Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com JAN. 1, 2021 15 UNDER THE DOME 50 Years Ago: Jan. 1, 1971 One year after losing an 11th-hour heartbreaker 21-17 to No. 1 and national champ Texas in the Cotton Bowl, No. 6-ranked Notre Dame upsets the top-ranked Longhorns 24-11 to end their 30-game winning streak. Notre Dame head coach Ara Parseghian designs the "Mirror Defense" to combat a vaunted triple- option wishbone attack that was averaging 41.2 points and 374.5 yards rushing per game. On Texas' first play from scrimmage, quarterback Eddie Phillips rambles 63 yards to set up a field goal and a 3-0 lead. Thereafter, the "Mirror" cracks Texas, holding it to 153 yards on 54 carries — and forcing nine fumbles, five of which Notre Dame recovers (one on a muffed kickoff to set up the second Irish touchdown). On offense, quarterback Joe Theismann, playing in his final college game, leads three touchdown drives in four series for a 21-3 lead, finding Thom Gatewood on a 26-yard touchdown (Gatewood would pull his hamstring on the play and not play thereafter) and scoring on three- and 15-yard runs. All the scoring comes in the first half. Later that afternoon in the Rose Bowl, 8-3 Stanford shocks No. 2 and unbeaten Ohio State — thereby opening the door for Notre Dame to reach No. 1 if No. 3 Nebraska (10-0-1) loses to LSU in the Orange Bowl. LSU leads 12-10 before a fourth-quarter touchdown march by the Cornhuskers produces a 17-12 vic- tory. Just in case there is sentiment that Notre Dame deserves the top ranking, Nebraska head coach Bob Devaney comments, "Not even the Pope could vote for Notre Dame." Indeed, Nebraska receives 39 of the 52 first-place ballots, with the Irish finishing No. 2 with eight. Texas still gets three, while 11-0 Arizona State is given the other two. 40 Years Ago: Dec. 27, 1980 The No. 8-ranked Notre Dame basketball team ends a five-year losing streak at Louis- ville's Freedom Hall in their "neutral court" rivalry versus No. 2 Kentucky — which also is ranked No. 1 by the UPI coaches poll — with a 67-61 triumph. The senior triumvirate of Kelly Tripucka (30 points, with 14 of 15 from the foul line), Or- lando Woolridge (15 points, nine rebounds) and Tracy Jackson (14 points on 6-of-6 shoot- ing from the field) tally 59 of the 67 points. All three would be among the first 25 players selected in the following spring's NBA Draft. In a span of 12 months from February 1980 through February 1981, Notre Dame would first defeat No. 1 and 25-0 DePaul, topple eventual national champ Indiana in December, capture this outing at Kentucky and vanquish No. 1 and 23-0 Virginia two months later. 10 Years Ago: Dec. 31, 2010 Head coach Brian Kelly's debut season ends with a four-game winning streak and an 8-5 record after defeating Miami 33-17 in the Sun Bowl. The matchup is sold out in 21 hours and the audience of 54,021 in El Paso, Texas, sets an attendance record in the 77-year history of the event — despite unseasonably cold temperatures (34 degrees) and snow at kickoff, which seems to psychologically affect the Hurricanes more. The Fighting Irish jump to a 27-0 first-half lead, first on two first-quarter touchdown passes of three- and 34 yards from freshman quarterback Tommy Rees to star wide receiver Michael Floyd, who would be named the game's MVP with his six receptions for 109 yards and two scores. A third touchdown on the first four possessions comes on a 34-yard Cierre Wood run. During the second quarter, Notre Dame safety Harrison Smith intercepts three passes in a span of 5:15, and kicker David Ruffer extends his school record of consecutive field goals converted to 23 before finally missing on his final attempt of the year. Rees finishes 15 of 29 for 201 yards while the offense nets a season-high 196 yards rushing with Wood and Robert Hughes totaling 81 yards apiece. — Lou Somogyi Anniversaries In Notre Dame Athletics History: Dec. 21-Jan. 1 As a senior, Kelly Tripucka scored 30 points to lead No. 8 Notre Dame to a 67-61 win over No. 2 Kentucky on Dec. 27, 1980, breaking a five-year losing streak against the Wildcats. PHOTO COURTESY NOTRE DAME ATHLETICS BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED PO Box 2331 Durham, NC 27702 www.BlueGoldOnline.com 1-800-421-7751 DELIVERY LIMITED TO CONTINENTAL U.S. PLEASE ADD SALES TAX FOR ITEMS SHIPPING TO: (NC 7.5%, IN 7%, MI 6%) Made to order & shipped direct from manufacturer, returns not related to damage may incur fee. GRILL MAT $49.95 + FREE S&H Available in 2 Styles: ND or Leprechaun (Item #6622-ND or #6622-LEP) (Item #6621) CUSTOM GRILL COVERS Hand-made in USA using the finest com- mercial grade breathable vinyl featuring double-stitching, buckle clasps and mois- ture vent. Logo printed with UV-resistant ink in official school colors. AVAILABLE IN 2 SIZES & 3 LOGOS: Small: 60" wide x 36" tall x 21" deep $51.95 + $15.00 S&H Large: 72" wide x 36" tall x 21" deep $54.95 + $15.00 S&H Please allow up to 2 weeks for delivery.