Throwback Thursday: Notre Dame Fighting Irish VS Oklahoma Sooners, 1966

This week, we’re heading back to one of the most defining statements of the Ara Parseghian era — a day when Notre Dame didn’t just win, they announced themselves to the nation. Long before playoff brackets and Twitter debates, the Irish traveled to Norman in 1966 for a clash of unbeatens that was billed as a heavyweight fight. What unfolded instead was a reminder of what Notre Dame football looks like when size, speed, strength, and swagger all show up at once.

In this excerpt from the 1966 Notre Dame Football Review — originally published in Scholastic Magazine — writer Tom Wright captures the scene inside both locker rooms following Notre Dame’s resounding 38–0 victory over Oklahoma. From Ara Parseghian’s astonishment to the Sooners’ stunned praise, it’s a glimpse into a moment when the Irish made the whole country sit up and say: They’re No. 1.

So light your Advent candle, pour your coffee, and enjoy this week’s throwback to an afternoon when the Irish overwhelmed yet another giant — and left no doubt who ruled college football in 1966.

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The below excerpt is from the 1966 Notre Dame Football Review, in the December 9th, 1966 issue of the Scholastic Magazine by Tom Wright.

Ambush at OK Corral

In 1957, Notre Dame defeated Oklahoma and in Norman they interrupted movies to announce the score. Now eight years later, the “Sunday Oklahoman” relates another loss, one just as crushing.

by TOM WRIGHT

“They’re No. 1 in the country as far as I’m concerned, unless it’s the Green Bay Packers,” said OklahomaGuard Ron Winfrey in the steamy, sullen locker room following Notre Dame’s 38-0 lacing of the Sooners Saturday.

And that pretty well sums up the opinion of Coach Jim Mackenzie, his staff, the Sooners and the record 63,439fans who attended the battle of the unbeatens.

“They had a fine football team,” said Mackenzie. “They did everything well. They had fast runners when theyneeded fast runners and strong runners when they needed strong runners. We had hoped to go wide on them but their ends (Alan Page and Tom Rhoades) did a good job keeping us inside. Their inside men (Tackles Pete Duranko and Kevin Hardy) kept a lot of pressure on us the second half. Jim Lynch (inside linebacker) blitzed on us several times and we didn’t pick it up.”

Winfrey drew the sad assignment of blocking Hardy, 270-pound junior, or Duranko, 235-pound senior, most ofthe afternoon.

“Their size and strength was expected, but their quickness surprised me a lot,” he said.

In round figures that sums up the Fighting Irish this afternoon. They have size, strength and speed and simplyoutclassed the Sooners.

The atmosphere in the Irish dressing room was exuberant. Shouts of “We’re No. 1” greeted the visitingpress.

“We didn’t expect this,” Notre Dame Coach Ara Parseghian exclaimed.

“I don’t know what made the difference. I thought it would be a hard-fought defensive battle. You never knowif the breaks are going to go for you or against you. But I never expected that score.”

Parseghian had high praise for both his offensive and defensive teams, commenting that Quarterback Terry Hanratty “hit some clutch passes, and that opened them up for our running game. I’m proud of the way Halfback Nick Eddy performed, too. And Halfback Bob Bleier — he’s been a very steady player and outstanding runner all year.”

Parseghian said OU’s shovel pass to the halfback “did hurt us some; they hadn’t used that before. But in thesecond half it was inconsistent enough that we could knock it down occasionally for a six- or seven-yard loss. That’s a play that can gain you 15 yards, or it can backfire on you.”

“I thought our whole team played an exceptional game,” said Eddy. “Oklahoma has a good team withexceptional speed, but I think when they lost Liggins they lost a little momentum. When we scored late in the second quarter they lost some more. We sure were unhappy the second half and we wanted to do a job on ’em,” he added.

Unhappy about what?

“We thought they were playing a little rough,” Eddy said.

Most of the Irish were impressed with the play of Liggins and the enthusiasm for a half.

The outcome was obvious by halftime and newsmen relaxed enough to drop a few quips along the way.

“I know what Mackenzie’s halftime talk will be,” one scribe said. “Boys, let’s start putting that weight back on.”

When the blunderbuss boomed the Sooners back onto the field at halftime, another scribe remarked, “Herecome the Christians again!”

Once during the fourth quarter, a partisan writer yawned, “I’ve lost interest.” Then when OU QuarterbackJim Burgar was too long getting the Sooners off and suffered a delay penalty, he said, “So’s Burgar.”

A little sick humor, maybe, but, in a situation like that, you have to find something to laugh about.

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Blowout wins don’t always become part of Notre Dame lore — but this one did. Maybe it was the surprise of it all. Maybe it was the dominance at every position. Or maybe it was the way Oklahoma players, coaches, and fans walked away shaking their heads and admitting they’d just faced something different. Something powerful. Something Notre Dame.

Fifty-plus years later, this game still reminds us what Irish excellence looks like: disciplined, fearless, explosive, and united. And as we move through this Advent season — a season rooted in hope — it feels fitting to remember a moment when the Irish inspired exactly that.

Wishing you a joyful first week of Advent and a wonderful Christmas season. May your days be filled with the same light, anticipation, and hope that this 1966 team carried with them onto every field.

Cheers & GO IRISH!