Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/181992
Under the Dome Anniversaries In Notre Dame Football History: Oct. 1-7 55 Years Ago: Oct. 4, 1958 For the third straight season, head coach Terry Brennan's No. 7-ranked Notre Dame team plays in Dallas' Cotton Bowl versus the No. 17 SMU Mustangs, headlined by quarterback "Dandy" Don Meredith. Led by fullback Nick Pietrosante's 94 yards on 18 rushing attempts and sophomore Bill "Red" Mack's 41-yard scoring scamper, the Irish take a 7-6 lead into the fourth quarter before sealing the 14-6 outcome on a one-yard scoring run by quarterback Bob Williams. It would be Notre Dame's last trip to Texas until 11 years later — when it would return to the Cotton Bowl after ending its 45-year bowl ban. 30 Years Ago: Oct. 1, 1983 Picked No. 1 in the preseason by The Sporting News, the 1-2 Fighting Irish have freshman quarterback Steve Beuerlein make his first career start, in place of senior Blair Kiel, versus the reeling Colorado Buffaloes under second-year head coach Bill McCartney. Beuerlein becomes the third freshman quarterback starter in school history, joining Ralph Guglielmi (eligible in 1951 because of the Korean War) and Kiel in 1980. He completes 8 of 12 passes for 133 yards in the 27-3 victory on the road while the Irish rush for 354 yards, led by tailback Allen Pinkett's 132 and fullback Chris Smith's 70. McCartney's staff includes seven assistants who would become major college head coaches, including Gary Barnett, former Notre Dame All-American Gerry DiNardo and current LSU boss Les Miles.