The Irish are 11-4, most recently defeating Army 44-6 in 2016 for its final win of a miserable 4-8 season.
Bronze Medal, 1949: With Notre Dame-Army having ended their series that was played mostly in New York City (especially Yankee Stadium) from 1913-47, North Carolina agrees to fill in for this season at NYC. Led by Heisman runner-up Charlie "Choo Choo" Justice, the Tar Heels take an early 6-0 lead before Heisman winner Leon Hart and the No. 1 Irish record their 35th straight game without a loss, 42-6. It is the first meeting with the Tar Heels.
Silver Medal, 1938: For the first time since the AP poll began two years earlier, 7-0 Notre Dame moves to No. 1 following a 19-0 shutout at home of that year's Big 10 champ, Minnesota, a superpower back then under Bernie Bierman with national titles in 1936, 1940 and 1941. It also is the last meeting with the Golden Gophers, the longest current ND drought with any Big Ten foe.
Gold Medal, 1977: In my opinion, this is one of the five most underrated or overshadowed victories in Notre Dame history. En route to the national title, the No. 5-ranked Green Machine enters the fourth quarter at Death Valley trailing 17-7 in its first meeting ever with Clemson, ranked No. 15. The Irish overcome some shady officiating, driving about 110 yards while overcoming calls to cut it to 17-14, and then win 21-17 on a second sneak in for a TD by QB Joe Montana. Clemson had ND on the ropes at 17-7 before fumbling at the Irish 15. An earlier Clemson TD on fourth down was aided by an official's "block" that is included in this video.
Bronze Medal, 1949: With Notre Dame-Army having ended their series that was played mostly in New York City (especially Yankee Stadium) from 1913-47, North Carolina agrees to fill in for this season at NYC. Led by Heisman runner-up Charlie "Choo Choo" Justice, the Tar Heels take an early 6-0 lead before Heisman winner Leon Hart and the No. 1 Irish record their 35th straight game without a loss, 42-6. It is the first meeting with the Tar Heels.
Silver Medal, 1938: For the first time since the AP poll began two years earlier, 7-0 Notre Dame moves to No. 1 following a 19-0 shutout at home of that year's Big 10 champ, Minnesota, a superpower back then under Bernie Bierman with national titles in 1936, 1940 and 1941. It also is the last meeting with the Golden Gophers, the longest current ND drought with any Big Ten foe.
Gold Medal, 1977: In my opinion, this is one of the five most underrated or overshadowed victories in Notre Dame history. En route to the national title, the No. 5-ranked Green Machine enters the fourth quarter at Death Valley trailing 17-7 in its first meeting ever with Clemson, ranked No. 15. The Irish overcome some shady officiating, driving about 110 yards while overcoming calls to cut it to 17-14, and then win 21-17 on a second sneak in for a TD by QB Joe Montana. Clemson had ND on the ropes at 17-7 before fumbling at the Irish 15. An earlier Clemson TD on fourth down was aided by an official's "block" that is included in this video.
