Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/869474
www.BLUEANDGOLD.com SEPT. 11, 2017 17 UNDER THE DOME 40 Years Ago: Sept. 10, 1977 The showdown between defending national champion Pitt and projected 1977 national title winner Notre Dame sees the No. 3-ranked Fighting Irish rally in the fourth quarter for a 19-9 victory versus the No. 7 Panthers in the Steel City. The game-changing play for Notre Dame ironically came on Pitt's touchdown with 1:28 left in the first quarter to take a 7-0 lead. On that 12-yard pass from Matt Cavanaugh to Gordon Jones, Notre Dame defensive end Willie Fry hits Cavanaugh right as he releases the pass, and the QB breaks his left wrist when Fry's weight lands atop him. Minus Cavanaugh, his two replacements combined for 3-of-13 passing for 10 yards with two intercep- tions, four fumbled snaps and numerous other bobbles. The Panthers had eight fumbles — seven in the second half, losing five — seven turnovers and accounted for 82 yards of total offense. Pitt's defense, coordinated by future Miami national champion and Super Bowl champion Jimmy Johnson, keeps it ahead 9-6 entering the fourth quarter, but Notre Dame's final six possessions began in Panthers territory — the 26, 16, 38, 16 and 11 on the first five — to set up two field goals by Dave Reeve and a late insurance touchdown from running back Terry Eurick. 30 Years Ago: Sept. 12, 1987 After a 5-6 debut season under Lou Holtz in 1986, the second-year head coach has a succinct message for his troops as they open the new season in Ann Arbor against No. 9 Michigan. "It doesn't have to be close," he said, noting the previous year's 24-23 loss to the Wolverines and how the series often comes down to the final series. With the aid of seven Michigan turnovers (and only one by Notre Dame), the Irish romp to a 26-7 vic- tory. Senior Heisman Trophy candidate Tim Brown puts the Irish ahead 10-0 with a spectacular, leaping catch in the end zone on a 10-yard pass from quarterback Terry Andrysiak. Four of Michigan's 23 passes are intercepted, two by safety Corny Southall and one apiece by line- backers Wes Pritchett and Cedric Figaro. Freshman Ricky Watters caps the scoring with an 18-yard touchdown run on third-and-five with 6:14 left in the contest. 15 Years Ago: Sept. 14, 2002 One year after a 5-6 finish, first-year Notre Dame head coach Tyrone Willingham becomes the toast of the town when a 25-23 victory versus No. 7 Michigan elevates the No. 20-ranked Irish to No. 12. Fifth-year senior Irish 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. 5 Years Ago: Sept. 8, 2012 Kyle Brindza kicks a 27-yard field goal with seven seconds remaining to lift No. 22 Notre Dame to a 20-17 victory over longtime state rival Purdue. The winning points culminate a 55-yard drive in which backup quarterback Tommy Rees is inserted in place of starter Everett Golson, leading to highly audible booing in Notre Dame Stadium. The poised Rees then completes a 10-yard pass to John Goodman on third-and-six and then connects with Robby Toma for 21 yards on third-and-10. "Does he have all the elite skills? No, but he's a gamer," Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly said of Rees. "Those guys in the locker room will go to the wall for him. They'll do anything because he's a great teammate." — Lou Somogyi Anniversaries In Notre Dame Football History: Sept. 8‑14 Junior quarterback Tommy Rees was inserted to lead the game-winning march against Purdue in 2012 that ended with a Kyle Brindza field goal with only seven seconds left. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA