Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com AUGUST 2018 13 UNDER THE DOME 30 Years Ago: Aug. 13, 1988 Media day prior to head coach Lou Holtz's third season with the Fighting Irish remains guarded after debuting with a 5-6 record in 1986 and 8-4 finish in 1987. "We have a chance to be better than a year ago," Holtz said, "but we have to have so many good things happen to us. This football team may be a year away." Although Notre Dame signed the No. 1-ranked recruiting classes in 1987 and 1988, the "year away" theme is prevalent because they are still sophomores and freshmen. Plus: • 1987 Heisman Trophy winner Tim Brown graduated. • Four of the five offensive line starters from 1987 had graduated and the fifth, guard Jeff Pearson, transferred to Michigan State. • The entire defensive front line is new with sophomores Chris Zorich (no playing time in 1987) and George Williams (8:16 playing time), junior Jeff Alm (31:23 playing time in 1987 with no starts), and rush end and fifth-year senior Frank Stams, a former fullback who had no career starts on defense. • The team finished 1987 with a three-game losing streak to Penn State (21-20), national champ Miami (24-0) and in the Cotton Bowl to Texas A&M (35-10). • Junior quarterback Tony Rice completed only 41.2 percent of his 85 passes the previous year, and two days before media day an erroneous report by local news station WSBT-TV indicated Rice would be academically ineligible. "People make mistakes and someone made a mistake about how I was doing in school this summer," Rice said. "After what's been said about me this summer, I'm just glad to be around my friends again." 25 Years Ago: Aug. 28, 1993 One week before the season opener versus Northwestern, freshman phenom quarterback Ron Powlus, the National High School Player of the Year, breaks his clavicle in the team's final preseason scrimmage. Powlus unofficially had been penciled in as the starter to succeed Rick Mirer, the NFL's No. 2 overall pick that spring. "This is probably one of the worst days of my life in football," said the ashen and crest- fallen Holtz after the scrimmage. "I've never seen anything like it — his peripheral vision, poise, quick release, throwing motion pres- ence … I never thought a freshman could come in at Notre Dame, face the caliber of competition he does, pick up an intricate offense and then execute it flawlessly. "... This isn't your average bird." In Powlus' absence, undistinguished se- nior Kevin McDougal, who had attempted only 21 passes his first three seasons, is named the starter. 5 Years Ago: Aug. 31, 2013 Coming off a 12-1 season, No. 14 Notre Dame opens the new campaign with a 28-6 victory versus Temple, with senior quarter- back Tommy Rees passing for 346 yards and three touchdowns, the first two to DaVaris Daniels in the opening 4:41 on back-to-back 32-yard scoring tosses. The third came in the second half on a 66-yard catch-and-run by tight end Troy Niklas. After the game, athletics director Jack Swarbrick announces a five-year con- tract extension for head coach Brian Kelly through the 2017 season. — Lou Somogyi Anniversaries In Notre Dame Athletics History: August Freshman phenom quarterback Ron Powlus' highly anticipated debut in 1993 was delayed after he suf- fered a broken clavicle in Notre Dame's final pre- season scrimmage. PHOTO COURTESY FIGHTING IRISH DIGITAL MEDIA BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED PO Box 2331 Durham, NC 27702 www.BlueGoldOnline.com 1-800-421-7751 DELIVERY LIMITED TO CONTINENTAL U.S. PLEASE ADD SALES TAX FOR ITEMS SHIPPING TO: (NC 7.5%, IN 7%, MI 6%) GRILL MAT $49.95 + FREE S&H Available in 2 Styles: ND or Leprechaun (Item #6622-ND or #6622-LEP) (Item #6621) CUSTOM GRILL COVERS Hand-made in the USA using the finest commercial grade vinyl. Mold-resistant, breathable vinyl with drawstring bottom. Logo printed with UV-resistant ink. AVAILABLE IN 2 SIZES & 3 LOGOS: Small: 60" wide x 36" tall x 21" deep $51.95 + $15.00 S&H Large: 72" wide x 36" tall x 21" deep $54.95 + $15.00 S&H Please allow up to 2 weeks for delivery. Grill covers are made to order and shipped direct from the manufacturer.