Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com APRIL 2017 17 UNDER THE DOME 40 Years Ago: April 30, 1977 The 47th annual Blue-Gold Game features the odds-on favorite to win the 1977 national title because of all 11 starters returning from a record-setting Notre Dame defense from 1976 that did not permit a touchdown in 20 straight quarters. Two of those All-Americans on defense shine in the Blue's 49-10 win, with end Ross Browner re- cording four sacks for 24 yards while cornerback Luther Bradley intercepts three passes and returns them for 54 yards. The veteran offense also is slated to return nine of 11 starters, al- though the top fullback (Jerome Heavens), top tailback (Al Hunter), tri-captain (Terry Eurick) and top split end (Kris Haines) are all side- lined with injuries. Sophomore tailback Vagas Ferguson leads the attack with 85 yards and four touchdowns on 17 carries. With 1976 starting quarterback Rick Slager graduated, junior Rusty Lisch (11-of-17 passing for 111 yards with one touchdown and one interception) wins the No. 1 quarterback spot over senior Joe Montana (8-of-17 passing for 53 yards with three interceptions), who missed the previous year with a separated shoulder. "When a guy is out for a year, it's hard to come back so quickly," head coach Dan Devine said of Montana. 15 Years Ago: April 27, 2002 Rain and cold limits the first Blue-Gold Game under new head coach Tyrone Willingham to an at- tendance of 17,025. Because of the poor conditions, the game lasts only one hour and 22 minutes — including a 20-min- ute halftime — and a mere 58 plays are run. The lone score comes on a 37-yard field by Nicholas Setta to give the Gold team a 3-0 victory. In the newly installed West Coast offense, Willingham declines to name a starting quarterback be- tween 2000 starter Matt LoVecchio (6-of-14 passing for 58 yards with three interceptions) and 2001 starter Carlyle Holiday (3-of-7 passing for 27 yards), both juniors. 10 Years Ago: April 21, 2007 Unlike five years earlier, a gorgeous, warm and sunny day sees a record (to this day) crowd of 51,852 in attendance at the Blue-Gold Game, with former Irish head coaches Ara Parseghian (1964-74) and Lou Holtz (1986-96) serving as the honorary coaches under Charlie Weis, now in his third season after back-to-back BCS bids. However, the main attraction is early enrollee freshman quarterback Jimmy Clausen, anointed as "the LeBron James of college football" in various circles, including Sports Illustrated. Bone spurs in Clausen's throwing arm limit him in action, and he completes 3 of 7 passes for 23 yards while splitting time on the Blue team with sophomore Demetrius Jones (3-of-6 passing for 23 yards). Jones completes a 15-yard touchdown pass to Robby Parris, but also tosses an interception that Defensive MVP David Bruton returns for a touchdown in the Gold's 10-6 win. Stealing the show also is senior Gold running back Junior Jabbie, who earns the player of the game award on offense with 87 yards on 13 rushing attempts for the winners. — Lou Somogyi Anniversaries In Notre Dame Football History: April BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED PO Box 2331 • Durham, NC 27702 1-800-421-7751 Visit our online store! www.BlueGoldOnline.com Delivery limited to continental U.S. Please Add Sales Tax For Items Shipping To: (NC 7.5%, IN 7%, MI 6%) Notre Dame CLEARANCE LIMITED QUANTITIES Offer Good While Supply Lasts Chrome Hitches $31.95 (Free S&H) Item #6601 Leprechaun Logo Chrome or Black Background Fits 2" Receiver Magazine Binders Item #6099 $24.95 + $6.50 S&H CLEARANCE Limited Supply FREE S&H! #6270 Onesie Romper $12.95 #6271 Onesie Dress $14.95 #6273 Football Onesie & Cap Set $18.95 Future Tailgater Collection Vagas Ferguson rushed for 85 yards and four touchdowns to help the Blue team post a 49-10 victory in the 1977 Blue-Gold Game. PHOTO COURTESY NOTRE DAME MEDIA RELATIONS