Blue and Gold Illustrated

Nov. 4, 2013 Issue

Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football

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the fifth quarter lou somogyi O The Long And Short (Yardage) Of It ver the past 50 years, there are two game situations that might leave a faithful Notre Dame follower the most antsy. One is the opponent needing to make just one big play on offense when it seems all is lost for them. Think of USC on fourth-and-eight in the closing minutes of 1964, or fourth-and-nine in a similar situation in 2005. Or how about third-and-43 at Miami in 1989, Michigan's 80-yard drive in less than 30 seconds in 2011 … or a dozen or so other such dubious mo- The quarterback sneak for a score, such as this one by Tom ments. Clements versus USC in 1973, used to be a common goal-line The other is third- or staple. file photo fourth-and-short for Notre Dame — especially going into the shot- stunning sights in football: The Soongun at the opponent's 1-yard line. ers had the ball about an inch from the Exhibit A was the opening posses- KSU goal line — and then proceeded sion of this year's USC game when the to drop back into the shotgun with the Irish had third-and-goal at the 2-yard quarterback taking the snap around his line and fourth-and-goal at the 1. Two 6-yard line. straight runs into the middle left the What in the name of Vince Lombardi Irish stranded at their 4. (Later in the (quarterback Bart Starr sneaking over fourth quarter, the Irish offense "ex- guard Jerry Kramer) was up with that? tended the game" on another missed What is the purpose of having the ball third-and-one before emerging victori- inches from the goal line if the defense ous, 14-10.) perhaps gets extra time to penetrate The 2000 Big 12 championship game when you take the snap beyond the between Oklahoma and Kansas State 5-yard line? was the first time I witnessed what Oklahoma went on to win the naI believed then was one of the most

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