A Team of Destiny
The Unforgettable Story of Indiana’s 1967 Big Ten Championship Season And the Rose Bowl of 1968
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Saturday, November 24th 1967, a beautiful day in Bloomington Indiana. The sun shone brilliantly and even when combined with an air temperature of 45 degrees, created a surprisingly pleasant day for this time of the year. The sky was clear and the multitude of flags over Memorial Stadium were limp and barely moving as 52,770 fans rustled in their seats awaiting the start of a game that would decide the championship of the Big Ten Conference. The Indiana Hoosiers, winners of eight games, losing only to the Minnesota Golden Gophers the previous Saturday were primed and ready as a favorable outcome would catapult them to Pasadena for the annual Rose Bowl game on January 1, 1968, the so called “Granddaddy of all bowl games.” Purdue, with a veteran squad, unbeaten in conference play, visited the Rose Bowl the previous year and came away with a victory, 14-13. Purdue also whipped Minnesota this season, beating one of the top defensive teams in the league by the comfortable margin of 41-12. Given Indiana’s close calls during their season and the loss to Minnesota, the Boilermakers were a two touchdown favorite. And, oh yes, the winner would gain possession of the Old Oaken Bucket, the symbol of the rivalry between Indiana and Purdue. Three hours later it was over. Indiana had pulled it off. The playing field was filled with Indiana fans celebrating their victory. The goal posts shook precariously as a trip to California awaited as did the Southern California Trojans. And Mutt, Pete, Bullet Ben, Billy the Kid, Corby, the Raven, Goon, Hurlin’ Hal, Hunchy, and all the other heroes that once upon a time toiled relentlessly for the glory of Indiana cheered in appreciation!
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About the Book
By the mid 1960’s, Indiana University had hired its sixth football coach since 1945. The Hoosier’s reputation continued to erode. To the other Big Ten teams, the Hoosiers were patsies! And their new coach, John Pont, despite a good record at Yale and Miami (Ohio), had started his first two years at Indiana with a miserable two wins, sixteen losses and one tie. By the year 1967, Indiana had little thought of competing for the Big Ten Championship. It would be considered a successful campaign if Indiana had a .500 record and beat Purdue. What nobody expected was that Coach Pont and a determined group of veterans and sophomores would take the college football world by storm. With sophomores like quarterback Harry Gonso, running back John Isenbarger, pass catching whiz Jade Butcher, and a stout senior led defense Indiana would go undefeated in its first eight games before being surprised by Minnesota. Still, the Hoosiers went on to win their first Big Ten championship since 1945, beating Purdue to claim the Old Oaken Bucket, and play against the mighty Southern California Trojans in the Rose Bowl
About the Author
Bob Arnold is a graduate of Indiana University and its School of Law. He worked for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Indiana where he became Executive Vice President, Corporate Secretary and Chief Legal Counsel. He has followed Indiana University football and basketball his entire life and is well versed in Hoosier history. Upon his retirement he fulfilled his lifelong ambition to write, initially chronicling his I.U. class of 1954 for their 40th anniversary reunion. In 1996 he wrote Hoosier Autumn, The Remarkable Story of Indiana University’s 1945 Championship Team, a book acclaimed for its depiction of football and race relations following World War II. His next book, The Rivalry, Purdue and Indiana 1925-2004, encompassed the 75 year history of the Old Oaken Bucket game. Bob and his wife, Linda, have lived most of their lives in Indianapolis and have also lived in St. Petersburg, Florida. They presently reside near Zionsville.