Aug. 29, 2005

According to Irish fans, it was Notre Dame’s landmark 31-30 win over top-rated Miami in 1988 in a game that keynoted that Irish national championship season.

As part of Notre Dame Stadium’s 75th anniversary celebration this season, the University’s official athletics web site, www.und.com, compiled a list of the greatest wins in Notre Dame Stadium history and asked Irish fans to vote on the most memorable victories.

The voting took place over two months this past summer with 45 games on the ballot. After tabulations, here are a few trends from the voting:

• According to voters, the greatest era in Notre Dame Stadium history was 1988 through 1993. Seven of the top 10 games fall into this time frame, including the top three choices by fans (1988 vs. #1 Miami, 1993 vs. #1 Florida State and 1990 vs. #2 Miami).
• Wins over longtime rivals (USC, Michigan) resonate among the Irish faithful. Twelve of the top 20 games selected were wins over USC (six) and Michigan (six).
• Signature moments cause a game to stand out in Notre Dame fans’ memories. “The Snow Bowl” (Notre Dame vs. Penn State in 1992) was ranked fifth. “The Green Jersey Game” (Notre Dame vs. USC in 1977) was ranked fourth. “The Reggie Ho Game” (Notre Dame vs. Michigan in 1988) was ranked sixth. “The Harry ‘O’ Kick” (Notre Dame vs. Michigan in 1980) was ranked 10th.
• The new configuration of Notre Dame Stadium (rededicated in 1997) has yet to see its share of greatest victories. Notre Dame’s recent upset wins over Michigan (2002 and 2004) were 11th and 12th on the list, but a win over Purdue (1998) was only able to break into the top 30.
• Notre Dame fans remember recent games more fondly than those played in the past. Of the top 20 games selected, only six were played before 1977.

Here is the final top 10 list of Greatest Victories in Notre Dame Stadium, as voted on by Notre Dame fans on www.und.com.

2.	1993	Nov. 13	#2	#1 Florida State	31-24
After #1 Florida State scores on its first drive, Notre Dame answers with 21 straight points for a 21-7 halftime lead. Notre Dame answers immediately with an 80-yard touchdown drive during which Irish coach Lou Holtz catches the vaunted Florida State defense on its heels with a 32-yard touchdown reverse by flanker Adrian Jarrell. The Irish rush for 239 yard and four touchdowns (Florida State had given up just four rushing touchdowns the entire season entering the game), led by 122 yards from Lee Becton – who had a 26-yard scoring jaunt. Defensive back Jeff Burris notches two of the rushing touchdowns from Notre Dame’s full-house goal-line backfield alignment. Eventual Heisman Trophy winner Charlie Ward is solid for Florida State, throwing for 297 yards and rushing for 74 more, but his last minute desperation heave at the end of the game is knocked down by Shawn Wooden – ending Florida State’s 16-game win streak.

3.	1990	Oct. 20	#6	#2 Miami	29-20
Keyed by five field goals from Craig Hentrich, a 94-yard kickoff return by Rocket Ismail and a staunch red-zone defense, Notre Dame eliminates Miami from national championship consideration in the most-recent meeting of the heated rivalry — handing the Hurricanes their second loss of the season. Notre Dame rushes for 276 yards against the second-ranked defense in the nation, led by Ismail (100 yards) and Rodney Culver (72). The Irish also pick off Heisman Trophy candidate Craig Erickson two times and hold Miami to just eight yards rushing in the third quarter.

4.	1977	Oct. 22	#11	#5 USC	49-19
While Notre Dame had worn green jerseys prior to this game, this epic contest will forever be known as “The Green Jersey Game.” Notre Dame warms up in its traditional navy blue uniforms, but finds brand new green jerseys waiting in the locker room before kickoff. Adding to the pre-game drama, a Trojan horse, built by 20 Notre Dame students, is wheeled into the Stadium as the Irish take the field. The “Green Machine” is born and the Irish would eventually don their green jerseys for six more victories during the season and claim the national championship. Joe Montana throws for 167 yards, two touchdowns (to Ken MacAfee) and rushes for two more scores. Notre Dame hands USC its worse defeat since 1966 (a 51-0 demolition in Los Angeles by an Ara Parseghian team).

5.	1992	Nov. 14	#8	#22 Penn State	17-16
“The Snow Bowl.” Notre Dame scores its only touchdown of the game with 20 seconds remaining when Rick Mirer, playing his final home game in an Irish uniform, hits Jerome Bettis over the middle for a four-yard touchdown pass. On the two-point conversion attempt, among a persistent snowfall covering the Notre Dame Stadium turf, Mirer scrambles right until he finds Reggie Brooks in the back of the end zone for the game-winning conversion. Brooks rushes for 78 yards in the game as Penn State holds Notre Dame’s top-rated offense to 344 total yards, while the Irish defense is equally stingy — holding the Nittany Lions to 238 total yards. Mirer finishes the game 12 of 23 for 164 yards.

7.	1990	Sept. 15	#1	#4 Michigan	28-24
Rick Mirer makes his first start in Notre Dame Stadium and delivers, hitting Adrian Jarrell with a game-winning 18-yard touchdown strike with 1:40 remaining. Mirer’s hookup with Jarrell caps an impressive nine-play, 76-yard drive. Michigan leads the game by 10 points entering the fourth quarter, but the Irish answer with 14 points in the final 15 minutes on two long drives. Two big interceptions by the Irish defense play a part in the victory as well. With Michigan looking to seal the game in the fourth quarter with another score, Michael Stonebreaker intercepts Elvis Grbac in the end zone. Grbac is then picked off on Michigan’s final drive by future 1,000-yard rusher Reggie Brooks, for the final 28-24 victory.

The rest of the top 20 victories…