UCLA 14 Michigan State 12
Tommy Prothro changes schools and finds the magic formula as coach of the UCLA Bruins (7-2-1) who knock Duffy Daugherty's Michigan Staters (10-0) out of the national championship in a thrilling 14-12 upset. Gary Beban's two quarterback-keeper touchdowns and Kurt Zimmerman's conversions give UCLA a 14-0 lead before Michigan State makes a late charge in face of heroic Bruin defense. Big Bob Apisa scores on a 38-yard pitchout play from Jim Raye, but Bruin defensive end Jerry Klein rushes a two-point pass try into a failure. Trailing by eight points, the Spartans roar back and score again on a Steve Juday keeper. Trying for two points to tie, pitchout artist Raye flips to Apisa who storms right end, being hit first by Jim Colletto and finally by little Bob Stiles inches short of the goal line.