The Rivalry

CHAPTER SEVEN: 1936

The greatest game

As Indiana and Purdue concluded spring practice in April 1936, a feeling of excitement permeated both programs. For Purdue, a return to title contention was as a distinct possibility; for the Hoosiers, continued improvement was all but assured in what would be Bo McMillin’s third year at the helm. Both squads had premier tailbacks. Junior Cecil Isbell, the redhead from Houston, Texas, returned to lead the Boilermakers. His passing and running skills would certainly merit All-America consideration. In Bloomington, stocky Vern Huffman, who starred in football and basketball, was the talk of the campus. And the schedules, although preordained by the conference “haves,” actually benefited both teams. These were down years for Iowa, Chicago, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Only Minnesota, with its 20-game conference winning streak, and always-powerful Ohio State emerged as serious obstacles to the title aspirations of the two Indiana schools.

Prior to the start of college football in September, Americans were focused on two significant events during that summer of 1936. Germany hosted the Olympics in Berlin, in what became a showcase for American track star Jesse Owens. And America’s political parties chose their presidential candidates at national conventions, Alf Landon and the incumbent, Franklin D. Roosevelt. It was FDR who, in accepting the Democratic nomination on June 27, sounded an admonition to the country’s youth: “To some generations much is given. Of other generations, much is expected. This generation of Americans has a rendezvous with destiny!”

A few months later, destiny dealt a harsh blow to the Purdue faithful. On Saturday, September 12, the Purdue football squad had just finished a strenuous practice. As they stripped off their gear, an explosion ripped through the locker room. A gas heater had ignited gasoline fumes, and flames spread quickly across the dressing room floor. Six players were hospitalized with burns on their feet and legs. Senior Carl Dahlback died the next day when poisons absorbed by his burns attacked his kidneys. Tom McGammon, a promising tailback, lingered until early Thursday morning, but he died as well. Purdue officials were quick to investigate so as to prevent a recurrence, but the tragedy had a profound effect on not only the university, but the entire state.

By the end of September, the prognosticators had selected Minnesota to defend the conference titles it had won in 1934 and 1935. The Gophers’ last defeat had come in the 1932 season finale against Michigan, and then only by a field goal. Minnesota would be aided in its efforts by a schedule that featured six homes games in its 63,000-seat stadium. Pappy Waldorf at Northwestern had assembled a highly competitive team and would challenge Minnesota. In fact, the title could be decided early in the season, when the Wildcats played host to the Gophers in Chicago. Purdue and Ohio State were considered dark horses, with Indiana listed as a long shot. Once again, Michigan, the oft-proclaimed “conquering heroes,” were relegated to the second division. Harry Kipke’s run as coach of the Wolverines was about to end.

The Boilermakers began their schedule a week early, on September 26. They promptly allayed any concerns that they might be flat because of the September 12 tragedy, trouncing Ohio University 47-0. It was the largest margin of victory against a nonconference foe at Ross-Ade Stadium. Isbell was the star, accounting for four touchdowns himself and throwing a TD pass to sophomore Bill Vergane.

After taking a week off, Purdue buried an inept Wisconsin squad, 35-14, in front of 18,000 Homecoming fans. Senior John Drake ran for three scores. Chicago was host to the Boilermakers on October 16, but the Maroons were no match for Purdue offensively or defensively, falling 35-0. Could any team stop Isbell and his mates? The Boilers would find out next as they ventured to Minnesota, where the Gophers’ unbeaten string stood at 27.

With 48,000 fans looking on, Minnesota survived a tepid first half, then rolled up 27 points after halftime to defeat Purdue 33-0. After a fumble ended Purdue’s first half drive on the Minnesota six-yard line, the Boilers proved no match for the eventual national champions.

Two nonconference games followed, and the results were mixed. Carnegie Tech held Purdue until the fourth quarter when John Drake, filling in for the injured Isbell, took over and led the Boilermakers to a 7-6 win. But a strong Fordham team, hoping for a Rose Bowl bid, held Purdue scoreless on a wet and misty day at New York’s Polo Grounds, winning 15-0. Then, a week before the Bucket clash, the Boilers journeyed to Iowa and beat the hapless Hawkeyes 13-0.

Indiana’s season began with victories over Centre and Michigan, the second win particularly satisfying since the Hoosiers hadn’t beaten the Wolverines since 1928. Finally, the schedule and reality caught up with the team as they traveled to Nebraska to meet the powerful Cornhuskers. Indiana, a two-touchdown underdog, fought vainly, mounting seven sustained drives and gaining the ’Huskers’ respect. Still, the Hoosiers fel