Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/871976
www.BLUEANDGOLD.com SEPT. 18, 2017 15 UNDER THE DOME 35 Years Ago: Sept. 18, 1982 The first-ever night game in Notre Dame Stadium produces an inspired performance by the Fighting Irish in the season opener with a 23-17 victory versus No. 10 Michigan. With the conquest, Notre Dame elevates from No. 20 under second-year head coach Gerry Faust — following his disappointing 5-6 debut in 1981 — to the Wolverines' previous No. 10 slot. In a truly "electric" atmosphere supplied by Musco Portable Lighting, Notre Dame avenges a 25-7 loss at Michigan a year earlier by holding it to 41 rushing yards — the Wolverines' lowest total in 12 years — on the strength of eight sacks, three by end Kevin Griffith. On offense, senior fullback Larry Moriarty rambles for 116 yards on 16 carries and scores on a 24-yard run, junior tailback Greg Bell adds 95 yards on 20 carries, and junior quarterback Blair Kiel completes 15 of 22 passes for 141 yards in a controlled passing attack. Kicker Mike Johnston is put on scholarship after converting all three field goals in his first start. The victory is secured when safety/captain Dave Duerson wrestles the ball away from Michigan's Vince Bean at the Irish 30 in the closing minutes. 30 Years Ago: Sept. 19, 1987 In the first quarter against what would be the 1987 Big Ten and Rose Bowl champion Michigan State Spartans, senior flanker Tim Brown has 71- and 66-yard punt returns for touchdowns to give Notre Dame a 19-0 lead and spark a 31-8 victory by the No. 9 Irish versus No. 17 MSU. The game begins with the quickest score in Notre Dame history — one never to be broken — when Michigan State's Blake Ezor fields the opening kickoff at the 1-yard line, and then steps back to the goal line to down the ball. It results in a safety and a 2-0 lead for the Irish with 15:00 still left on the clock. It was one of two first-half safeties for Notre Dame, which built a 24-0 halftime cushion. Brown accumulated 243 all-purpose yards in the first 30 minutes among his 275 total. Notre Dame had not returned a punt for a score in 14 years and 157 games, but Brown did it twice in a span of 2:01. "We were looking to get only one," Brown said after the game. "We knew that [future Pro Bowl punter Greg] Montgomery had a great average, over 52 yards, and figured he would over-kick his coverage — and he did." 15 Years Ago: Sept. 21, 2002 First-year Notre Dame head coach Tyrone Willingham's amazing debut season continues when the No. 12 Irish rally to defeat Michigan State in East Lansing 21-17 to snap a five-game losing streak to the Spartans. After falling behind 17-14 with 1:45 remaining in the contest, walk-on quarterback Pat Dillingham, replacing injured starter Carlyle Holiday, connects on a short sight adjustment route with Arnaz Battle, who uses a downfield block from tight end Gary Godsey and turns it into a 60-yard touchdown with 1:15 left. Both Battle and Godsey had started at quarterback in 2000 victories against Texas A&M and Purdue, respectively. A year after a 5-6 finish that results in the firing of head coach Bob Davie, the 4-0 Irish move up to No. 9, and Willingham's start begins to evoke comparisons to Ara Parseghian's Camelot-like first season at Notre Dame in 1964. Sports Illustrated features Notre Dame freshman wide receiver Maurice Stovall on the cover catching a touchdown pass from Holiday. The headline reads, "What A Difference A Coach Makes!" — Lou Somogyi Anniversaries In Notre Dame Football History: Sept. 15‑21 NOTRE DAME BLANKETS *Please add sales tax in IN, MI, and NC Call for best shipping rates on multiple items! BLUE AND GOLD ILLUSTRATED PO BOX 2331 • DURHAM, NC 27702 800-421-7751 Visit our online store for more tailgating items! www.BlueGoldOnline.com Item #6338 Mascot Throw 50" x 60" $26.95+ $7.99 S&H Item #6371 Huddle Throw 50" x 60" $22.95+ $7.99 S&H Item #6389 All-Weather Blanket 50" x 60" $34.95 + $7.99 S&H Item #6377 Raschel Throw 50" x 60" $29.95+ $7.99 S&H Item #6370 Classic Fleece 50" x 60" $19.95+ $7.99 S&H The Fighting Irish limited the Wolverines to 41 rushing yards — U-M's worst output in 12 years — en route to a 23-17 victory in the first-ever night game at Notre Dame Stadium in 1982. PHOTO COURTESY NOTRE DAME MEDIA RELATIONS