Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com PRESEASON 2018 21 UNDER THE DOME 25 Years Ago: Sept. 4, 1993 The quickest Notre Dame touchdown ever to open a season is tallied during a hard-fought 27-12 victory versus Northwestern. On the first play from scrimmage, a Wildcats pass attempt by quarterback Len Williams bounces off tight end Luther Morris' hands and senior linebacker Pete Bercich snares it for a 21-yard pick-six at the 14:52 mark. Northwestern then builds a 12-7 lead early in the third quarter after Notre Dame has its own snafu on the first play of the second half. Irish senior quarterback Kevin McDougal, in his first career start, loses a fumble on the snap. McDougal bounces back to lead four scoring drives — highlighted by 50- and 42-yard completions to Mike Miller and Derrick Mayes, respectively. Because the victory is deemed as one lacking in "style points," Notre Dame falls from No. 7 to No. 11 in the Associated Press poll. 20 Years Ago: Sept. 5, 1998 For the fourth time ever, Notre Dame be- gins a new season by defeating a top-five foe — No. 5 Michigan, the defending AP national champ. The 36-20 victory also marked the first time in those four contests the Fighting Irish were ranked lower (No. 21). The conquest is an immense relief for be- sieged second-year head coach Bob Davie, who not only debuted with a disappointing 7-6 campaign the year prior, but then saw the university lose an age discrimination suit during the summer to 1988-96 Fighting Irish offensive line coach Joe Moore, who was not retained by Davie during the head coaching transition. With junior and first-time starter Tom Brady at the throttle most of the game, Michigan amasses 472 yards of total offense but also misses four field goals and loses two fumbles, while the Irish have zero turnovers. First-time Notre Dame starting quarter- back Jarious Jackson tosses four- and 35- yard scoring tosses to tight end Dan O'Leary and wideout Raki Nelson in a span of 2:38 in the quarter to erase a 13-9 deficit and take a 23-13 lead that would balloon to 36-13. Senior running back Autry Denson adds 162 rushing yards and two touchdowns, highlighted by a career-high 58-jaunt on the first Irish play from scrimmage. 15 Years Ago: Sept. 6, 2003 Senior Nicholas Setta converts a 40-yard field goal in overtime for No. 19 Notre Dame's second-ever victory in an extra session, 29-26 versus Washington State. Second-year head coach Tyrone Willingham's Fighting Irish trail 19-3 at halftime and 19-6 at the start of the fourth quarter before knotting the game at 26 by the end of regulation play. Through the first three quarters, Notre Dame's future NFL 1,000-yard rushers Ryan Grant and Julius Jones combine for 14 carries that gain 32 yards. In the fourth quarter, their 14 carries total 138 yards, with Grant finishing with 17 attempts for 98 yards and Jones 11 attempts for 72. 10 Years Ago: Sept. 6, 2008 Receiver Michael Floyd joins the select company of Raghib "Rocket" Ismail and Derek Brown in 1988 and Derrick Mayes in 1992 when his first catch as a freshman results in a touchdown. The 22-yard score helps knot the game at 7-7 against a San Diego State team that lost the previous week to Cal Poly and would finish 2-10. The Aztecs had the ball at the Notre Dame 5-yard line with a 13-7 lead and 11:55 left in the contest. A forced fumble and recovery by safety David Bruton begins an Irish rally to a 21-13 win on 38- and six-yard touchdown passes from Jimmy Clausen to Golden Tate and David Grimes, respectively. — Lou Somogyi Anniversaries In Notre Dame Football History: Sept. 1‑7 Quarterback Jarious Jackson outdueled Tom Brady to lead No. 21 Notre Dame to a 36‑20 victory over No. 5 Michigan to open the 1998 season. PHOTO COURTESY FIGHTING IRISH DIGITAL MEDIA