Down & Distance

Follow Down & Distance
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

ESPN Senior Writer Ivan Maisel tells eight stories from the history of college football that examine how the sport has contributed to and reflected American culture through its 150 years.

ESPN, Ivan Maisel


    • Sep 12, 2019 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 28m AVG DURATION
    • 9 EPISODES


    Search for episodes from Down & Distance with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from Down & Distance

    We Interrupt This Season

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2019 32:20


    Ivan Maisel tells the story of two college football teams who found themselves marooned on Oahu on December 7, 1941, the day the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor.

    Sooner Sabotage

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2019 33:18


    Ivan Maisel describes how the greatest dynasty in the modern history of college football came apart one night in 1959. The culprit? Fruit salad.

    The Fall Of Troy

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2019 31:48


    Ivan Maisel explores how the USC Trojans came within 19 seconds of making college football history with three back to back championships - and then slowly receded from the top.

    Standing at Armageddon

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2019 36:44


    Ivan Maisel explores how Pitt's Bobby Grier found himself in an unexpected position in 1956 when he became the first college football player to break the color line in the Deep South. But his appearance in the Sugar Bowl wasn't without controversy.

    The Tie that Wasn't

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2019 35:30


    Ivan Maisel tells the story of the most controversial game in one of college football's greatest rivalries - the 1973 tie between Bo Schembechler's Michigan and Woody Hayes's Ohio State University.

    Michael Vick: A Three-Play Guy

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2019 28:34


    ESPN's Ivan Maisel explores how redshirt freshman Michael Vick took the world of college football by storm in 1999 and argues that his standout season changed the face of the game.

    Jimmy Johnson And The House of Speed

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2019 30:25


    ESPN's Ivan Maisel explains how Coach Jimmy Johnson's lifelong reverence for speed transformed not only the Miami Hurricanes - but all of college football.

    America Mourns Rockne

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2019 29:47


    Notre Dame icon Knute Rockne died in a plane crash in 1931. Veteran sportswriter Ivan Maisel tells the story of how the beloved coach served as the vehicle for how we celebrate the lost lives of our national icons.

    Down & Distance

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2019 1:09


    ESPN Senior Writer Ivan Maisel tells eight stories from the history of college football that examine how the sport has contributed to and reflected American culture through its 150 years.

    Claim Down & Distance

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel