Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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Anniversaries In Notre Dame Athletics History: Sept. 12-18 30 Years Ago: Sept. 18, 1982 In its first-ever night game at home, Notre Dame rinses out the bitter memory of a 25-7 loss at Michigan a year earlier with a 23-17 victory against the Wolverines to open head coach Gerry Faust’s second season. The Irish finished 5-6 in Faust’s debut campaign when it was a preseason national title favorite, but the atmosphere is literally “electric” with Musco Portable Lightning in Iowa brought in for the game. Senior fullback Larry Moriarty rushes for 116 yards on 16 carries and scores on a 24-yard run, while junior tailback Greg Bell adds 95 yards on 20 carries. Junior Blair Kiel completes 15 of 22 passes for 141 yards in a short, controlled passing attack. The defense excels with eight sacks (three by end Kevin Griffith) and holds head coach Bo Schembechler’s team to 41 yards rushing, its lowest total in 12 years. On special teams, kicker Mike Johnston converts all three field goal attempts to earn a scholarship. Michigan scores the final 10 points, but senior Irish safety/captain Dave Duerson wrestles the ball away from Michigan’s Vince Bean at the Irish 30 in the closing minutes to help clinch the victory. Prior to the game, the Irish gather to watch the premier of “Wake Up The Echoes,” chronicling the history of Notre Dame football. “Not one word was spoken on the way over to the Stadium,” tri-captain/tailback Phil Carter said. “That movie said it all.” “You can’t imagine how inspiring the film was,” fellow captain and linebacker Mark Zavagnin added. The victory elevates Notre Dame all the way from No. 20 in the Associated Press poll to Michigan’s former No. 10 spot. 25 Years Ago: Sept. 12, 1987 Speaking of coming off 5-6 seasons under a first-year head coach … Lou Holtz’s No. 16 Irish travel to Ann Arbor to take on No. 9 Michigan in the opener. “It doesn’t have to be close,” Holtz reminds his troops the year after a 24-23 loss to Michigan. With the aid of seven Michigan turnovers (and only one by Notre Dame), the Irish romp to a 26‑7 triumph. Senior Heisman Trophy candidate Tim Brown puts Notre Dame ahead 10-0 on a spectacular, leaping catch of a 10-yard pass from quarterback Terry Andrysiak. Four of Michigan’s 23 pass attempts are intercepted, two by junior safety Corny Southall and one apiece by linebackers Wes Pritchett and Cedric Figaro. Freshman Ricky Watters caps the scoring with an 18-yard touchdown scamper on third-and-five. 10 Years Ago: Sept. 14, 2002 First-year Notre Dame head coach Tyrone Willingham becomes the toast of the town after a 25‑23 victory versus No. 7 Michigan improves the Irish to 3-0 and elevates it eight spots to No. 12 in the AP poll — one year following a 5-6 finish. After not scoring a touchdown on offense in the first two games, the Irish drive 80 yards on their opening series, capped by a one-yard scoring run by sophomore Ryan Grant, who finishes with 132 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries. Senior cornerback Shane Walton breaks up a two-point conversion pass to Braylon Edwards with 2:53 left, and then intercepts a John Navarre pass near midfield in the closing seconds to seal the verdict. “I don’t have a five-year plan,” Willingham said. “After living in the Bay Area and being around dot.coms, you know it changes so fast you can’t afford to have a five-year plan. We’re for just win today. That’s the goal.” Personnel News • Sophomore running back/slot receiver Amir Carlisle practiced during Purdue week, but head coach Brian Kelly indicated the USC transfer needs many more mental reps before he is ready to take the field in a crowded backfield, after recovering from his spring ankle surgery. “This was really his first week of true practice,” said Kelly, who didn’t rule out redshirting Carlisle for the year if he isn’t ready to play by midseason. • Junior safety Austin Collinsworth, who underwent shoulder surgery in June, has been ruled “probably out for the season” by Kelly. • Junior outside linebacker Danny Spond, who suffered from a severe migraine in August, has been cleared for non-contact drills and might be ready to play against Michigan State on Sept. 15. • Junior offensive tackle Tate Nichols is recovering from an August knee injury. He is able to lift weights again, but as of Purdue week was yet to be involved in team activities. • On Notre Dame’s return from Ireland, the Irish received a scare when director of player development and engagement, Ernest Jones, fell ill and had an adverse reaction to sinus medication, leaving him dehydrated. He was transported to Memorial Hospital in South Bend immediately after landing, but he was released the next day and was back in his office by Monday. “We were very fortunate we had Dr. Jim Moriarity and Dr. Chris Balint, Dr. Brian Ratigan, they were able to give him great care … and did some tests to make sure that there was no other issues,” Kelly said.