Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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BLUEGOLDONLINE.COM NOV. 16, 2024 51 "Eddie Luther, Notre Dame cheer- leader, introduced the Nebraska coach and players amid a greeting of the wild- est cheering that ever resounded in the Notre Dame gymnasium." Nebraska Coach Dawson was greeted with a full three minutes of din and noise that brought forth unstinted praise for the Notre Dame team and its enviable re- cord. A spirit of sportsmanship and re- spect permeated the scene. But when the whistle blew Saturday, the battle was as fierce as ever. Rockne started his Shock Troops as usual, and Nebraska pinned the Irish deep in their own territory. A botched punt left the ball at Notre Dame's 5-yard line, and the Huskers bulled their way to a 6-0 lead. A Nebraska punt opened the second quarter. Notre Dame started from its 46, and Crowley got loose on an end run for 21 yards to the Husker 33. Minutes later, Crowley gathered in a Stuhldreher pass and raced 25 yards to the Nebraska 3-yard-line. Crowley and Layden got the ball to the one-foot mark, and Stuhldre- her followed a solid wall of blockers into the end zone for a touchdown. Crowley's kick made it 7-6 Irish. Fans of the Blue and Gold cheered crazily — for the first time since 1921, the Irish led Nebraska. The Notre Dame defense was hold- ing the Huskers, and the offense started moving again. Crowley passed to Stuhl- dreher for 13 yards and a first down. Miller smashed off tackle for 15 yards to the 25. Layden made eight yards on a crossbuck. Crowley blasted for six more. The Huskers called time to try to regroup but to no avail. From the 10, Don Miller got the ball, slid off tackle and dodged Nebraska tacklers for a touchdown. Crowley converted for a 14-6 lead. The Irish never looked back. On an af- ternoon when all four of the Horsemen scored touchdowns — including a pair by Don Miller — the game was never seriously in doubt. Two years of pent-up frustration were being loosed upon the outgunned Huskers. The "wonder team" was at its best and was virtually unstoppable. Final score: Notre Dame 34, Nebraska 6. Tired. Relieved. Vindicated. The greatest team in Irish history trotted happily to their dressing room. There, an eerie silence prevailed. "When the fellows entered the dress- ing room," one of the star backs ex- plained, "they couldn't talk. They were so happy over the victory." Notre Dame fans went about the cam- pus and city in splendid celebration. The Nebraska jinx had been vanquished. ✦ For more informa on, please visit: www.RockneSociety.org Throughout 2024, the Knute Rockne Memorial Society will remember and celebrate the centennial of the 1924 Notre Dame na onal champions, featuring Coach Rockne, The Four Horsemen and The Seven Mules. Watch for updates! Jim Lefebvre is an award-winning Notre Dame author and leads the Knute Rockne Memorial Society. He can be reached at: jim@ndfootballhistory.com The 34-6 vanquishing of Nebraska led some to proclaim Notre Dame the best team of 1924. IMAGE COURTESY KNUTE ROCKNE MEMORIAL SOCIETY