Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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the fifth quarter lou somogyi W Bowl Result A Gauge Of Present, Not Future hen Notre Dame rescinded its nonbowl policy in 1969, the objective was two-fold: Either compete for the national title or enhance its standing by playing a higher-ranked foe. Indeed, in six of the nine bowls Notre Dame played from 1969-80, the foe was either unbeaten, No. 1 or both. In seven more bowls from 1988-94, the combined record of the Irish bowl foes was an astounding 74-4-1 — and not one had more than one defeat. Many expected Andrew Hendrix (above) to assume the starting quarJust as remarkable was the terback position after he and Tommy Rees split the duties in the 2011 Irish's record of 5-2 against Champs Sports Bowl, but Everett Golson ended up leading the 2012 them. squad. photo by Greg oyster Times change and evolve, including how bowl games are In 2014, a No. 5 ranking won't even get approached now as opposed to days of the Irish into the new four-team playoff. yore. Even 20 years ago, a 6-4-1, unranked Back in 1969, there were 11 bowl Notre Dame team would get matched games, and it was deemed a special up (to its detriment) with 10-1 and honor to be invited to one. Today there No. 4-ranked Colorado in the 1995 Fiare 36 postseason games, and it's more esta Bowl. Today, a more deserving 8-4 of an embarrassment if you don't qual- Irish crew has to scramble just to get ify for one. an invite to the Pinstripe Bowl against Back then, No. 9-, No. 6- and 6-6 Rutgers. More often than not the No. 5-ranked Notre Dame teams were past 20 years, Notre Dame was overinvited to play top-ranked Texas in the matched in bowls. This time it's "unCotton Bowl, with the latter yielding a dermatched." national title and another close to one. Of the 32 bowls Notre Dame has at-