Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com MAY 2018 17 UNDER THE DOME 50 Years Ago: May 11, 1968 For the first time ever, Notre Dame's spring finale takes on a new format known as the Blue-Gold Game. Beginning in 1929 under Knute Rockne and through 1967, spring drills had ended with the annual Old-Timers Game in which the current Notre Dame team would scrimmage against former players, some almost two decades removed. As the years passed it became more of a non-competitive envi- ronment — and was even perilous to some of the older players — so in 1968 fifth-year head coach Ara Parseghian made it into a scrimmage between the starting Blue team versus the reserve Gold unit. The inaugural event sees the Blue team led by third-year starting quarterback Terry Hanratty record a 33-14 victory, highlighted by nine completions for 189 yards and a touchdown to All-American Jim Seymour. However, 163-pound freshman quarterback Joe Theismann keeps the game interesting against the No. 1 defense by completing 20 of 43 passes for 277 yards while adding 33 rushing yards. Theismann's performance throughout the spring prompts Parseghian to switch No. 2 and fellow senior quarterback Coley O'Brien — who helped the Irish to the 1966 national title by rallying against No. 2 Michigan State and then starting in a 51-0 defeat of Pac-8 champ USC — to running back so Theismann can be groomed as Hanratty's successor. 45 Years Ago: May 5, 1973 Following a 40-6 Orange Bowl debacle versus Nebraska that left Notre Dame head coach Ara Par- seghian with his worst record (8-3) and finish (No. 14) in nine seasons with the Fighting Irish, spring practice concludes with the Blue-Gold Game on the same day that Secretariat finishes with a record 1:59.40 time in the Kentucky Derby (a mark that still remains). The No. 1 Blue team easily wins 45-6 while halfbacks Al Samuel and Art Best run for 119 and 117 yards, respectively. Samuel plays in place of 1972 leading rusher Eric Penick, who is sidelined with an injury. Starting quarterback Tom Clements completes 6 of 10 passes for 108 yards with two interceptions and tosses a 19-yard touchdown pass to newly named captain Dave Casper, who moved to tight end after starting at offensive tackle the previous two seasons. 40 Years Ago: May 2, 1978 Reigning national champion Notre Dame has three players selected among the top 11 in the NFL Draft: tight end Ken MacAfee at No. 7 (San Francisco), defensive end Ross Browner No. 8 (Cincinnati) and defen- sive back Luther Bradley No. 11 (Detroit). It is the first time since 1955 with quar- terback Ralph Guglielmi (No. 4), tackle Frank Varrichione (No. 6) and running back Joe Heap (No. 8) the Irish have such representation in the draft (with five more selected in later rounds in 1978). MacAfee was the Walter Camp Award recipient and finished third in the Heisman balloting, Browner had won the Outland, Lombardi and Maxwell Awards during his career, and consensus All-American Brad- ley set a new school standard for career interceptions (17). 10 Years Ago: May 31, 2008 In a bolt from the blue — or Blue Devils — 57-year-old Notre Dame athletics direc- tor Kevin White resigns after eight years to take the same post at Duke University. After Joe Avella left Duke as the AD to move to LSU, White is contacted as an unpaid consultant to help the Blue Devils athletic department fill the vacancy. By May 28 White becomes the top candidate after an advisory meeting in New York, and the backlash from a 3-9 Notre Dame finish in football the previous fall helps precipitate the move. Notre Dame deputy athletics director Missy Conboy is named interim athletics director while the school begins its search. — Lou Somogyi Anniversaries In Notre Dame Athletics History: May BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED PO Box 2331 Durham, NC 27702 www.BlueGoldOnline.com 1-800-421-7751 DELIVERY LIMITED TO CONTINENTAL U.S. PLEASE ADD SALES TAX FOR ITEMS SHIPPING TO: (NC 7.5%, IN 7%, MI 6%) GRILL MAT $49.95 + FREE S&H Available in 2 Styles: ND or Leprechaun (Item #6622-ND or #6622-LEP) (Item #6621) CUSTOM GRILL COVERS Hand-made in the USA using the finest commercial grade vinyl. Mold-resistant, breathable vinyl with drawstring bottom. Logo printed with UV-resistant ink. AVAILABLE IN 2 SIZES & 3 LOGOS: Small: 60" wide x 36" tall x 21" deep $51.95 + $15.00 S&H Large: 72" wide x 36" tall x 21" deep $54.95 + $15.00 S&H Please allow up to 2 weeks for delivery. Grill covers are made to order and shipped direct from the manufacturer. Tight end Ken MacAfee (above) was one of three Irish players taken within the top 11 selections of the 1978 NFL Draft, going No. 7 overall. The reigning national champs also had Ross Browner (No. 8) and Luther Bradley (No. 11) chosen. PHOTO COURTESY NOTRE DAME MEDIA RELATIONS