Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/373357
GAME PREVIEW: MICHIGAN downhill the rest of the season, includ‑ ing freshman Shane Morris receiving the starting nod over an injured Gard‑ ner in the bowl game. Gardner returns and the Notre Dame defense, particularly the front seven, is classified on paper as weaker than at any time in 2010‑13. Another Heisman‑like performance from a Wolverine QB would once again not bode well. A PERFECT NIGHT When Michigan has played in Notre Dame Stadium during the day it is an impressive 6‑5‑1, dating back to 1942. But when the Wolverines have played the Fighting Irish under the lights in Notre Dame Stadium, they are 0‑4. • In the first night game ever at home on Sept. 18, 1982, Notre Dame avenged a 25‑7 defeat at Michigan the year prior with a 23‑17 conquest to begin head coach Gerry Faust's second season on an optimistic note. • On Sept. 10, 1988, Notre Dame's 5‑5 senior walk‑on kicker Reggie Ho converted all four of his field goal at‑ tempts, the last from 26 yards with 1:13 remaining to propel a 19‑17 vic‑ tory over that season's Big Ten and Rose Bowl champions. It took a missed 49‑yard field goal attempt by Mich‑ igan Mike Gillette on the final play before anyone at eventual national champion Notre Dame could breathe a sigh of relief. • On Sept. 15, 1990, sophomore quarterback Rick Mirer in his starting debut found classmate Adrian Jarrell for an 18‑yard touchdown with 1:18 remaining in the contest to give Notre Dame a 28‑24 advantage. Notre Dame hung on to win after entering the fourth quarter trailing by 10 points. • The latter was the last Notre Dame home game at night until 22 years later, also versus Michigan on Sept. 22, 2012, a hard‑fought 13‑6 win in which reserve Irish quarterback Tommy Rees scored the lone touch‑ down. The average margin of victory in the four night wins was 4.75 points, none was by more than seven points, and each outcome was still in doubt head‑ ing into the final possession. Notre Dame eked it out each time to make it a perfect 4‑0 at night and at home versus Michigan. Ending it at 5‑0 would be even more ideal. ✦ Quarterback Tommy Rees came off the bench and scored on a two‑yard run to lead the Irish to a 13‑6 triumph over the Wolverines in 2012, a victory that gave Notre Dame a 4‑0 record in home night games against Michigan. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA