Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com DECEMBER 2018 15 UNDER THE DOME 85 Years Ago: Dec. 2, 1933 In one of the most stunning upsets in Notre Dame history, the 2-5-1 Fighting Irish under maligned third-year head coach Hunk Anderson end 9-0 Army's hope of clinching the national title with a 13-12 victory in Yankee Stadium. Notre Dame had scored only 19 points in the first eight contests — zero in four home games — and trailed the Black Knights 12-0 late in the third quarter. That's when Irish senior lineman Ed "Moose" Krause, who earlier had blocked a point after try, blocked a quick kick. It set up a short touchdown drive to close the gap to 12-7, following a drop kick by Buddy Bonar for the point after. Minutes later, Army was forced to punt from the end zone. Notre Dame end Wayne Millner blocked it and fell on the ball past the goal line for the winning points in what would be Anderson's final game. 75 Years Ago: Nov. 28, 1943 On one of the most bittersweet days ever in Notre Dame's football annals, the 9-0 and No. 1-ranked Fighting Irish lose 19-14 to Great Lakes on a 46-yard "Hail Mary" touchdown pass with 33 seconds remaining. Great Lakes was one of numerous World War II semi-pro football teams comprised of former and future college football stars, including 1946-49 Irish halfback Emil "Six Yard" Sitko. That's because many college teams, especially most of the SEC, suspend football, leaving 76 teams at the major college level. On the same day, Notre Dame senior Irish quarterback Angelo Bertelli, who played the first six games before beginning his officer training Nov. 1 at Parris Island, S.C., is wired a telegram that he is the school's first winner of the Heisman Trophy, initially presented in 1935. Despite the setback to Great Lakes, Notre Dame still wins the national title — the only team ever to do so after losing its final game — while capturing 86 of the 131 first-place votes from the Associated Press. The justification is the 9-1 Irish defeated the teams that finished No. 2 (semi-pro Iowa Pre-Flight, 14-13), No. 3 (Michigan, 35-12), No. 4 (Navy, 33-6), No. 9 (Northwestern, 25-6), No. 11 (Army, 26-0) and No. 13 (Georgia Tech, 55-13). Great Lakes finished No. 6. 65 Years Ago: Dec. 5, 1953 Unbeknownst at the time, 45-year-old Frank Leahy coaches his final game ever in a 40-14 rout of SMU at Notre Dame Stadium. It is the sixth time in 11 seasons under his direction the No. 2-ranked Fighting Irish finish unbeaten (9-0-1). Senior Johnny Lattner, who later in the month would become Leahy's fourth Heis- man winner in his last nine seasons, leads the charge with 84 rushing yards with a score, a 24-yard touchdown catch and a 55-yard pass to set up one of three touchdown runs by fullback Neil Worden. Lattner also stars on defense, and his lone punt in the game travels 47 yards. 45 Years Ago: Dec. 1, 1973 For the first time in 24 years, and only the fourth time ever, Notre Dame's record is 10-0 following a 44-0 romp at Miami in the regular-season finale. The Hurricanes earlier in the year had defeated preseason No. 1 Texas and lost only 24-20 to current No. 2 Oklahoma. With 448 rushing yards (it outgained Miami 574-168 overall), head coach Ara Parseghian's Fighting Irish set a single-season school rushing standard of 350.2 yards per game that still stands. Fullback Wayne "The Train" Bullock rushes for 116 yard and two scores, halfbacks Art Best and Eric Penick add 92 and 69, respectively, and quarterback Tom Clements finds wideout Pete Demmerle on 21- and seven-yard touchdown passes. The victory comes 11 months to the day that Parseghian suffered his worst loss ever at Notre Dame on that same Orange Bowl field, 40-6 to Nebraska. All that remains between a national title is a win over No. 1 Alabama in the Sugar Bowl Dec. 31. — Lou Somogyi Anniversaries In Notre Dame Football History: Nov. 29-Dec. 5 ND Banners & Flags BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED PO Box 2331 • Durham, NC 27702 1-800-421-7751 Visit our online store! www.BlueGoldOnline.com BANNERS (28"x40") $24.95 + $4 S&H GARDEN FLAGS $14.95 + $2 S&H (Banners and Flags are Single-Sided Display poles not included) Please add sales tax if shipping to: IN (7%), MI (6%), and NC (7.5%) LIFE IS GOOD BANNERS "Irish Football" (Item #6143) "Go Irish" (Item #6142) "Not All Who Wander Are Lost" (Item #6139) "ND Irish" Banner (Item #6138) "Mickey" Banner (Item #6135) GARDEN FLAGS Mickey (Item #6136) "ND" (Item #6137) Head coach Frank Leahy and 1953 captain Dan Penza (83) shared their joy after a 40-14 win ver- sus SMU to end the 9-0-1 season. PHOTO COURTESY FIGHTING IRISH DIGITAL MEDIA