16. 2002 MICHIGAN: THE TY THAT BINDS
—
The 25‑23 victory versus Michigan
in head coach Tyrone Willingham's
first season is led by cornerback Shane
Walton, who deflects a late two‑point
conversion attempt and then inter‑
cepts a pass to clinch the win. The 3‑0
Irish suddenly become the buzz of the
nation.
17. 2003 WASHINGTON STATE: NICK OF TIME
II —
In the season opener, Notre Dame
rallies from a 19‑0 deficit and win in
overtime on Setta's 40‑yard field goal.
18. 2003 NAVY: RESER VE POWER —
With Setta sidelined, reserve kicker
D.J. Fitzpatrick joins Joe Perkowski
(1961), Oliver (1980) and Setta (2000
and 2003) as Irish kickers who made
game‑winning field goals at home as
time expired. His 40‑yarder makes it
40 straight wins over Navy.
19. 2004 MICHIGAN: DAZZLING DEBUT — In
Notre Dame's season‑opening 20‑17
loss at BYU, freshman running back
Darius Walker does not play a single
snap, while the Irish rush for 11 yards.
Trailing 9‑0 at halftime at home versus
Michigan the next week, Walker is in‑
serted and rushes for 115 yards, high‑
lighted by a six‑yard scoring run in
the fourth quarter to put Notre Dame
ahead for good in the 28‑20 win.
20. 2006 UCLA: HOLY SHARK! — Jeff "The
Shark" Samardzija takes a pass from
a scrambling Brady Quinn and turns
it into a 45‑yard touchdown with 27
seconds left in the contest in Notre
Dame's 20‑17 conquest.
Cornerback Shane Walton's two key plays late in the game helped the Irish secure a 25-23 win over
Michigan in 2002.
PHOTOS BY PER KJELDSEN
