Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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BLUEGOLDONLINE.COM AUGUST 2024 15 35 Years Ago: Aug. 9, 1989 This media day for the reigning national cham- pion Notre Dame Fighting Irish became known as "Black Wednesday." Head coach Lou Holtz announced that three stars from 1988 were suspended by the univer- sity and would not be permitted to play. All-America linebacker Michael Stonebreaker and top returning running back Tony Brooks were both suspended by Office of Student Af- fairs for separate vehicular accidents in the off- season that involved law infractions. Meanwhile, starting defensive linemen George "Boo" Wil- liams was declared academically ineligible. A fourth player, fullback Braxston Banks, had his football career ended because of chronic knee problems. "The university has done so many great things, and all you have to do is look at the product and look at how many successful people it has turned out," a diplomatic Holtz said while ad- dressing the personnel setbacks. "Do I have re- morse? I have tremendous remorse. Do I feel down? Do I feel depressed? I feel tremendously depressed. "Am I bitter at the university? No. … You won- der many times if the punishment fits the crime, but nobody can make those decisions unless they have all the facts. I don't have all the facts and the public doesn't have all the facts." Led by quarterback Tony Rice, flanker Raghib "Rocket" Ismail and running back Ricky Watters on offense, and nose guard Chris Zorich, line- backer Ned Bolcar and cornerback Todd Lyght on defense, the Fighting Irish still remained a favorite to stay atop the polls. Later that same month, at the Kickoff Classic Aug. 31, No. 2 Notre Dame roared to a 33-0 half- time lead versus Virginia before putting it in cruise control in the second half of a 36-13 victory. 25 Years Ago: Aug. 28, 1999 In the earliest opener for Notre Dame, head coach Bob Davie's Fighting Irish romped to a 48- 13 victory versus Kansas while hosting the Eddie Robinson Classic. Running back Tony Fisher carried 11 times for 113 yards and 2 touchdowns, cornerback Deveron Harper and linebacker Anthony Den- man both tallied defensive scores, and reserve quarterback Arnaz Battle capped the contest with a 74-yard touchdown jaunt. The popular pre-game theme centered on how Notre Dame third-year coaches in '66 (Ara Par- seghian), '77 (Dan Devine) and '88 (Lou Holtz) won national titles — and now it was third-year coach Davie's turn in '99. 20 Years Ago: Aug. 9, 2004 Third-year head coach Tyrone Willingham downplayed any talk of him being on the hot seat after coming off a 5-7 record that included blowout losses to Michigan (38-0), USC (45-14), Florida State (37-0) and the finale against 5-6 Syracuse (38-12). "Yes, we got beat," Willingham responded. "Yes, some of the scores were sizable. But unless we are wrong, it is truly only one loss. … Fans are very quick to praise or perish. "Coaches kind of see the long haul and see things as they really are. I see great opportunity for our football team." 15 Years Ago: Aug. 7, 2009 Just like Willingham five years earlier, fifth- year head coach Charlie Weis on media day was asked if he is concerned about his job status after producing a 10-15 record the previous two campaigns. "This isn't about me. This is about us," Weis said. "This is about one group of guys, coaches and players that have very similar expectations. But it doesn't do much good for me to say them anymore. Until we start showing we can back 'em up, it's just hot air. "But it's time for our product to back that up. That's what we intend to do. But let's not talk about it; let's go do something about it." UNDER THE DOME Anniversaries In Notre Dame Football History: August DID YOU KNOW... ✦Your home address will be automatically changed to the mailing address on file with the US Postal Service? ALL addresses are cross-referenced with the USPS National Change of Address database. ✦ It can take up to 7 days for the USPS to update your address in their database? To prevent missed issues, please notify the US Postal Service ASAP. ✦ Your postal forwarding order expires in 60 days or less? Most forwarding requests expire in 60 days and DO NOT always include peri- odical mail. Issues are discarded at their discretion. ✦ You should call your local post office to verify your delivery address? Don't assume the post office knows your vacation or moving schedule. AVOID COSTLY DELAYS & REPLACEMENTS! Blue & Gold Illustrated Customer Service: 1–800–421–7751 We are happy to assist, but due to privacy laws all postal address changes must be completed by you. In August 1989, it was announced that three of Notre Dame's top returning players — including All-America linebacker Michael Stonebreaker (above) — would not be with the program that season. FILE PHOTO