Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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UNDER THE DOME 35 Years Ago: Nov. 24, 1979 For the first time in its history, Notre Dame plays a football game on foreign soil, defeating the Miami Hur- ricanes 40-15 in front of an audience of 62,574 in Tokyo's National Olympic Stadium. The victory in a quagmire snaps a two-game losing for the Fighting Irish, and they finish 7-4 — their first sea- son with at least four losses in 16 years. The trip over- seas also serves as a form of a bowl game because the Irish are not invited to any postseason outings, nor in- clined to go. Miami quickly falls behind 14-0 when Notre Dame run- ning back Vagas Ferguson scores on the opening pos- session, and then the Irish defense follows with corner- back Dave Waymer inter- cepting a pass by freshman quarterback Jim Kelly that he returns three yards for a touchdown. Ferguson carries 35 times for 177 yards and three touchdowns to cap a record-breaking season that sees him tote the ball 301 times for 1,437 yards and 17 touchdowns — all single-season records to this day. Waymer ties an Irish single-game record when he returns a second interception for another touchdown, this one from 37 yards out by reserve quarterback Mike Rodrigue in the fourth quarter to up the lead to 40-7. Sophomore linebacker Bob Crable finishes the year with 187 tackles — a school record that also still stands. In addition he blocks a punt in this game for a safety. The Irish produce only 250 yards total offense, but Waymer's two interception returns and 46- and 43-yard punt returns by freshman Dave Duerson set up short fields on two touchdown drives. First-year head coach Howard Schnellenberger's Hurricanes, who upset Penn State earlier in the season, finish 5-6. 30 Years Ago: Nov. 24, 1984 For the first time in 18 years, Notre Dame defeats USC (19-7) in the Los Angeles Coliseum to cap an amazing turnaround to the season. From a 3-4 start in which they were booed off their home field three consecutive weeks in losses, the Fight- ing Irish rebound with four straight victories to finish 7-4 and receive an invitation to play SMU in the Aloha Bowl. The triumphs include 30-22 at No. 6 LSU, the SEC champion; a 44-7 shellacking of Penn State, which Anniversaries In Notre Dame Athletics History: Nov. 18-24 In 1979, head coach Dan Devine and team captains Tim Foley (73), Dave Waymer (34) and Vagas Ferguson (32) celebrated a 40-15 win over Miami in Japan. PHOTO COURTESY NOTRE DAME MEDIA RELATIONS