Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com NOV. 27, 2017 15 UNDER THE DOME 80 Years Ago: Nov. 27, 1937 After tearing off a 70-yard run, Irish running back Mario "Motts" Tonelli scores from six yards out with 1:45 remaining to lift No. 9 Notre Dame to a 13-6 victory versus USC to cap the season with a 6-2-1 record. In World War II, Tonelli would miraculously survive the Bataan Death March and two and a half years of imprisonment. One of the most surreal experiences in a death camp occurred when his 1939 class ring is taken from him. Minutes later, a Japanese officer approached Tonelli. "I was educated in America," the officer explained. "At the University of Southern Cali- fornia. I know a little about the famous Notre Dame football team. I watched you beat USC in 1937. I know how much this ring means to you, so I wanted to get it back to you." The ring would remain with Tonelli, who later player professional football, through his death in 2003. 65 Years Ago: Nov. 29, 1952 Ranked No. 2 in the country with a 9-0 re- cord while outscoring its opponents 247-38, USC arrives in frigid South Bend with designs on the national title in its game against No. 7 Notre Dame. Rather than get acclimated and practice in the snow and cold at Notre Dame Stadium, the Trojans opt to work out on the parquet-floored ballroom of a local hotel. The next day, USC has more turnovers (eight, five of them interceptions) than first downs (five) in the inclement conditions. The Trojans are shut out 9-0 by head coach Frank Leahy's team that would finish No. 3 at 7-2-1 after defeating four conference champions during the season: Purdue (co-champ in the Big Ten), Texas (SWC), Oklahoma (Big 8) and USC (Pac-8), and tying a fifth in Penn (Ivy). 25 Years Ago: Nov. 28, 1992 Led by senior running back Reggie Brooks, one of many Fighting Irish players slowed by flu-like symp- toms, No. 5 Notre Dame defeats No. 19 USC 31-23 to record its 10th straight conquest of the Trojans and finish the regular season 10-1-1. Brooks' 19 carries total 227 yards and three touchdowns, most notably a breathtaking 55-yard gallop with 1:19 left in the second quarter to provide a 17-13 lead at halftime. With that performance, which would help Brooks finish fifth in the Heisman Trophy balloting, he completes the year with 1,343 rushing yards and 8.042 yards per carry, barely missing the Notre Dame single-season school-record 8.10 set by George Gipp in 1920. 5 Years Ago: Nov. 24, 2012 No. 1-ranked Notre Dame clinches a berth in the BCS National Championship Game to be played on Jan. 7, 2013, with a 22-13 victory at USC, and joins the 1988 and 1989 juggernauts as the lone Irish teams to reach 12 victories. Kyle Brindza ties a school record with five field goals converted, highlighted by a career-long 52-yarder to end the first half, running back Theo Riddick carries 20 times for 146 yards and the team's lone touch- down, linebacker Manti Te'o records his amazing seventh interception of the season, and the nation's No. 1 defense makes a late goal-line stand to douse any final hope by the Trojans, who finish the regular season 7-5. The victory continues a remarkable 24-year pattern of the Irish coming out of nowhere to vie to a title. • In 1964, following a 34-45 run from 1956-63 (including 2-7 in 1963), first-year head coach Ara Par- seghian leads the Irish to No. 1 before a last-minute loss in the finale at USC. • Twenty-four years later, after a seven-year run of 43-36-1 and losing a minimum of four games each time, third-year head coach Lou Holtz leads a 12-0 national title campaign. • And now 24 years later again, after five straight five-loss seasons, third-year head coach Brian Kelly guides a remarkable 12-0 finish in the regular season. Can't wait until 2036! — Lou Somogyi Anniversaries In Notre Dame Football History: Nov. 24-30 On. Nov. 27, 1937, Mario "Motts" Tonelli followed a 70-yard run with a six-yard scoring scamper with 1:45 remaining to lift No. 9 Notre Dame to a 13-6 win over USC. PHOTO COURTESY NOTRE DAME MEDIA RELATIONS BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED PO Box 2331 • Durham, NC 27702 1-800-421-7751 Visit our online store! www.BlueGoldOnline.com Delivery limited to continental U.S. Please Add Sales Tax For Items Shipping To: (NC 7.5%, IN 7%, MI 6%) Notre Dame CLEARANCE LIMITED QUANTITIES Offer Good While Supply Lasts • Genuine full-grain leather • Hand-embossed Leprechaun logo • Holds standard 8.5 x 11 notepad • 3 interior pockets (2 small, 1 large) • Magnetic closure • Choice of black or brown sable Item #6573 Leather PadFolio $17.95 + $6.50 S&H (Reg. $24.95) Item #6214 Father Ted Hesburgh (Reg. $16.95) $14.95 $4.00 S&H Item #6563 Leather TriFold Wallet $18.95 FREE S&H (Reg. $24.95+S&H) Only Black Available