Blue and Gold Illustrated

December 2017

Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football

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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com DECEMBER 2017 15 UNDER THE DOME 70 Years Ago: Dec. 6, 1947 In a showdown for the national title on the last day of the regular season, No. 1 Notre Dame repeats as the champion with a 38-7 drubbing of No. 3 USC in front of a capacity audience of 104,953 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Trojans had limited their eight previous opponents to 27 points, including a 32-0 win at Ohio State. The Irish lead only 10-7 at halftime but explode in the second half with a 76-yard touch- down run by Emil Sitko, a five-yard score by John Panelli, a 92-yard romp by Bob Livingstone — the longest Irish run from scrimmage until Josh Ad- ams' 98-yard tally versus Wake Forest in 2015 — and a 34-yard interception return by Al Zmijewski. Incredibly, for the second straight year the Irish finish a season without having trailed in a game. 60 Years Ago: Dec. 7, 1957 A 54-21 victory at SMU in Dallas' Cotton Bowl Stadium caps the most remarkable turnaround season in Notre Dame history at the time. Fol- lowing a 2-8 record in 1956 under third-year head coach Terry Brennan, the 1957 Irish finish 7-3 and No. 10 in the Associated Press poll. The Irish intercept five passes and recover a fumble that help set up their first six touchdown drives that cover 32, 27, 36, 30, 23 and 25 yards. Two of those interceptions are tossed by SMU star sophomore Don Meredith of future Dallas Cowboys and Monday Night Football fame. He sets an NCAA single-season record this year by completing 69.6 percent of his passes, but is only 7 of 15 against the Irish while rotating with Charlie Arnold. Irish quarterback Bob Williams, halfback Pat Doyle and fullback Norm Odyniec score two touchdowns apiece, and each also intercepts a pass. 40 Years Ago: Dec. 3, 1977 No. 5-ranked Notre Dame caps its regular season with a 48-10 win at Miami to set up its Jan. 2 Cotton Bowl showdown versus No. 1 Texas. Miami stays competitive most of the first half before the Irish seize control. Quarterback Joe Montana completes 15 of 26 pass attempts for 192 yards with two touchdowns to All-American tight end Ken MacAfee and another on a 23-yard wheel route to halfback Vagas Ferguson. It is the fifth time in the final six games Notre Dame eclipses 40 points, a school record over any six-game stretch. 15 Years Ago: Dec. 2-8, 2002 Notre Dame becomes the third men's basketball program ever to win three consecutive games against an opponent ranked in the top 10 of either the Associated Press poll or coaches poll, joining the 1976 national champ Indiana Hoosiers and the 1993 national champion North Carolina Tar Heels — both of whom did it in the NCAA Tournament. • Under third-year head coach Mike Brey, the festivities begin with a 92-71 thrashing of Marquette, which is ranked No. 10 in the coaches poll and is led by Dwyane Wade — who three months later would lead his team into the Final Four. Irish sophomore guard Chris Thomas scores 32 points (12 of 18 from the field, including 5 of 8 from three) and adds 10 assists. • Five days later at the BB&T Classic in Washington, D.C., Notre Dame topples defending national champ and No. 9 Maryland (79-67), with freshman center Torin Francis converting all eight of his field goal attempts for 20 points, while guard Matt Carroll adds 19 and forward Dan Miller chips in 17 against his former teammates. • In the final the next day, Notre Dame rallies past No. 2 Texas — which would join Marquette in the Final Four — 98-92, with Francis scoring 21 points grabbing 10 rebounds and blocking eight shots. — Lou Somogyi Anniversaries In Notre Dame Football History: December NOTRE DAME AUTO MATS *PLEASE ADD SALES TAX IN IN, MI, AND NC Mats are shipped direct from manufacturer. Please allow time for processing and deliv- ery. Orders placed by Dec. 4 should arrive in time for holiday delivery. BLUE AND GOLD ILLUSTRATED PO BOX 2331 • DURHAM, NC 27702 800-421-7751 www.BlueGoldOnline.com #6503 - 2pc Vinyl Front Mat Set $39.95 + $9.99 S&H #6504 - 2pc Vinyl Utility Mat Set $27.95 + $7.99 S&H #6518 - 4pc Vinyl Front & Utility Mat Set $59.95 + $12.99 S&H Front Mats 18"x27" • Utility Mats 14"x17" 31"x31" VINYL CARGO MAT $39.95 + $12.99 S&H CHOICE OF LOGO DESIGN: ND Logo (Item #6519-ND) Leprechaun Logo (Item #6519-LEP) VINYL AUTO MATS Available in 2-pc or 4-pc Sets Logo Choice: ND or Leprechaun Bob Livingstone's 92-yard touchdown run helped propel the Irish to a 38-7 road victory versus USC in 1947. PHOTO COURTESY NOTRE DAME MEDIA RELATIONS

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