Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com NOV. 7, 2020 5 FAN FORUM SHORT-TERM MEMORY As a longtime Notre Dame fan, I am puzzled by the inconsistency of the offense. I remember the Lou Holtz years when no matter who we played, the offense was going to score 30-plus points a game. Tommy Rees seems to lack creativity, especially in the red zone, and is too predictable. I would like your thoughts. Worth Andrews Via the Internet Mr. Andrews, there is an adage that goes, "the older I get, the better I was." It speaks to the human nature of so often romanticiz- ing the past while criticizing the present. I am frequently guilty of that as well. In the Blue & Gold Illustrated office, we have a couple of boxes full of letters during the Lou Holtz era — saved for pos- terity — ripping his play calling and how ultra-conservative and predictable he was. In Holtz's 11 seasons at Notre Dame (1986-96) that spanned 134 games, the longest streak of "scoring 30-plus points a game" was the final seven in 1993. At no other time was the streak longer than four. In fairness, Holtz's teams played much tougher schedules than the ones today. However, here is some data: • In 1986, Notre Dame averaged 16.0 points in its six losses. • In 1987, it finished with three straight defeats while averaging 10.0 points per game. The biggest win that year, 31-8 ver- sus Rose Bowl champ Michigan State, was not really because of the offense, but two Tim Brown punt returns. • Do you realize that the 1988 national champs scored one touchdown on offense in the first two games? The offense did score 24 against No. 1 Miami (Pat Terrell also returned an interception for a TD) and 20 versus USC (Stan Smagala re- turned an interception for a touchdown). • In the No. 1 versus No. 2 showdown at Michigan in 1989, Notre Dame com- pleted one pass and totaled 219 total yards, but was saved by two Rocket Ismail kick returns. It scored three points at na- tional champ Miami (Ned Bolcar scored the lone TD on an interception return). • From 1990-92, I can't tell you how many times we heard, "Rick Mirer is so misused in Holtz's offense. What a waste!" They finished that 1990 season with zero points in the second half against Penn State in a loss, a 10-6 win at USC and a 10-9 loss to Colorado in the Orange Bowl. In 1991, they scored 14 in a loss at Michigan and 13 in a setback at Penn State, and in 1992 Mirer was 13 of 38 through the air in a 33-16 defeat to Stanford, scored 17 versus Michigan and needed 11th-hour drama to defeat a five-loss Penn State team 17-16. • During the Ron Powlus era under Holtz (1994-96), he was castigated even more for "trying to fit a square peg into a round hole." Eight times they lost while scoring 11 to 20 points, including 20-17 in overtime to Air Force. This is not to disparage Holtz, who al- ways will be a Notre Dame legend. Rather, it's to point out how perspective and con- text often gets lost with the passage of time. You might be correct about Rees, but only time will be the judge — even if the passage of time sometimes skews our thinking. BE HEARD! Send your letters to: Letters Blue & Gold Illustrated P. O. Box 1007, Notre Dame, IN 46556 or e-mail to: lsomogyi@blueandgold.com Our life plan community for those over the age of 62, provides residents with exceptional personalized services, a secure atmosphere and carefree luxury lifestyle – while making it possible to ease into further healthcare levels as needs change throughout retirement years.