Blue and Gold Illustrated

UNDER THE DOME 40 Years Ago: Sept. 15-20, 1975 The Dan Devine coaching era at Notre Dame opens with consecutive road victories in a span of five days. The achievement puts the new head coach and quarterback Rick Slager on the cover of Sports Illustrated with the headline "Devine Week For Notre Dame." On Monday night, Notre Dame de‑ feats Boston College 17‑3, with fresh‑ man fullback Jim Browner's 95 rush‑ ing yards and nine‑yard TD among the highlights. The Irish don't get back to their hotel room until 2 a.m. and have to cancel practice the next day because they don't arrive home until Tuesday afternoon. Four days later at Purdue, Notre Dame clings to a 3‑0 fourth‑quarter lead before the Boilermakers drive to the Irish 1‑yard line. But on a halfback pass attempt, sophomore safety Luther Bradley reads it perfectly for an interception and 99‑yard touchdown return. Another Bradley intercep‑ tion sets up a short TD drive for the 17‑0 final score. "I don't think that will ever happen again where Notre Dame plays two games in five days [both on the road]," Bradley said. 35 Years Ago: Sept. 20, 1980 Junior Harry Oliver kicks what many consider the most famous field goal in Notre Dame history, a 51‑yarder as time expires to defeat eventual Big Ten and Rose Bowl champion Michigan, 29‑27. The Wolverines tally off a tipped pass with only 41 seconds left in the contest for a 27‑26 edge, but the missed two‑point conversion leaves the door ajar for the Irish to win. Backed up at his 20, freshman quarterback Blair Kiel is inserted for the first time to run the shotgun offense. A 30‑yard pass interference penalty jump‑starts the march into Michigan territory before Oliver, who missed a point after attempt earlier and had one career field goal (38 yards), enters. "We were allowed to use tees back then and I had a two‑inch kicking block," Oliver, who passed away in 2007, recalled years later. "I couldn't see myself making one from that distance with the ball on the ground — and the goal posts have been narrowed to NFL size." Anniversaries In Notre Dame Athletics History: Sept. 15-21 Sophomore safety Luther Bradley's 99‑yard interception return for a touchdown helped Notre Dame to a 17‑0 win at Purdue on Sept. 20, 1975 — its second road victory in a five‑day span. PHOTO COURTESY NOTRE DAME MEDIA RELATIONS

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