Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com JANUARY 2020 15 UNDER THE DOME 95 Years Ago: Jan. 1, 1925 In its first trip to the West Coast, Notre Dame clinches a consensus national title with a 27-10 victory versus head coach Glenn "Pop" Warner's Stanford Indians in the turnover-plagued Rose Bowl. Although Notre Dame's Four Horsemen and Seven Mules are outgained 316-186 in total yardage, Stanford commits a whopping eight turnovers compared to "only" four by the Fighting Irish. Three of Stanford's turnovers result in defensive touchdowns: 78- and 70-yard interception returns for scores by fullback Elmer Layden — the latter with only 30 seconds left in the contest — while lineman Ed Hunsinger returns a fumbled Stanford punt return for a 20-yard tally. Leading 20-10 in the fourth quarter, Notre Dame also makes a crucial goal-line stand when it stops All-American Ernie Nevers on fourth down with about eight inches to go for the score. Afterwards, Warner laments the three defensive scores allowed by his troops. Plus, Nevers' 114 yards were more than what the legendary Four Horsemen produced. "We spotted Notre Dame 21 points," Warner said, "while they actually earned but six." Known for his acute wit, Notre Dame halfback Jim Crowley had a response. "Yeah," Crowley said, "and next year they're going to award the American League pennant to the team that has the most men left on bases." 45 Years Ago: Jan. 1, 1975 The 11-year Notre Dame head coaching career of Ara Parseghian ends in a blaze of glory with a 13-11 upset of 11-0 and No. 1-ranked Alabama in the Orange Bowl. A year earlier, the Fighting Irish defeated another 11-0 and No. 1 Crimson Tide outfit in the Sugar Bowl to capture the national title. A similar matchup for No. 1 is arranged this time when No. 5 and 9-1 Notre Dame accepts a bid to play Alabama again before the Irish travel to face Pac-10 champ and No. 6 USC. The makings of another championship meeting are there when the Irish jump to a 24-0 first-half lead — until USC scores an astounding 55 points in 16 minutes and 54 seconds in a 55-24 victory. Parseghian, who had privately decided to resign earlier in the year, makes it official 16 days after the USC debacle, and the Irish are made 11.5-point underdogs versus Alabama. Notre Dame builds an early 13-0 lead before Alabama trims its deficit to 13-11 with 3:13 left in the contest on a 48-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-five, followed by a two-point conversion. On its final possession, the Crimson Tide drives to Notre Dame's 39-yard line with about 1:20 remaining when Irish senior cornerback Reggie Barnett picks off a pass in the flat by quarterback Richard Todd to help seal the outcome. Parseghian ends his Notre Dame career with a 95-17-4 record (.836 winning percentage), two con- sensus national titles (1966 and 1973), one shared championship (1964) and eight top-five finishes in either the Associated Press or UPI rankings. 30 Years Ago: Jan. 1, 1990 For a remarkable sixth time in eight tries since returning to the bowl scene 20 years ear- lier (1969), Notre Dame defeats an unbeaten or No. 1-ranked team — if not both — in a bowl game, this time a 21-6 triumph versus 11-0 and No. 1 Colorado in the Orange Bowl. After a scoreless first half, Notre Dame puts together consecutive touchdown drives, cul- minating first with a four-yard touchdown run by fullback Anthony Johnson, followed by a 35-yard dash by Raghib "Rocket" Ismail, who moves to tailback after an injury to Ricky Watters and rushes for 108 yards. The Buffaloes come within 14-6, but the Fighting Irish close with an 82-yard march that takes 17 plays — all runs — and milks 8:55 of the clock, concluding with a seven- yard score by Johnson with 1:32 remaining. Despite finishing 12-1, defeating seven teams in the final Associated Press top 18 and winning decisively versus No. 1 in the bowl, Notre Dame is voted No. 2 behind Miami, which won the head-to-head meeting 27-10 in November. — Lou Somogyi Anniversaries In Notre Dame Football History: January In the 1990 Orange Bowl, Raghib "Rocket" Ismail moved to tailback after an injury to Ricky Watters and rushed for 108 yards — including a 35-yard touchdown dash — to help the Fighting Irish knock off No. 1 Colorado 21-6. PHOTO COURTESY NOTRE DAME MEDIA RELATIONS ND Banners & Flags BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED PO Box 2331 • Durham, NC 27702 1-800-421-7751 Visit our online store! www.BlueGoldOnline.com BANNERS (28"x40") $19.95 + $4 S&H (Reg. $24.95 + S&H) CLEARANCE (Banners and Flags are Single-Sided Display poles not included) Please add sales tax if shipping to: IN (7%), MI (6%), and NC (7.5%) "ND Irish" Banner (Item #6138) "Mickey" Banner (Item #6135) MICKEY MOUSE GARDEN FLAG (Item #6136) $10.95 + $2.00 S&H (Reg. $14.95 + S&H) LIFE IS GOOD BANNERS "Irish Football" (Item #6143) "Not All Who Wander Are Lost" (Item #6139)