The 1965 Michigan State Spartans football team was an American football team that represented Michigan State University as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 1965 Big Ten football season. In their 12th season under head coach Duffy Daugherty, the Spartans compiled a 10–1 record (7–0 in conference games), won the Big Ten championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 251 to 62. Undefeated in the regular season, the Spartans were ranked No. 1 in the final UPI coaches poll and No. 2 in the final AP writers poll, both of which were released before the bowl games. The Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) selected Michigan State and undefeated Alabama as co-national champions. The Spartans concluded the season with a 14–12 loss to No. 5 UCLA in the 1966 Rose Bowl. Quarterback Steve Juday was selected as the team's most valuable player and finished sixth in the Heisman Trophy voting. Duffy Daugherty received multiple national coach of the year awards, and defensive back George Webster was a consensus first-team pick on the 1965 All-America college football team. A total of eight Spartans received first-team All-America honors, including defensive end Bubba Smith, linebacker Ron Goovert, middle guard Harold Lucas, and defensive back Dan Japinga. On defense, the Spartans fielded the strongest rush defense in school history, giving up an average of only 45.6 rushing yards per game and holding each of Michigan, Ohio State, and Notre Dame to negative rushing yards. The team played its home games at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan. Wiki link