National Football Foundation

Big Ten Champion Michigan State claimed their first MacArthur Bowl, despite a 14-12 loss to AAWU Champion UCLA in the Rose Bowl. The 1965 Spartans, coached by College Football Hall of Famer Duffy Daugherty, are one of four teams to claim the MacArthur Bowl despite losing in its bowl game. Michigan State finished 10-1, including a win over then-No. 4 Notre Dame to end the regular season. The 1965 Michigan State team featured four Hall of Famers: halfback Clinton Jones, defensive end Bubba Smith, wide receiver Gene Washington, and linebacker George Webster. The Spartans also fielded 1965 NFF National Scholar-Athlete and quarterback Steve Juday.

Representing the pinnacle of team achievement in college sports, the trophy was the gift of an anonymous donor, who commissioned Tiffany & Co. to craft it from 400 ounces of silver, in honor of NFF founder General Douglas A. MacArthur. It took eight months to make, and the trophy features MacArthur's famous quote: "There is no substitute for victory."