July 29, 2009
Most of the time, the instant replay system in college football works as it should. Few Notre Dame fans have forgotten the first big replay decision in Irish football history –
In the final game of the 2007 season, Notre Dame earned its third win of the year 21-14 over Stanford. Robert Hughes recorded the final points of the game for the Irish with a six-yard touchdown run with just over six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
What no Notre Dame fan has forgotten, however, is that on the first drive of the second half for the Irish, quarterback Jimmy Clausen threw a deep touchdown pass to David Grimes in the back of the endzone.
The ball looked to be overthrown. Grimes looked like he was going to run out of room, but did not give up on the play. He dove, made a spectacular catch and the official (in perfect position to see the play) made the touchdown call.
Unfortunately, the play was overruled by the replay officials – watch the video, study it from every angle – no one can justify why Grimes was robbed of a touchdown. But for Notre Dame fans and und.com – we still remember the effort as one of the greatest catches in Notre Dame football history.
When und.com launched its redesigned site on July 8, 2009, we asked for Irish fans to vote for the top plays of the Charlie Weis era. After close to 13,000 votes, Notre Dame fans have determined the top 10 plays since 2005 – and we will be unveiling them one at a time over the next 10 business days until fall football practice begins on Aug. 8.
Grimes’ catch is #8 on the list – check back tomorrow as we continue the countdown to #1.