Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com JANUARY 2018 53 Consequently, the Citrus Bowl ver- sus LSU Jan. 1 in Orlando provides an opportunity to help end a funk that began in 1981. RECRUITING SUCCESS Prior to the 1970s, Notre Dame players from Florida were almost non-existent. It reflected the times, as the NFL didn't even have football franchises in the South until Atlanta and Miami in 1966. It wasn't until the late 1980s under head coach Lou Holtz and recruiting coordinator Vinny Cerrato that Notre Dame began to make inroads and become more of a player in the Sun- shine State during the halcyon years from 1988-93 when the Irish were 64-9-1, including 5-1 in major bowls. Among the many standouts from Florida were defensive backs Tom Carter and Pat Terrell, both from St. Petersburg, tight end Derek Brown (Merritt Island), offensive linemen Mike Heldt (Tampa) and Gene Mc- Guire (Panama City), and quarterback Kevin McDougal (Pompano Beach). The foothold and success there set the table for future stars such as all- time Irish leading rusher and cur- rent running backs coach Autry Den- son (Lauderhill), offensive linemen such as Jeff Faine (Sanford) and Sam Young (Coral Springs), defensive lineman Louis Nix (Jacksonville), safety Zeke Motta (Vero Beach), and even current playmakers such as the aforementioned Coney or wideout Kevin Stepherson (Jacksonville). It's still always going to be a stiff challenge to lure elite Floridians away from the Big Three of Florida, Florida State and Miami, or SEC country in general, never mind now 12-0 Central Florida and South Flor- ida, which has gone 20-4 the past two years (and even won at Notre Dame to open the 2011 campaign). However, this state has cultivated outstanding talent for Notre Dame the past 30 years, and the expectation is that can be at least matched, if not surpassed, in the next 30. FLORIDA HISTORY The first time Notre Dame trav- eled into the state of Florida to play a game was 1955, in head coach Terry Brennan's second season, a 14-0 Irish victory versus Miami. From 1955-77, the Irish were 8-2-1 in the state of Florida, including 6-1-1 against Miami in the Orange Bowl. The first bowl event for the school in the state was a 40-6 debacle to Ne- braska in the 1973 Orange Bowl (in Miami), and the most recent was the 42-14 pummeling versus Alabama in the 2013 BCS National Champion- ship Game (in Miami). Overall, Notre Dame is 3-7 in Florida-based bowl games — and 0-6 since the 10-9 loss to No. 1 Colo- rado in the 1991 Orange Bowl when Raghib "Rocket" Ismail's 91-yard punt return in the closing minute was called back because of a clip- ping penalty. The Irish are 2-3 in the Orange Bowl, 1-2 in the Gator Bowl, 0-1 in the Champs Sports Bowl and 0-1 in the BCS National Championship Game (held in Miami). ✦ Top Moments In Florida Notre Dame is 10-16-1 all time in games played in the state of Florida. Here were their five finest moments: 1. 1975 Orange Bowl — A double-digit underdog in some circles to 11-0 and No. 1 Alabama after a season-ending 55-24 loss at USC, the Irish posted a 13-11 victory in head coach Ara Parseghian's final game, with a final-minute interception by Reggie Barnett deep in Irish territory securing the win. 2. 1989 Orange Bowl — Like in the '75 Orange Bowl, Notre Dame was coming off a national title and playing an 11-0 and No. 1 team in Colorado. After a scoreless first half highlighted by an Irish goal-line stand, head coach Lou Holtz's squad rolled to a 21-6 victory. 3. 1973 vs. Miami — The 9-0 Irish needed to defeat a Hurricanes team in the regular-season finale to play No. 1 Alabama for the national title. Miami had upset Texas and lost only 24-20 to No. 2 Okla- homa — but the Irish were virtually flawless in the 44-0 win. It was the first time the Irish finished 10-0 in 24 years. 4. 2002 vs. Florida State — Under first-year head coach Tyrone Willingham, the 7-0 Irish were nearly 10-point underdogs at Florida State (81-5 at home in its last 86 games), but the 34-24 win elevated Notre Dame to No. 4 in the country. 5. 1976 Gator Bowl — The game between 8-3 Notre Dame and 7-4 Penn State was the first between the two young powers in 48 years and advertised as a preview to the 1977 national title. The Irish notched a 20-9 victory and went on to win the championship the next season while the Nittany Lions also finished 11-1. — Lou Somogyi Call 877-630-8768 to advertise in Blue & Gold Illustrated! Want a prayer published? Call 800-421-7751 MEMORABILIA Vintage Notre Dame Memorabilia Augie's Locker Room ND Stadium Items, Jerseys, Helmets, Autographs and One of a Kind Rockne Items. COME INTO THE STORE TO SEE OUR RARE NOTRE DAME HELMET DISPLAY, 1900 - PRESENT!! Voted Best Notre Dame Collectables in the Country! 1811 South Bend Ave. South Bend , I n 46637 574-277-NDND (6363) www.augieslockerroom.com FACEBOOK.COM/AUGIESLOCKERROOM NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL GAMES on VHS or DVD for sale, from 1928 to present. Contact Peter Rahas at 7700 Golden Filly St., Las Vegas, NV 89131 or call 1-702-395-2974 ST. JUDE NOVENA - May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved & preserved throughout the world now & forever. Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for us. St. Jude, worker of miracles, pray for us. St. Jude, help of the hope- less, pray for us. Say this prayer nine times a day for nine days. Thank you St. Jude. S.N. PRAYER TO THE BLESSED MOTHER- (Never known to fail) Oh, most beautiful flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, splen- dor of Heaven. Blessed Mother of the Son of God; Immaculate Virgin, assist me in this necessity. Oh, Star of the Sea, help me and show me you are my Mother. Oh, Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succour me in my necessity. There are none that can withstand your power. Oh, Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. (3 times). Holy Mary, I place this prayer in your hands. (3 times). Sweet Mother I place this cause in your hands. (3 times). Thank you for your mercy to me and mine. Amen. This prayer must be said for 3 days and after 3 days your request will be granted and the prayer must be published. Thank you. S.N. PERSONALS M A R K E T P L A C E