The Pecan Park Eagle

UH 37 – Michigan State 7.
East Lansing, Michigan
September 23, 1967

UH’s Wondrous Warren McVea (with his number 42 only visible as 2) takes off to the right on a 50-yard run in the second quarter that will result in several faked out jock straps strewn one by one on the grass of the Michigan State side of the field as he winds up eventually scoring near the far left side pylon.

Here’s how The Port Arthur News handled the Associated Press story on Page 14 of their Sunday, September 24, 1967 edition:

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GREAT DAY FOR COUGARS!

Mighty Spartans Fall, 37-7

East Lansing, Mich. (AP) Long bomb artist Dick Woodall and slithery Warren McVea led Houston to a smashing 37-7 football upset of third-ranked Michigan State, the defending Big Ten champions.

It was the first loss for the Spartans since the 1966 Rose Bowl and their worst beating since 1947, when Michigan pounded them 55-0.

Coach Bill Yeoman of Houston, formerly an assistant to Coach Duffy Daugherty, was asked if he was surprised by the 30-point victory by his unranked Cougars.

“Man,” drawled Yeoman in the dressing room, “that’s like asking Custer if he was surprised about all those Indians.”

Daugherty said the team tutored by his former aide deserved to win.

Warren McVea

McVea, a 5-foot-8 halfback who averaged 10 yards per carry the past two seasons, zipped away on a touchdown sprint of 50 yards, (earlier) cut loose on a 48-yard run deep into MSU territory and piled up 155 yards rushing in the rout.

“You had to be close to him to appreciate some of his faking,” Daugherty praised. “He’s the quickest runner I’ve seen in a long time.”

Woodall, a 6-foot-1 senior, came back from an ankle injury last week to hit touchdown passes of 77 yards to end Ken Hebert on a 77-yard play and flanker Don Bean on a 76-yard play, both in the second half.

The Cougars, fresh from a 33-13 trouncing of Florida State last weekend, posed the first test for the Spartans, who had a seasoned offense built around quarterback Jimmy Rae.

But the 6-foot-1 Woodall, also a senior,  outsparkled Michigan State’s attack, and McVea, who cut loose on a 48-yard run in the first quarter, had a 105 yards rushing in the first half.

Spartans Fizzle

The Spartans offense fizzled at several key junctures, including advance to the Houston three and 10, where a penalty helped the Cougars halt the Spartans.

But Houston throttled Michigan State’s passing game at key points, too, turning an interception by Mike Simpson into a 59-yard touchdown run with 34 seconds left in the game.

An interception by Tom Paciorek gave Houston possession on its 39 while the Cougars trailed 7-3 in the second period. Ken Bailey, in relief at quarterback, passed 29 yards to Hebert. McVea, a swift, squirmy sprinter, (then) broke for 50 yards up the middle and scored the touchdown that put Houston on top to stay.

On the second play after an MSU punt, Woodall hit the streaking Hebert for the 77-yard touchdown that gave Houston a ten point lead, 17-7 (in the third quarter).

Spartans Pass

The Spartans came back passing, with Raye hitting end Al Brenner for 13 yards, but successive passes went incomplete and Michigan State punted.

An exchange of punts followed and Houston set up on its 11. McVea ran for 14 yards on the first play. Then Woodall lofted a bomb to Bean, who sprinted in on a 76-yard play. (UH now led, 24-7.)

Six plays carried 66 yards in Michigan State’s only scoring march. Thomas took a pitchout from Raye and skirted the left sideline on his 44-yard touchdown trip (1st Quarter, giving MSU a 7-3 lead.)

Daugherty had worried about his defense, which was riddled by losses from graduation. Bubba Smith, George Webster, and Charlie Thornhill were among the veterans who went to the professional ranks. Daugherty learned his fears were not unfounded.

155 for McVea

McVea, only 5-foot-8, did ballet steps as he slithered easily through the MSU defense on his 50-yard scoring run. The little zipper, who average 10 yards per carry in his first two seasons as a college player, had 155 yards rushing for the afternoon. Paul Gipson was (the) second top rusher for the Cougars with 58 yards.

Thomas led MSU statistics with 60 yards rushing – most of it in his touchdown bolt. Raye, who been noted as a running quarterback, was held to 45 yards on the ground. Dwight Lee made 38 yards for MSU.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve taken our lumps like that,” MSU Coach Duffy Daugherty concluded in a sidebar comment after the game.

– Port Arthur (TX) News, Sunday, September 24, 1967, Page 14