In an October 1953 game against Duke at the Polo Grounds in New York City, Mischak made an improbable play to seal a 14–13 Army victory that was chronicled in David Maraniss' biography of Vince Lombardi, When Pride Still Mattered.
[1] Late in the fourth quarter, Duke running back Red Smith ran a double reverse for what would have been a go-ahead touchdown, but was pursued by Mischak from 73 yards behind.
As Smith neared the endzone, Mischak caught up to him and made a touchdown-saving tackle short of the goal line.
Two subsequent stops by the Army defense yielded a historic victory for head coach Red Blaik.
Col Blaik was later to write “In somehow catching and collaring (Smith), Mischak displayed heart and a pursuit that for one single play I have never seen matched."