Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com OCT. 2, 2017 17 UNDER THE DOME 70 Years Ago: Oct. 4, 1947 Returning to his roots in Western Pennsylvania, senior quarterback John Lujack tosses a career-high three touchdown passes to lead the reigning national champion Fighting Irish to a 40-6 victory at Pittsburgh to open the new season. Despite losing six fumbles and leading only 13-6 at halftime, Notre Dame wins comfortably with Lujack completing touchdown passes of nine yards to Doug Waybright and then fellow future College Football Hall of Fame members Jim Martin (25 yards) and Leon Hart (34 yards). 55 Years Ago: Sept. 29, 1962 A historic drive on offense and a dramatic goal-line stand on defense lead a season-opening 13-7 Notre Dame win at Oklahoma. With the score tied at 7-7, the Irish take the opening possession of the second half with senior quarterback Daryle Lamonica at the throttle and navigate 89 yards in 19 plays, capped by Bill Ahern's nine-yard touchdown run. The march takes 11:35, the longest recorded time of possession in school history for one series. "You usually can't run 19 plays in a dummy scrimmage without making a mistake," said Irish head coach Joe Kuharich, who improved to 4-0 at Notre Dame in openers. In the fourth quarter, the Sooners drive to a first down at the Irish 3-yard line, but on fourth-and- goal from the 1-yard line Frank Minik recovers a fumbled Sooners pitchout at the 12 to help preserve the win. 45 Years Ago: Sept. 30, 1972 Sophomore quarterback Tom Clements, who debuted a week earlier by completing only 4 of 11 passes for 42 yards with two in- terceptions in a win at Northwestern, deto- nates against a Purdue front led by future NFL stars Dave Butz and Gregg Bingham that crowds the line and dares him to pass. Clements completes 17 of 24 passes for 287 yards, highlighted by 62- and 39- yard touchdown passes to split end Wil- lie Townsend and tight end Mike Creaney, respectively, to stake Notre Dame to a 35-0 lead en route to a 35-14 victory versus the Boilermakers. Fellow sophomore Eric Penick carries 12 times for 133 yards and another score. The Irish defense, led by tackles Greg Marx (co-captain) and freshman Steve Niehaus, dominate a Purdue offense that features longtime pro and current CBS an- nouncer Gary Danielson, and first-round picks Otis Armstrong (running back) and Darryl Stingley (receiver). 15 Years Ago: Oct. 5, 2002 The legend of first-year Notre Dame head coach Tyrone Willingham continues to bloom when his No. 9 Fighting Irish improve to 5-0 with a 31-7 victory at home over Stanford — where he had been the head coach from 1995-2001 before accepting the Notre Dame post. Just 11 months earlier, Willingham had led Stanford past the Irish (17-13) to post the best regular season winning percentage (9-2) for the Cardinal since finishing 9-1 in 1951, or 50 years earlier. The victory over Stanford is directed by walk-on quarterback Pat Dillingham, who starts in place of the injured Carlyle Holiday. The Irish lean on the ground game with Rashon Powers-Neal (13 carries for 108 yards) and Ryan Grant (18 carries for 103 yards) both eclipsing the 100-yard mark. Notre Dame trails 7-3 at halftime, but explodes for three touchdowns — two on defense — in a span of 3:13 late in the third quarter. It begins with a Powers-Neal one-yard scoring run, followed 24 seconds later by a 17-yard interception return for a touchdown by cornerback Shane Walton, and then linebacker Courtney Watson returning another interception for a 34-yard tally. — Lou Somogyi Anniversaries In Notre Dame Football History: Sept. 29-Oct. 5 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 #6372 UltraSoft Blanket 84" x 54" $39.95+ $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 #6388 Sweatshirt Blanket 84" x 54" $34.95 + $7.99 S&H In the second game of his career, quarterback Tom Clements connected on 17 of 24 throws for 287 yards with two touchdowns to lead Notre Dame to a 35‑14 victory over Purdue. PHOTO COURTESY NOTRE DAME MEDIA RELATIONS