The Seahawks were hampered by some injuries and by the last-minute transfer of six players, including their starting quarterback, Jack Williams, to other bases.

The game was played on Nov. 21, 1943. American forces had just invaded Tarawa, an atoll in the Pacific. British troops had captured the town of Archi, in Abruzzo, Italy. The Germans and Russians were battling in the Kiev bulge. And the biggest football game of the year was played in South Bend, Ind.

Anticipation was high. Notre Dame had Johnny Lujack at quarterback who, after a stint in the Navy, would go on to win the Heisman Trophy in 1947 and play for the Bears. He was replacing Angelo Bertelli, who would win the Heisman later that year despite an abbreviated season. Bertelli had been called up to the Marines after Notre Dame’s first six games and eventually fought on Iwo Jima.

The line — even war doesn’t stop gamblers from betting — was Notre Dame by 20 points

“Whether a top-flight college football team is in the same class with a crack professional club long has been a hypothetical puzzler,” The New York Times mused before the game.

In those days, the college game was more popular than the fledgling N.F.L., and many stars did not even bother to go pro. The game between Iowa Pre-Flight and Notre Dame was going to answer that question.

To the surprise of the 45,000 people in attendance, mighty Notre Dame fell behind, 13-7. Only a late 6-yard touchdown by running back Creighton Miller, who led the nation in rushing that year, gave Notre Dame the victory, 14-13. Todd, the Iowa Pre-Flight quarterback, suffered a broken jaw in the fourth quarter, and the Seahawks offense stalled.