The Irish are 11-5-1, with the most recent a 41-8 loss at Miami in 2017 when the Irish were 8-1, No. 3 in the CFP poll and on the cusp of a playoff bid, just like now:
Bronze Medal, 1972: The Townsend brothers shine in a hard fought 21-7 Notre Dame win at Air Force. Defensive back Mike intercepts a single game school record three passes (he would lead the nation this year with 10), while top receiver Willie catches a 23-yard pass to set up the game's first score and nabs a 13-yard touchdown pass from Tom Clements to provide a 14-0 halftime lead, which would proved to be the winning tally. The Townsends also are members of second-year head coach Digger Phelps' basketball team after football season.
Silver Medal, 1978: The first meeting ever between Notre Dame and Tennessee is also the final home game for ND's senior captains Joe Montana, Bob Golic and Jerome Heavens, the school's all-time leading rusher, who helped propel a national title a year earlier. After trailing 7-6 at halftime, a blocked punt by freshman Bob Crable sets up the Irish for the go-ahead score in a 31-14 win, the seventh straight against the nation's No. 1 schedule that is placing more emphasis on playing SEC or southern-based teams such as Alabama (1976 and 1980), Ole Miss (1977 and 1985), LSU (1981, 1984-86), South Carolina (1976, 1979), Clemson (1977 and 1979) and Tennessee (1978-79).
Gold Medal, 1989: In one of the greatest mismatches in Notre Dame Stadium history, the No. 1-ranked and reigning national champion Irish roll to a 59-6 victory over SMU, which is in its first season of coming off the NCAA "death penalty" for repeated violations. More pertinent is that this is Notre Dame's 22nd consecutive victory — breaking the school record 21 from 1946-48 that ended with a tie. It also was Senior Day, honoring Lou Holtz's first recruited class with the Irish that is led by QB Tony Rice. Later, Holtz, who told his players not to score at the end to show some mercy, is accused of "point shaving" because the Irish were favored by 53.5.
Bronze Medal, 1972: The Townsend brothers shine in a hard fought 21-7 Notre Dame win at Air Force. Defensive back Mike intercepts a single game school record three passes (he would lead the nation this year with 10), while top receiver Willie catches a 23-yard pass to set up the game's first score and nabs a 13-yard touchdown pass from Tom Clements to provide a 14-0 halftime lead, which would proved to be the winning tally. The Townsends also are members of second-year head coach Digger Phelps' basketball team after football season.
Silver Medal, 1978: The first meeting ever between Notre Dame and Tennessee is also the final home game for ND's senior captains Joe Montana, Bob Golic and Jerome Heavens, the school's all-time leading rusher, who helped propel a national title a year earlier. After trailing 7-6 at halftime, a blocked punt by freshman Bob Crable sets up the Irish for the go-ahead score in a 31-14 win, the seventh straight against the nation's No. 1 schedule that is placing more emphasis on playing SEC or southern-based teams such as Alabama (1976 and 1980), Ole Miss (1977 and 1985), LSU (1981, 1984-86), South Carolina (1976, 1979), Clemson (1977 and 1979) and Tennessee (1978-79).
Gold Medal, 1989: In one of the greatest mismatches in Notre Dame Stadium history, the No. 1-ranked and reigning national champion Irish roll to a 59-6 victory over SMU, which is in its first season of coming off the NCAA "death penalty" for repeated violations. More pertinent is that this is Notre Dame's 22nd consecutive victory — breaking the school record 21 from 1946-48 that ended with a tie. It also was Senior Day, honoring Lou Holtz's first recruited class with the Irish that is led by QB Tony Rice. Later, Holtz, who told his players not to score at the end to show some mercy, is accused of "point shaving" because the Irish were favored by 53.5.
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