Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/167574
Under the Dome Anniversaries In Notre Dame Football History: Sept. 10-16 30 Years Ago: Sept. 10, 1983 Despite finishing unranked each of the two previous seasons under head coach Gerry Faust, Notre Dame is No. 5 in the preseason Associated Press poll — and No. 1 according to The Sporting News. The Fighting Irish live up to that billing in 95-degree heat with a 52-6 season-opening victory at Purdue. It is the most points ever scored in Ross-Ade Stadium by an opponent of the Boilermakers. Senior quarterback Blair Kiel completes 9 of 14 passes for 166 yards while throwing touchdown passes to running back Greg Bell and tight end Mark Bavaro en route to a 31-0 halftime lead. Bell finishes with four touchdowns, while sophomore Allen Pinkett nets 115 yards rushing and freshman Hiawatha Francisco gains 81 yards on just nine carries. 25 Years Ago: Sept. 10, 1988 Special teams score all of No. 13 Notre Dame's points in a thrilling 19-17 victory versus No. 9 Michigan. Sophomore Ricky Watters returns a first quarter punt for an 81-yard score and 5-5, 135-pound senior walk-on kicker Reggie Ho converts on all four of his field goal attempts, the last from 26 yards with 1:13 remaining. The Irish prevail when Michigan kicker Mike Gillette misses on a 48-yard field goal attempt on the final play. Junior quarterback Tony Rice completes only 3 of 12 passes for 40 yards with an interception, but on the 71-yard game-winning drive he keeps for a 21-yard gain, hits running back Tony Brooks in stride for 18 yards and picks up four yards on third-and-four to keep the chains moving. The young defense limits the Wolverines to 213 yards total offense. Sophomore linemen Chris Zorich