Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/421584
UNDER THE DOME 85 Years Ago: Nov. 30, 1929 Notre Dame head coach Knute Rockne, battling life-threatening phlebitis throughout the season, cap- tures his second consensus national title with a 7-0 victory versus Army in frigid conditions at Yankee Stadium. The capacity crowd of 79,408 witnesses what Blue & Gold Illustrated selected as the No. 5 most timeless play in Notre Dame football history. During the sec- ond quarter, Army faces third-and-eight from the Irish 11-yard line, and star halfback Chris Cagle scrambles with the ball to his right before throwing across the field to intended receiver Carl Carlmark for what could be an apparent score — until Jack Elder cuts in front of him, grabs the toss, eludes several tacklers with his Olympic-caliber speed, and races down the sideline for a record 100-yard touchdown return. Last game, national title on the line, and a 100-yard TD return as the lone score. There are not many such plays in college football lore. 50 Years Ago: Nov. 27, 1954 A marvelous rushing performance by No. 4 Notre Dame's starting backfield in the rain and mud at home allows the Irish to prevail with a 23-17 victory versus No. 17 USC. Irish quarterback and future College Football Hall of Fame inductee Ralph Guglielmi completes only 1 of 7 passes in the inclement conditions, but fullback Don Schaefer and halfbacks Jim Morse and Joe Heap combine for 376 yards rushing on 55 carries. The sophomore Morse — who 60 years later would underwrite Notre Dame's FieldTurf — carries 19 times for 179 yards. His 72-yard touchdown gallop with 5:57 left in the contest gives Notre Dame the lead for good before adding a late safety. Morse also tallies the first Irish TD on a 12-yard pass from Heap, whose 17 carries amass 110 yards. Schaefer adds 19 carries for 87 yards and a score. 10 Years Ago: Nov. 30, 2004 Three days after Notre Dame's third consecutive 31-point loss to USC (41-10), the school announces the firing of head coach Tyrone Willingham. A seven-man committee, including top Board of Trustee members, overrule outgoing school president Rev. Edward A. "Monk" Malloy and athletics director Kevin White to fire Willingham. The decision to oust the African-American Willingham elicits charges of racism nationally because Anniversaries In Notre Dame Athletics History: Nov. 25-Dec. 1 Jack Elder's (84) 100-yard interception return for a touchdown gave Notre Dame a national- title clinching 7-0 win over Army at Yankee Stadium in 1929. PHOTO COURTESY NOTRE DAME MEDIA RELATIONS