That "Fifth-Down" Game

WHEN Dartmouth and Cornell tangle in Hanover on November 13 a good many spectators at the game or watching the Eastern telecast over NBCTV may be pardoned if their thoughts wander back into history, for this is the 25th anniversary of the legendary "fifth down" game between Dartmouth and Cornell. The 1940 contest saw an inspired Big Green team holding a 3-0 lead over undefeated Cornell until the final seconds of the game when the Big Red pushed over a touchdown on what game films later revealed to be an illegal, extra "fifth down," granted by a confused referee. When the mistake was confirmed Cornell graciously conceded the game to Dartmouth 3-0.

Many of those who played key roles in that game will be on hand for the anniversary contest. Referee William "Red" Friesell, who made the erroneous ruling, is expected to be a guest in the Dartmouth stands. Irving F. "Snuffy" Smith '41, who managed the 1940 Dartmouth team and is now Associate Director of Athletics, will be counting the house this year and hoping for a better attendance than the mere 8,000 fans who braved pre-game snow flurries and near-freezing temperatures to watch that 1940 game in Hanover. Then there's Edward C. Chamberlain Jr. '36, now Director of Admissions, whose detailed scouting reports enabled head coach Earl "Red" Blaik to develop the Dartmouth defensive strategy which befuddled the vaunted Cornell offense all afternoon.

Two honored guests will be Lou Young Jr. '41, captain of Dartmouth's 1940 team and Walter Matuszak, the 1940 Cornell captain, who undoubtedly will have mixed emotions at this anniversary game since his son Chuck will be playing center for the Big Green.

The "fifth down" episode tended to overshadow what many observers regard as one of the finest games ever played by a Dartmouth team. This was Coach Red Blaik's last year at the helm of the Big Green and marked his final appearance at Memorial Field as Dartmouth coach.

Coach Carl Snavely's Cornell team which came to Hanover that November day 25 years ago were unbeaten and untied in 18 games, were ranked first nationally, and had not been scored upon by an Ivy team. Against this powerhouse Coach Blaik sent a team with a mediocre record of three wins and four defeats, yet it was a Dartmouth squad that found itself in this game.

Dartmouth completely checked Cornell's offense in the scoreless first half, the Big Green line playing with almost superhuman effort. In the second half Dartmouth's offense started to roll and the Indians drove to the Cornell 17-yard line before the Big Red could rally their defenses. In a fourth-down situation Bob Krieger booted a 27-yard field goal to give the Indians a 3-0 lead. Finally, with minutes left in the contest and with Dartmouth fans screaming themselves hoarse, the Cornell team began to move. In six plays (including one penalty for pass interference) the Cornell team advanced to Dartmouth's six-yard line. line and with fourth down coming up the ball rested on the Indians' one-foot line. Then Cornell's Captain Matuszak called for time out (to stop the clock at six seconds). But Cornell had used all its times out and was penalized five yards. When a fourth-down pass into the end zone was knocked aside, Dartmouth rooters set up a mighty cheer. Three seconds were still left and suddenly Referee "Red" Friesell was awarding Cornell the ball again (over the protestations of Captain Lou Young and linesman Joe McKenney). Bedlam ensued on the field and in the stands but the Cornell team lined up quickly and this time an end-zone pass from Scholl to Bill Murphy was good.

After the game films had clearly showed the fifth down, Referee Friesell admitted his error and 48 hours later (4 p.m. Monday, November 18) after an exchange of telegrams between coaches, captains, and athletic directors, Cornell conceded the game to Dartmouth 3-0. This triggered one of the biggest celebrations recorded on campus.