Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com DECEMBER 2018 45 left tackle Casper to tight end, where he would earn first-team All-Amer- ica recognition. In 1988, Holtz moved No. 1 senior tight end Andy Heck to left tackle, where he achieved first-team All- America honors. (The move also al- lowed Parade National Player of the Year Derek Brown to start as a fresh- man at tight end.) RUN TO GLORY The 1973 backfield had extraordi- nary balance and depth. Including the bowl game, the top three rushers were fullback Wayne Bullock (831 yards), and halfbacks Art Best (745) and Eric Penick (614). The trio com- bined for 2,190 yards on the ground. The 1988 backfield was so deep, the staff moved sophomore Ricky Watters to flanker for that season. The three leaders of the ground at- tack were quarterback Tony Rice (775), and halfbacks Green (708) and Tony Brooks (703). That triumvirate amassed 2,186 rushing yards — only four yards less than the top three from 1973. HALFWAY HOME: SLAYING THE DRAGON In the sixth game of 1973, Notre Dame hosted the defending national champs (USC) who had a 23-game unbeaten streak and had not lost to the Irish in six straight meetings. In one of the most emotional games ever in Notre Dame Stadium history, the Irish triumphed 23-14 and made the ensuing week's cover of Sports Illustrated. Again in the sixth game of 1988, Notre Dame entertained the defend- ing national champs (Miami) who owned a 36-game winning streak during the regular season and had not lost to Notre Dame in six years. But in the impassioned showdown that has been voted as the greatest home victory at Notre Dame, the Irish prevailed 31-30, putting them on the next week's cover of Sports Illustrated. INCREASING THE SPEED LIMIT: PART I The 1972 defense was labeled slow, so Parseghian emphasized speed in his recruiting. Three of the first-time starters included two freshmen, end Ross Browner and safety Luther Bradley, and sophomore defensive end Jim Stock. From game one, they cracked the 1973 lineup and had an instant impact with their quickness. The 1987 defense likewise was cat- egorized as snail-paced. Holtz also started recruiting more speed and in 1988 he inserted first-time starters such as sophomore nose guard Chris Zorich, freshman outside linebacker Arnold Ale and junior safety Pat Ter- rell, who was shifted from offense. INCREASING THE SPEED LIMIT: PART II When he sighed in 1973, fresh- man running back and return man Al Hunter (9.3 speed in the 100-yard dash) was considered the fastest foot- ball player in school history. His 93- yard kickoff return for a touchdown was crucial in the one-point win over No. 1-ranked Alabama. In 1988, Notre Dame inked running back/flanker/return man Raghib "Rocket" Ismail, the swiftest player in school history. His 97 receiving yards were instrumental in the one- point win over No. 1-ranked Miami. Both Hunter and Ismail wore No. 25. QB COMPARISON: PART I After the 1973 USC game, junior quarterback Tom Clements' six-game passing stats included 71 attempts for 597 yards. After the 1988 Miami game, junior quarterback Rice's six-game passing stats revealed 71 attempts for 596 yards. QB COMPARISON: PART II In the 1973 national title game against Alabama, Clements rushed for 74 yards and completed seven passes in 12 attempts. In the 1988 national champion- ship contest with West Virginia, Rice rushed for 75 yards and completed seven passes in 11 attempts. WORKING THEIR ASHES OFF After the debacle to conclude the 1972 campaign, the title of the 1973 season in Tom Pagna's Era of Ara book was, "From the Ashes of Disas- ter." The Irish went on to finish 11-0 for the first time in school annals. After falling apart at the end of 1987, the 1988 players donned T-shirts that read "From These Ashes, Notre Dame Will Rise." That team was the first in Irish history to post a 12-0 record. Who says history doesn't repeat itself? ✦ Vintage Notre Dame Memorabilia Augie's Locker Room ND Stadium Items, Jerseys, Helmets, Autographs and One of a Kind Rockne Items. COME INTO THE STORE TO SEE OUR RARE NOTRE DAME HELMET DISPLAY, 1900 - PRESENT!! Voted Best Notre Dame Collectables in the Country! 1811 South Bend Ave. South Bend , I n 46637 574-277-NDND (6363) www.augieslockerroom.com FACEBOOK.COM/AUGIESLOCKERROOM NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL GAMES on VHS or DVD for sale, from 1928 to present. Contact Peter Rahas at 7700 Golden Filly St., Las Vegas, NV 89131 or call 1-702-395-2974 Call 877-630-8768 to advertise in BGI Prayer orders call: 800-421-7751 PERSONALS PRAYER TO THE BLESSED MOTHER - (Nev- er known to fail) Oh, most beautiful flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of Heav- en. Blessed Mother of the Son of God; Immacu- late Virgin, assist me in this necessity. Oh, Star of the Sea, help me and show me you are my Mother. Oh, Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succour me in my ne- cessity. There are none that can withstand your power. Oh, Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. (3 times). Holy Mary, I place this prayer in your hands. (3 times). Sweet Mother I place this cause in your hands. (3 times). Thank you for your mercy to me and mine. Amen. This prayer must be said for 3 days and after 3 days your request will be granted and the prayer must be published. Thank you. H.M.J. ST. JUDE NOVENA - May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved & preserved throughout the world now & forever. Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for us. St. Jude, worker of miracles, pray for us. St. Jude, help of the hope- less, pray for us. 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