	4/2
Penalties: No./Yards	3/17	1/15
Interceptions: No./Yards	1/0	0/0

Minnesota					Michigan State
Rushing	Att.	Yards	TD		Rushing	Att.	Yards	TD
Dickson	11	33	0		Saimes	11	44	0
Stephens	12	45	0		Lattimer	2	5	0
Mulholland	9	42	0		Lopes	1	-2	0
Munsey	12	60	1		Hatcher	8	31	0
King	1	0	0		Balman	5	21	0
Cairns	1	3	0		Smith	4	-37	0
Fisher	4	18	0		Lewis	9	56	0
					Sharon	3	16	0
					Lincoln	4	27	0

Totals	50	201	1		Totals	47	161	0

Minnesota					Michigan State
Passing	Att.-Comp.-Int.	Yards	TD		Passing	Att.-Comp.-Int.	Yards	TD
Stephens	10-5-0	92	1		Smith	10-4-0	29	0
					Proebstle	7-4-0	70	0
					Charon	1-0-1	0	0

Totals	10-5-0	92	1		Totals	18-8-1	99	0

Minnesota					Michigan State
Receiving	No.	Yards	TD		Receiving	No.	Yards	TD
Hall	3	58	0		Sanders	5	60	0
Munsey	1	23	1		Brandstatter	1	10	0
Jones	1	11	0		Ballman	1	4	0
					Charon	1	25	0

Totals	5	92	1		Totals	8	99	0

Previous Memories:

The Golden Gophers stun No. 10 USC, 25-19 on Oct. 29, 1955
Minnesota rallies to beat eventual Rose Bowl champ Washington, on Oct. 1, 1977

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