Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/377020
UNDER THE DOME 40 Years Ago: Sept. 9, 1974: Notre Dame's defense of its national title begins with college football's first regular-season Monday night primetime game, a 31-7 victory at Georgia Tech with first-year head coach F.C. "Pepper" Rodgers. ABC-TV pays Notre Dame $2.5 million — an amazing windfall considering no bowl game even had a $1 million payout back then — to have the game moved from Nov. 9 to Sept. 9. The Irish weren't supposed to open until Sept. 21, which is why months earlier Notre Dame head coach Ara Parseghian's daughter, Karan, scheduled her wedding to take place Sept. 7. In an emotional moment two days before the opener, Parseghian walks Karan, afflicted with multiple sclerosis, down the church aisle. On game night, Georgia Tech drives 68 yards for a touchdown after the opening kickoff, but is held in check thereafter, including a goal-line stand right before halftime, led by linebacker/captain Greg Collins. Irish senior quarterback and Heisman Trophy candidate Tom Clements completes 10 of 14 passes for 170 yards, and adds 47 yards rushing. Fullback Wayne "The Train" Bullock paces the 271-yard rushing attack with 71 yards and two scores, and split end Pete Demmerle's six catches net 94 yards and a touchdown. The dominant road victory elevates Notre Dame from No. 2 to No. 1 in the Associated Press poll. 35 Years Ago: Sept. 15, 1979 In a defensive slugfest, No. 9 Notre Dame upsets No. 6 Michigan 12-10 in Ann Arbor. Anniversaries In Notre Dame Athletics History: Sept. 9-15