Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com OCT. 26, 2019 15 UNDER THE DOME 90 Years Ago: Oct. 26, 1929 Head coach Knute Rockne, against the advice from medical personnel, makes the trip to Pittsburgh to coach from the sidelines in a wheelchair versus Carnegie Tech while battling phlebitis. Three years earlier at Carnegie Tech, Rockne's 8-0 Fighting Irish lost the national title when the Tartans pulled a stunning 19-0 upset in which Rockne was not present while taking in the Army-Navy game in Chicago (Navy would be a first-time foe in 1927). Notre Dame had outscored Carnegie Tech 111-19 in the previous four meetings from 1922-25, and was expected to dominate again before the shocking loss. The two teams did not meet in 1927, but in 1928 the Tartans again whipped Rockne's Irish by a 27-7 count — ending Notre Dame's unbeaten streak at home in a span that covered 23 years. A record audience (listed at the 66,000 capacity) for any game in Pittsburgh at the time sees the Irish prevail 7-0 in a hard-fought contest that totals only 11 first downs (eight by Notre Dame). The lone score is set up in the third quarter on a 33-yard run by Jack Elder to the Tech 17-yard line. Six plays later on fourth down, "Jumpin' Joe" Savoldi leaps over the pile for a three-yard score. Two days later, the famous "Black Monday" crash sees the Dow Jones fall nearly 13 percent as the onset of The Great Depression occurs. 40 Years Ago: Oct. 27, 1979 For the first time ever, Notre Dame wins a game — 18-17 versus South Carolina at home — when it attempts more than 40 passes. Trailing 17-3 in the second half and then 17-10 with 1:36 remaining in the contest and first down at his 20-yard line, Irish signal-caller Rusty Lisch completes five passes, the last to tight end Dean Masztak for a 14-yard touchdown with 42 seconds remaining. He then tosses the game-win- ning two-point conversion to flanker Pete Holohan (not officially recorded in passing stats) for the 18-17 win, after the defense stops the Gamecocks on their final series. Lisch finishes the afternoon completing 24 of 43 attempts for 336 yards. 35 Years Ago: Oct. 27, 1984 A 3-4 Notre Dame team under embattled fourth-year head coach Gerry Faust stuns the nation by defeating No. 6 and 5-0-1 LSU (the SEC champion that season) in "Death Valley." The Fighting Irish enter the contest on a three-game losing streak — all at home to Miami, Air Force and South Carolina — and even Faust's former hometown newspaper, The Cincinnati Enquirer, editorial- ized that it is time for the overmatched Faust to step down from his post with his 21-19-1 career record. "You could end up 4-7," ABC-TV play-by-play man Keith Jackson tells Faust before the game, noting the Irish still also have to play Penn State and at USC. "Or 7-4," replied the always optimistic Faust. Indeed, while outscoring the Tigers 30-7 over a 53-minute span and allowing a late score in the clos- ing seconds, Notre Dame pulls off the 30-22 upset. Running back Allen Pinkett ties a single-game school record with 40 carries that total 162 yards, quarterback Steve Beuerlein efficiently completes 16 of 23 passes for 168 yards, and John Carney kicks three field goals. Following the victory, Faust is put on the cover of Sports Illustrated with his quote "I'm Gonna Make It!" The story inside includes a two-page spread of him praying in front of Notre Dame's famed Grotto with the headline, "Somebody Up There May Be Listening." 30 Years Ago: Oct. 28, 1989 No. 1-ranked Notre Dame crushes unbeaten and No. 7 Pitt 45-7 for its 20th consecutive victory, one short of tying the school record. It also is the seventh straight win over a top-10 ranked opponent, another school record. Headlining Notre Dame's six touchdowns are a 54-yard interception return by free safety Pat Terrell and a 50-yard run by Raghib "Rocket" Ismail. — Lou Somogyi Anniversaries In Notre Dame Football History: Oct. 20-28 Quarterback Rusty Lisch (No. 6) connected on 24 of 43 passes for 336 yards to lead a thrilling 18-17 come- back victory against South Carolina in 1979. He com- pleted the game-winning two-point conversion pass to Pete Holohan (No. 31). PHOTO COURTESY NOTRE DAME MEDIA RELATIONS YOU DON'T WAIT FOR MAIL DELIVERY! HAVE TO The digital edition of Blue & Gold Illustrated is available Sundays at BlueGoldOnline.com The Blue & Gold Illustrated digital edition includes all the great content you find in your print edition, plus: ✦ Searchable archive ✦ Downloadable PDFs ✦ Available on computers and tablets Visit BlueGoldOnline.com for the latest issue every Sunday! It's already part of your subscription! PLUS: The Blue Gold Report Midweek Update! • Emailed Every Pre-Game Wednesday • Depth Charts And Rosters For Both Teams • Updated Statistics • Columns and Much More! • Can be viewed on your computer, phone or tablet, or printed out to read later. To receive notifications, please send your email address to: newsletter@blueandgold.com. Customer Service: 1-800-421-7751