Blue and Gold Illustrated

telecasts has been 4.16 million per game. Through 24 full seasons, the Fight‑ ing Irish have had only two where they went unbeaten at home: 1998 (6‑0) and 2012 (6‑0). In the 27 seasons prior to that from 1964‑90, it occurred 10 times. Entering this weekend's game with Navy, Notre Dame's record in NBC telecast home games is 107‑44‑1 for a .707 winning percentage. Chronologically, here are 25 of the best or most famous Notre Dame plays in victory (and its lone tie) from home games that were broadcast by NBC. 1. 1991 INDIANA: WHAT A DRAG — The first game broadcast by NBC — Sept. 7, 1991 — is highlighted by tight end Irv Smith scoring on a 58‑yard pass from Rick Mirer in which Smith drags several Hoosier defenders the final 20 yards. 2. 1992 MICHIGAN: UNCONSCIOUS COMPE- TENCE — Senior Reggie Brooks' 20‑yard touchdown run displays excellent bal‑ ance and cut‑back ability — but espe‑ cially remarkable is how he holds on to the football while being knocked unconscious near the goal line in the 17‑17 tie. 3 AND 4. 1992 PENN STATE: TWO FOR THE SHOW — In the 17‑16 "Snow Bowl" vic‑ tory over Penn State, Jerome Bettis on fourth‑and‑goal caught a three‑yard touchdown pass from Mirer with 20 seconds left to cut the deficit to 16‑15. That play also was supposed to be used for the two‑pointer, where Mirer instead scrambles back to his 16 before finding his fourth option, Brooks, who makes a diving catch. 5. 1993 USC: SETTING THE TONE — De‑ scribed by head coach Lou Holtz as too slow to pull a hamstring, tailback Lee Becton runs for a 70‑yard touch‑ down on the second play of the game. After the 31‑13 Irish win, USC All‑ American linebacker Willie McGinest describes the Notre Dame offensive line as "monsters out of the woods." 6. 1993 FLORIDA STATE: 1 VS. 2 — In NBC's top moment of its 25 years with Notre Dame, nickel back Shawn Wooden bats away Heisman Trophy winner Charlie Ward's final pass near the Irish goal line as time expires in No. 2 Notre Dame's 31‑24 victory ver‑ sus No. 1 Florida State. The 16 household rating that tuned in to watch this game remains the stan‑ dard on NBC. It is also how ESPN's College GameDay originated. 7. 1994 PURDUE: GREATEST RUN? — On a wet field during Notre Dame's 39‑21 victory versus Purdue, senior fullback Ray Zellars displays power, balance and speed on his 62‑yard touchdown run when he bulldozes through one defender, hurdles another and then outruns the secondary. 8. 1995 USC: HIT MAN — With USC driv‑ ing and about to take an early lead, blitzing Irish linebacker Kinnon Ta‑ tum's thundering, diving hit on run‑ ning back Delon Washington — which forced a fumble at the Notre Dame 3‑yard line the Irish recovered — elec‑ trifies the stadium.

• Cover