Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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UNDER THE DOME 65 Years Ago: Dec. 3, 1949 The greatest four-year era in college football history is capped when Notre Dame holds on to defeat valiant SMU, 27-20, to clinch its third consensus national title in four seasons and raise its record to 36-0-2 from 1946-49. The game is held in Dallas' Cotton Bowl with 75,457 in attendance. Led by a magnificent effort by Mustangs sophomore Kyle Rote — replac- ing injured 1948 Heisman Trophy winner Doak Walker — SMU ties the game at 20 on Rote's third touchdown (he rushes for 115 yards and passes for 146), but Notre Dame linebacker Jerry Groom blocks the extra point. The Irish then embark on a 54-yard drive in 10 plays capped by Bill Barrett's five-yard TD run with 8:37 remaining for a 27-20 lead. Rote an- swers by driving SMU 66 yards to the Irish 5-yard line. On fourth down, Groom picks off Rote's pass into the end zone, with an assist from Bob Lally, to help secure another national title. "I never saw more excitement in a game in my life," Notre Dame head coach Frank Leahy said afterwards. 40 Years Ago: Dec. 16, 1974 Citing that he is "physically exhausted and emotionally drained," 51-year old Ara Parseghian announces the end to his 11-year reign as head coach at Notre Dame that is highlighted by consensus national titles in 1966 and 1973. One day later, Green Bay Packers head coach Dan Devine is officially announced as the new coach. Devine posted a glittering career record of 120-40-4 in three seasons at Arizona State (27-3-1 from 1955-57) and Missouri (93-37-3 from 1958-70) before heading to the NFL. Notre Dame executive vice president Rev. Ned Joyce had interviewed Devine for the position in the spring of 1963. When the timing wasn't right, Joyce reportedly told him the job would be his the next time it opened up — helping explain the quick transition. 10 Years Ago: Dec. 13, 2004 New England Patriots offensive coordinator Charlie Weis becomes the first Notre Dame graduate (1978) named full-time head coach at his alma mater since Joe Kuharich in 1959. "You are going to have a hard-working, intelligent, nasty football team that goes on the field because Anniversaries In Notre Dame Athletics History: December Winning the 1949 national championship gave Notre Dame head coach Frank Leahy four national titles and four straight unbeaten seasons. PHOTO COURTESY NOTRE DAME MEDIA RELATIONS