Defensive back Tom Sakal missed being an All-Big Ten unanimous player by one vote after the 1967 season. A regular player for 3 seasons from 1965 to 1967, his 12 career interceptions led the team each year he suited up for the Gophers. The 6 foot 195 pound back from Aliquippa, Pennsylvania was pivotal during the 1967 season.
After a comeback 20-15 victory over Michigan on October 28th, Sakal told reporters, “We took Michigan too lightly to be frank... We didn’t expect them to be nearly that tough...”
Sakal, wearing number 11, injured his knee in Minnesota’s only Big Ten loss in 1967, and was questionable coming into the penultimate game of the season against Indiana.