Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com SEPT. 19, 2020 13 UNDER THE DOME 45 Years Ago: Sept. 15-20, 1975 Under first-year head coach Dan Devine, Notre Dame achieves one of the most underrated feats in program history. On a Monday night nationally televised opener on ABC, it wins 17-3 versus Boston College in the NFL's Schaefer Stadium — and then five days later the team travels to Purdue, which had won at Notre Dame a year earlier, and emerges with a 17-0 triumph. The team had to cancel Tuesday's practice because it arrived back late, had a walk-through on Wednesday and reportedly did not put on any pads. Quarterback Rick Slager and Devine were put on the cover of Sports Illustrated the next week with the headline "Devine Week For Irish." At Boston College, freshman fullback Jim Browner receives a game ball with 95 yards on 24 rushing attempts and a nine-yard touchdown that put the Fighting Irish up for good, 10-3, in the second half. Older brother Ross Browner is named ABC's Defensive Player of the Game. Midway through the fourth quarter at Purdue, the Boilermakers drive to Notre Dame's 3-yard line while trailing 3-0 — but a trick halfback pass is sniffed out by cornerback Luther Bradley, who picks it off and races for a 99-yard touchdown the other way. 40 Years Ago: Sept. 20, 1980 Trailing 27-26, junior Harry Oliver converts maybe the most famous field goal in Notre Dame history, a 51-yard boot as time expires to give the No. 8 Irish a triumph against eventual Big Ten and Rose Bowl champion Michigan. It was only the second field goal attempt ever for Oliver, who was not the kickoff man because of other stronger legs on the team. "It crossed my mind that I can't make this," Oliver said years later before passing away from cancer in 2007 at age 47. "But there re- ally wasn't time to think. Everything happened so fast." With a good snap from Bill Siewe and fellow Moeller graduate Tim Koegel holding on the placekick, Oliver also benefited from a died- down wind and some rules back then. "We were allowed to use tees back then and I had a two-inch kicking block," he said. "I couldn't see myself making one from that distance with the ball on the ground — and the goal posts now have been narrowed to NFL size." The ball barely sailed over the crossbar, setting off epic pandemonium as even fans ran onto the field to celebrate. "After it went through, everybody piled on and I was at the bottom," Oliver said. "It was a little scary with all those big bodies, but it would have been a good way to die, I guess." 30 Years Ago: Sept. 15, 1990 Sophomore quarterback Rick Mirer, making his first career start, helps rally the No. 1-ranked Irish from a 24-14 fourth-quarter deficit to a 28-24 triumph versus No. 4 Michigan. With 1:40 remaining, Mirer fires an 18-yard touchdown pass to Adrian Jarrell, and Notre Dame cor- nerback Reggie Brooks intercepts an Elvis Grbac pass on the next series. Mirer makes Sports Illustrated's cover with the headline "Golden Boy." 20 Years Ago: Sept. 16, 2000 Nicholas Setta becomes the first Irish kicker in 20 years — since Oliver in 1980 — to boot a game- winning field goal in Notre Dame Stadium as time expires to defeat Purdue 23-21. Just like with Michi- gan 20 years earlier, Purdue would go on to win the Big Ten with quarterback Drew Brees at the helm. The field goal is set up after a 59-yard march by quarterback Gary Godsey. The former tight end is called upon to replace Arnaz Battle, who suffered a season-ending wrist injury the week prior in an overtime loss to No. 1 Nebraska. With Notre Dame faithful donning T-shirts that read "In Godsey We Trust," the sophomore completes 14 of 25 passes for 158 yards with one interception, and also runs for a nine-yard score off a draw. — Lou Somogyi Anniversaries In Notre Dame Football History: Sept. 14-20 Harry Oliver drilled a 51-yard field goal as time expired to give Notre Dame a 29-27 victory ver- sus eventual Big Ten and Rose Bowl champion Michigan in 1980. PHOTO COURTESY NOTRE DAME ATHLETICS YOU DON'T WAIT FOR MAIL DELIVERY! HAVE TO The digital edition of Blue & Gold Illustrated is available Sundays at BlueGoldOnline.com The Blue & Gold Illustrated digital edition includes all the great content you find in your print edition, plus: ✦ Searchable archive ✦ Downloadable PDFs ✦ Available on computers and tablets Visit BlueGoldOnline.com for the latest issue every Sunday! It's already part of your subscription! PLUS: The Blue Gold Report Midweek Update! • Emailed Every Pre-Game Wednesday • Depth Charts And Rosters For Both Teams • Updated Statistics • Columns and Much More! • Can be viewed on your computer, phone or tablet, or printed out to read later. To receive notifications, please send your email address to: newsletter@blueandgold.com. Customer Service: 1-800-421-7751