Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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UNDER THE DOME Anniversaries In Notre Dame Athletics History: May 45 Years Ago: May 6, 1967 The day marks an end of an era when Notre Dame plays its final "Old-Timers Game." Sports Illustrated is on hand to do a two-page spread on the final spring scrimmage for the de- fending national champs, and ABC-TV is there to have the Notre Dame Old-Timers Game compete against The Kentucky Derby that is telecast on another network. The Old-Timers Game was originated in 1929 by Knute Rockne to conclude spring practice, and to build nostalgia with former Irish players. However, current head coach Ara Parseghian says a change will be needed, and it will lead to the original Blue-Gold Game in 1968. The reason for the elimination of the Old-Tim- ers game is detailed by SI: "Former Irish luminar- ies are brought in to dress up the show, but they have usually become good-timers with mid-riff bulge, and when they make an appearance it is brief. They try to keep out of harm's way. "The professional players who show up are those of modest achievement; if they were not, the pro team would not let them risk injury." Among those inserted are 1953 Heisman Tro- phy winner Johnny Lattner for one punt and tackle Gus Cifelli, class of 1950, whose 18th straight appearance is a brief one. The quar- terback is George Izo (16-of-30 passing for 134 yards), who was the No. 2 pick in the 1960 NFL Draft (Chicago Cardinals), while a top receiver is Bill "Red" Mack (four catches for 56 yards), who had just won a Super Bowl ring with the Green Bay Packers in his final pro game. The Old-Timers are given an assist by reserves on the current Irish team. For the record, the 1967 Notre Dame varsity Clements helped produce six touchdowns in six drives during the 1972 Blue-Gold Game on 7-of-10 passing for 107 yards. ble during the 1971 season because it is the final season that the NCAA doesn't allow freshmen to play at the varsity level, wows an audience of 18,589 at the Blue-Gold Game to complete spring practice. Although he is listed as the backup to incum- 40 Years Ago: May 6, 1972 Freshman quarterback Tom Clements, ineligi- bent Cliff Brown, Clements directs six touch- down drives in six series for the starting Blue team in a 54-0 victory. He completes 7 of 10 pass attempts for 107 yards, highlighted by a 13-yard touchdown to tight end Mike Creaney. ATTENTION IRISH FANS Packages are available for all Notre Dame home football games Sept. 08 Purdue Sept. 22 Michigan Oct. 13 Stanford Oct. 20 B.Y.U Nov. 03 Pittsburgh Nov. 17 Wake Forest All Package will include: PHOTO COURTESY NOTRE DAME MEDIA RELATIONS 95 yards rushing and three scores, notably a 52- yard scamper in which he breaks several tackles and even leaves head coach Ara Parseghian in awe on the sidelines. The top three quarterbacks returning from Clements also carries 11 times for a game-high coasts to a 39-0 victory, with quarterbacks Terry Hanratty and Coley O'Brien combining to com- plete 19 of 26 passes for 290 yards. At one point while watching the Irish varsity * Game Ticket- Endzone to the 40 yard line defense smother another play, ABC publicist Beano Cook announces, "There are more horses here than there are at the Kentucky Derby. ABC has done it again." 1971 — Brown, Pat Steenberge and Jim Bulger (father of future NFL quarterback Marc Bulger) — are a combined 2-of-15 passing on the after- noon for 19 yards, and add 18 yards rushing. However, Parseghian still is reluctant to pub- licly announce a starter. "Brown has been hurt lately with a bad knee * Two night hotel in either South Bend or Elkhart and ribs," he said. "I am very pleased with the job Clements did … the quarterback for the sea- son will be the one who does the job in the fall." — Lou Somogyi football program will serve as instructors and interact with the participants. Fifteen former players have been confirmed to serve as instructors. Alphabetically, they are offensive lineman Jeremy Akers (1993-96), running back Greg Bell (1980-83), Registration has begun for the 2012 Notre Dame Football Fantasy Camp held from June 5-9 on campus. Head coach Brian Kelly, former Notre Dame stars and some members of the current Notre Dame LIVE 'FANTASY FOOTBALL' defensive back Luther Bradley (1973, 1975-77), flanker Tim Brown (1984-87), linebacker Bob Crable (1978-81), running back Vagas Ferguson (1976-79), linebacker/end Mike Golic Sr. (1981-84), quarter- back/flanker Carlyle Holiday (2001-04), running back John Lattner (1951-53), defensive lineman Lance Legree (1997-2000), quarterback Tony Rice (1987-89), safety Gerome Sapp (1999-2002), cornerback Rod Smith (1988-91), safety Pat Terrell (1986-89) and defensive back Shawn Wooden (1991-95). Any questions about the Fantasy Camp, which costs $4,495.00, can be directed to Chad Klunder, Direc- tor of Football Operations, Phone: 574-631-8643, or E-mail:cklunder@nd.edu. www.BLUEANDGOLD.com * Great Customer Service Please visit www.diamondtravel.com for complete details and price or call 1.602.870.9197 DIAMOND TRAVEL 24 YEARS IN BUSINESS GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE MAY 2012 11