Blue and Gold Illustrated

UNDER THE DOME The stat about the seven touchdowns from 50 or more yards through four games piqued our curiosity on what is the record for most scored in one season by the Irish from that distance. We went back just more than 50 years to gather some data, and could not find a season with more than 10 touchdowns scored (that by the 1988 national champs) from 50 or more yards: Ara Parseghian (1964-74) • The 1966 national champs had the most such scores under Parseghian with seven, including two interceptions returns. Two of them came in the cru‑ cial 1966 opener against eventual Rose Bowl champ Purdue during a 26‑14 victory. Nick Eddy returned a kickoff 96 yards to tie the game, and quarterback Terry Hanratty found receiver Jim Seymour on an 84‑yard tally to give Notre Dame the lead for good. • The 1973 national champs had only three 50‑ plus yard scores — but two were epic: Eric Penick's 85‑yard touchdown run to end USC's 23‑game unbeaten streak, and Al Hunter's 93‑yard kickoff tally in the 24‑23 Sugar Bowl victory versus No. 1 Alabama. • The 1974 team had only one score from 50‑ plus yards while finishing No. 6 in the Associated Press. The 1967 team that finished No. 5 in the AP poll didn't have a run or pass that season that eclipsed 50 yards, nor did 1971. Dan Devine (1975-80) • The most touchdowns of 50 or more yards came his first season with six, highlighted by Lu‑ ther Bradley's 99‑yard interception return to win the Purdue game and Ted Burgmeier's 80‑yard TD catch to defeat North Carolina 21‑14. • The fewest 50‑plus yard touchdowns was one in 1979 (a 7‑4 team). • The 1977 national champs had five such scores, the longest a 68‑yard pass from Joe Mon‑ tana to Dave Waymer. Gerry Faust (1981-85) • During his five‑year era, the total dropped one per season from five in 1981 to one in 1985 (a 93‑ yard kickoff return by Tim Brown). Lou Holtz (1986-96) • With supreme game‑breakers such as Brown (nine touchdowns of 50 or more yards), Raghib "Rocket" Ismail (13), Ricky Watters (six) and Reg‑ gie Brooks (six), the Irish regularly tallied seven to 10 touchdowns of 50 or more yards from 1988‑93 (but only six in 1991). • The 1988 national champs unofficially hold the school record with 10. It started with an 81‑ yard punt return by Watters against Rose Bowl champ Michigan, continued with a 60‑yard in‑ terception return by Pat Terrell versus Miami, and in the regular‑season finale at No. 2 USC, quarterback Tony Rice had a 65‑yard scoring run while cornerback Stan Smagala returned an inter‑ ception 64 yards. • The 1992 team had nine, while the 6‑5‑1 team in 1994 had the lowest output under Holtz with three. Bob Davie (1997-2001) • His best season was the 9‑3 BCS campaign in 2000 with six touchdowns of at least 50 yards. Three of his seasons had three, and another had four. Tyrone Willingham (2002-04) • After the eight 50‑plus yard scores during his 10‑3 debut, the totals fell to three and two his last two seasons. Charlie Weis (2005-09) • The Irish had seven in his first season in 2005 and seven in his last in 2009 for his personal highs. The 3‑9 team in 2007 had only one. — Lou Somogyi Home Run History

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