Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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6 SEPT. 27, 2025 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED LESS CHEERLEADING, MORE HONESTY The subscribers to Blue & Gold Illus- trated were led down a primrose path from spring to fall regarding some notable areas of our team. All of which became apparent during the Miami embarrassment. Constantly over-hyping a supposedly No. 1 college offensive line which was pushed all over the field. A totally clue- less secondary. The much-praised coach- ing staff that came up with an offensive scheme that failed and was as usual way too slow to make any adjustments until the second half after putting the team be- hind and disorganized the entire first half. The national championship game showed the same tendencies, perhaps the head coach could get more hands- on with the offense and defense during the game. Because the OC and DC were failing miserably maybe someone has to step in to stop a collapse taking place. Actually the coaching staff owes an apology to the players and the fans of Notre Dame. A little less cheerleading and more honest analysis by Blue & Gold would lessen any unrealistic expecta- tions by us. Thank you. GO IRISH!!! Peter Principe Scituate, Mass. TROPHY CASE Since Notre Dame and Clemson have signed an agreement to play an ex- tended yearly home-and-home series, has there been any thought to create a trophy for the winning team (Irish!!) to hold (a la those for the USC, Navy, et. al.) and rejoice over? Theodore Kuhlmeier San Antonio Theodore, there is currently no es- tablished trophy for the rivalry between the Fighting Irish and Tigers. But maybe there should be now that the two schools will be squaring off for 12 straight years (2027-38). After all the Irish have tro- phies for their rivalries with Southern Cal (Jeweled Shillelagh), Michigan State (Megaphone), Stanford (Legends), Bos- ton College (Leahy Memorial), Navy (Rip Miller) and Purdue (Shillelagh). If you or any other BGI readers have any ideas for a Notre Dame-Clemson trophy, we'd love to hear them. FAN FORUM BE HEARD! Send your letters to: steve.downey@on3.com or mail to: Blue & Gold Illustrated, P. O. Box 2331, Durham, NC 27702 Notre Dame has had its fair share of gut-wrenching losses over the years, with the most re- cent being the 41-40 setback to Texas A&M Sept. 13. The Irish had taken the lead with 2:53 to go but botched the point-after try, which turned out to be the final margin of defeat when the Aggies scored a touchdown and converted the ensuing extra point with 13 sec- onds remaining in the contest. After that devastating loss, a poster on The Lou Somogyi Board at BlueandGold.com posed the question, "What are the most gut- wrenching Notre Dame losses?" Irish fans proved to not be a pris- oner of the moment, with just 6 percent of the vote, among seven options, going to this year's devas- tating loss to the Aggies. Here are the full results of the poll, as of six days after the game, followed by some thoughts from Irish in the ensuing thread: Game Percentage of Votes Boston College 41, Notre Dame 39 in 1993 49.7% Southern Cal 34, Notre Dame 31 in 2005 23.2% Ohio State 17, Notre Dame 14 in 2023 10.6% Texas A&M 41, Notre Dame 40 in 2025 6.0% Colorado 10, Notre Dame 9 in 1990* 4.6% Michigan 35, Notre Dame 31 in 2011 4.0% Florida State 31, Notre Dame 27 in 2014 1.3% * Orange Bowl on Jan. 1, 1991 Irishcehf3: I have seen ND lose football games in every way possible. From epic meltdowns and blowouts to losing on the last play. When you strip everything else away, the games that I felt the officials cost ND a win are the most brutal. The phantom clip call in the Orange Bowl on the Rocket's punt return in 1990 (technically Jan. 1, 1991). The " Bush Push" no call in 2005 against USC. The fake field goal touchdown after the play clock expired against Michigan State in 2010. The illegal pick play call against ND in the 2014 Florida State game (still to this day I have never seen that called again). And now the swal- low the whistle missed hold call against Texas A&M in 2025. My dad told me once many years ago that Notre Dame can never leave any game up to the officials, as most likely it will go against ND. I am not a conspiracy guy, but these games make you wonder. I know yesterday's game should not have come down to that if ND plays better, but still it's as obvious of a call you can have in football. Edd1066: Nothing will top the BC loss in '93 for gut wrenching, at least I hope not. SpaddyND: To me a gut-wrenching loss is losing to a team you shouldn't lose to, or blowing a huge lead or losing a close game at home to a top-10 team, or a loss that will cost you a national title. Texas A&M wouldn't even be in my top 20. 1. 1993 Boston College 6. 1991 Tennessee 2. 1990 Penn State 7. 2011 Michigan 3. 1990 Stanford 8. 2023 OSU 4. 2016 NIU 9. 1986 Michigan 5. 2005 USC 10. 1989 Miami Java65: The BC loss still haunts me. bocjr34: Good list. I was at the '90 Stanford debacle and that is #2 on my list, bc I think the '90 team was as good as any team in the country that year, evidenced by beating an excellent Miami team. Respectfully, if you are over 45 years old, the only correct answer for worst loss is '93 BC. ND earned and deserved the national title that year. '89 Miami is #3 for me bc ND was better in '89 than they were in '88, and that ***damn 3rd-and-43. Miami defense that night was impenetrable though, as they played as if in a street fight for their lives. Still, it was 10-10 at half and if they stop them on 3rd-and-43. FROM THE WEB .com .com JOIN THE CONVERSATION AT BLUEANDGOLD.COM! Sign up for just $1 for the first seven days! The 41-39 loss at home to Boston College on a field goal as time expired was an all-time gut punch for Notre Dame fans. FILE PHOTO