One of the "losingest" days in the program's history at 7-9 — although the last two Nov. 10's came during 12-0 regular seasons with a 42-13 win over FSU in 2018 and 21-6 at BC in 2012.
Bronze Medal, 1973: Unbeaten (7-0) and No. 5-ranked Notre Dame travels to resurgent and No. 20 Pitt, led by freshman phenom running back Tony Dorsett and new head coach Johnny Majors. On a blustery, snowy day that sees Notre Dame QB Tom Clements pass only four times, the Irish overcome 209 yards rushing by Dorsett — a record against Notre Dame he would break three years later — with a 31-10 win after leading only 17-10 at one point in the second half. Propelling the eventual national champs is fullback Wayne "The Train" Bullock, who scores all four touchdowns (three rushing and one on a reception) while amassing 167 yards on 28 carries.
Silver Medal, 1990: No. 1 Notre Dame travels to No. 9 Tennessee (the SEC champ that year) as the underdog and captures the 34-29 thriller when cornerback Rod Smith intercepts a pass into the end zone in the closing seconds. Ricky Watters rushes for 66- and 10-yard scores among his career high 174 yards on the ground, and Rocket Ismail awes the nation with his breathtaking "beyond SEC speed" to the edge on a 44-yard TD scamper that made the score 34-23 late in the contest. Go to 42:06 of this video for that run.
Gold Medal, 1928: On this day, Knute Rockne's famous "Win One For The Gipper" speech versus Army in Yankee Stadium becomes immortalized in Americana in the 12-6 win versus superpower and unbeaten Army, which had defeated the Irish 18-0 the year prior. Jack Chevigny dives over for the second-half score that ties it at 6-6. Late in the contest on fourth-and-long John Niemiec heaved a long pass to rangy Johnny "One Play" O'Brien, who crossed the end zone. The Irish then make a dramatic goal-line stand at the one-foot line to end the game.
Bronze Medal, 1973: Unbeaten (7-0) and No. 5-ranked Notre Dame travels to resurgent and No. 20 Pitt, led by freshman phenom running back Tony Dorsett and new head coach Johnny Majors. On a blustery, snowy day that sees Notre Dame QB Tom Clements pass only four times, the Irish overcome 209 yards rushing by Dorsett — a record against Notre Dame he would break three years later — with a 31-10 win after leading only 17-10 at one point in the second half. Propelling the eventual national champs is fullback Wayne "The Train" Bullock, who scores all four touchdowns (three rushing and one on a reception) while amassing 167 yards on 28 carries.
Silver Medal, 1990: No. 1 Notre Dame travels to No. 9 Tennessee (the SEC champ that year) as the underdog and captures the 34-29 thriller when cornerback Rod Smith intercepts a pass into the end zone in the closing seconds. Ricky Watters rushes for 66- and 10-yard scores among his career high 174 yards on the ground, and Rocket Ismail awes the nation with his breathtaking "beyond SEC speed" to the edge on a 44-yard TD scamper that made the score 34-23 late in the contest. Go to 42:06 of this video for that run.
Gold Medal, 1928: On this day, Knute Rockne's famous "Win One For The Gipper" speech versus Army in Yankee Stadium becomes immortalized in Americana in the 12-6 win versus superpower and unbeaten Army, which had defeated the Irish 18-0 the year prior. Jack Chevigny dives over for the second-half score that ties it at 6-6. Late in the contest on fourth-and-long John Niemiec heaved a long pass to rangy Johnny "One Play" O'Brien, who crossed the end zone. The Irish then make a dramatic goal-line stand at the one-foot line to end the game.
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