Most Memorable Plays Ever

[Irish#1]

Thought this would be a fun topic.

What are you favorite and/or most memorable plays you have seen as an Irish fan? These don't have to be game winning plays. Feel free to post a clip if you have them.

1973 Sugar Bowl - Al Hunter returns KO for TD
1973 Sugar Bowl - 3rd down inside their own 10. Nobody expects the Irish to throw, but Ara calls a deep out to a TE that had only had like three catches all season. The completion allowed the Irish to keep the ball and run the clock out securing the NC.
1978 Cotton Bowl - Ross Browner is so fast off the line he almost intercepts the pitch to Earl Campbell, but he causes the fumble the Irish recover. Irish dominate the game beating the #1 ranked Horns and win the NC.
1980 - Harry Oliver kicks 51yd FG to beat Michigan as time expires.
1973 - Eric Penick breaks off an 85yd TD against USC in rout to beating the Trojans.
1989 - The Rocket runs two KO's back for TD's against Michigan.
2006 - Quinn to Smardzija to beat UCLA.
2012 - Goal line stand against Stanford preserves perfect season.
1979 Montana to Haines to rally Irish past Houston for Cotton Bowl win.

 

[blueNDgold44]

Dayne Crist to Rudolph against scUM
Stanford Goal Line Stand in '12

And on a bad note, Gary Gray being Gary Gray against scUM.

 

[mick2]

06 quinn to samardzija still brings tears to me eyes. I watched that game with my dad at the bar and we absolutely went bananas after that. would have loved to have been in the stadium for that.

 

[GATTACA!]

06 quinn to samardzija still brings tears to me eyes. I watched that game with my dad at the bar and we absolutely went bananas after that. would have loved to have been in the stadium for that.

This was my first thought too. My Mom and Dad (already angry to be missing most of the game) where driving to a wedding way out in the sticks somewhere. The radio signal was bad, so unable to listen to most of the ending my Dad assumed ND lost. I'll never forget his reaction when I called him and told him what happened, he thought I was full of shit.

 

[IrishLax]

'05 Zibby punt return versus USC... and the Bush Push

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Stanford goal line stand.
(multiple plays, but still)

 

[Kaneyoufeelit]

The last play against Stanford. It was my brother's first game in Notre Dame Stadium and I will never forget jumping up and down hugging him after that play.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Irish8248]

best: Goal line v Stanford. I was at the game and the place was rocking

worst: Ambrose Wooden JR on 3Rd and long vs USC

 

[Kaneyoufeelit]

best: Goal line v Stanford. I was at the game and the place was rocking

worst: Ambrose Wooden JR on 3Rd and long vs USC

Your sig shows my reaction to that play. Thanks for bringing it up

 

[philipm31]

Tim Brown vs MSU for the second time
Tim Brown vs USC at the Coliseum to set up the GW FG

Pat Terrell vs MIA in 88
Rice vs USC in 88
Honorable Mention: Smagala INT for TD (particularly the CRUSHING block on Peete)

Rocket vs UM in 89
Rocket vs MIA in 90 (the entire GAME was amazing but he was entire team for most of that game)

Bettis vs Gators in the Cheerios Bowl (that final TD run was so apropos of the team's approach that game)*Full Disclosure: I was at the MIA in 90 and the Sugar Bowl vs the Gators so I am definitely biased towards those two plays.

Memorable on another level for different reasons is the 1983 Liberty Bowl, BC vs ND. My first Irish game in person.

So many to choose from. This really could be turned into a poll at some point, just need to see how many plays, etc keep coming up.

 

[Norcal Irish]

Notre Dame vs. Washington 2009. Back to Back Goal Line Stands!

 

[Black Irish]

Bad: Rocket Ismail's TD return getting called back on a suspect clipping call. And Michigan's comeback in 2011.

Good: Goal line stand against Stanford in 2012.

 

[alohagoirish]

I loved the 50 yard TD run by Bettis in the Sugar Bowl against Florida and Spurrier. That run had this guy is special written all over it.

 

[hack15]

1988 Stan Smagala's interception vs. sc for a touchdown! Best part of the play for me was Frank Stam's block on peete!!!

Go Irish!

 

[BGIF]

3 TD Underdog Irish End Sooners 47 Game Win Streak

3 TD Underdog Irish End Sooners 47 Game Win Streak

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/YvKb9dXIk3U?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


ND was the last team to beat the Sooners before they started the streak.


<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/mCl2rFPUywU?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Irish#1]

Thought this would be a fun topic.

What are you favorite and/or most memorable plays you have seen as an Irish fan? These don't have to be game winning plays. Feel free to post a clip if you have them.

1973 Sugar Bowl - Al Hunter returns KO for TD
1973 Sugar Bowl - 3rd down inside their own 10. Nobody expects the Irish to throw, but Ara calls a deep out to a TE that had only had like three catches all season. The completion allowed the Irish to keep the ball and run the clock out securing the NC.
1978 Cotton Bowl - Ross Browner is so fast off the line he almost intercepts the pitch to Earl Campbell, but he causes the fumble the Irish recover. Irish dominate the game beating the #1 ranked Horns and win the NC.
1980 - Harry Oliver kicks 51yd FG to beat Michigan as time expires.
1973 - Eric Penick breaks off an 85yd TD against USC in rout to beating the Trojans.
1989 - The Rocket runs two KO's back for TD's against Michigan.
2006 - Quinn to Smardzija to beat UCLA.
2012 - Goal line stand against Stanford preserves perfect season.
1979 Montana to Haines to rally Irish past Houston for Cotton Bowl win.

Another one I forgot about
1979 - Bob Crable leaps to block game winning FG attempt by Michigan.

 

[goldandblue]

Such a heartbreaking call....

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/sqC_Br3cDJg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[koonja]

Dayne Crist to Rudolph against scUMStanford Goal Line Stand in '12

And on a bad note, Gary Gray being Gary Gray against scUM.

'05 Zibby punt return versus USC... and the Bush Push

These two for me. I was at the Rudolph TD game and it was the first time in my life I cried tears of joy. Still unsure if that makes me awesome or weak, lol.

 

[Irish8248]

Your sig shows my reaction to that play. Thanks for bringing it up

I know what you mean! Literally, and I do mean literally, the only reason I can bring this play up and not become more enraged than the hulk, is because of what happened to Ronald Johnson was far worse. After that drop it was like a weight was lifted off me.and the highlights of 3rd long were erased. So for that, I thank you Ronald Johnson and your sure hands.

 

[notredomer23]

best: Goal line v Stanford. I was at the game and the place was rocking

worst: Ambrose Wooden JR on 3Rd and long vs USC

Not to nitpick but it was actually 4th and 9. still haunts me

 

[IrishLion]

The Zibby punt return in '05 for me.

I have never been so jacked up after a football play.

Shrugging off three tacklers, with a stiff arm at the end? And the best part was when started tugging on the ND on his jersey after he scored. I wanted to break shit after that score. That was a play that made you think ND was about to roll not just the game but the rest of the season.

After that, I was pretty amped about Terrail Lambert's pic-6 against Sparty in '06 to give ND the lead on that crazy comeback (after an Ndukwe strip/fumble recovery), and the next drive his INT off the back of the MSU receiver. We did some jumping around after that turn of events.

 

[T Town Tommy]

No 1988 stop on the Hurricane two point conversion try in the 31-30 Irish win?

edit: see phillip31 has it mentioned above.

 

[Irish#1]

The Zibby punt return in '05 for me.

I have never been so jacked up after a football play.

Shrugging off three tacklers, with a stiff arm at the end? And the best part was when started tugging on the ND on his jersey after he scored. I wanted to break shit after that score. That was a play that made you think ND was about to roll not just the game but the rest of the season.

After that, I was pretty amped about Terrail Lambert's pic-6 against Sparty in '06 to give ND the lead on that crazy comeback (after an Ndukwe strip/fumble recovery), and the next drive his INT off the back of the MSU receiver. We did some jumping around after that turn of events.

That was just crazy. Sparty had pretty much dominated that game until then.

 

[GoIrish41]

Bad: Rocket Ismail's TD return getting called back on a suspect clipping call. And Michigan's comeback in 2011.

Good: Goal line stand against Stanford in 2012.

Might be the biggest emotional swing I have ever experienced in my life. Sheer joy to heart-stomping agony in a matter of seconds.

 

[Irish#1]

06 quinn to samardzija still brings tears to me eyes. I watched that game with my dad at the bar and we absolutely went bananas after that. would have loved to have been in the stadium for that.

I was there with one of my sons. We were near the EZ that JS scored in. It was crazy and the look of all the UCLA fans was priceless. We had a father and his little son (10-12?) sitting next to us and he decided to leave right before the Irish got the ball back for the winning drive. We wondered what he must have been thinking when he heard the stadium erupt.

 

[irishfan]

Harrison Smith's INT to seal the win at USC in 2010. Was beginning to think we would never beat them ever again, and really couldn't comprehend the fact that we beat USC.

Also, small play but Brindza's FG against OU to put ND up 10 with 3 minutes left. It, again, was one of those moments where I couldn't believe ND just beat Oklahoma.

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

How about the goal line stand against Penn State in 1992? Where Demetrius Dubose and I can't remember who else crushed the PSU back in midair.

 

[koonja]

I wasn't around for this one, but I have to guess that the game against UM where they got penalized for the crowd being too loud had to be awesome. I guess that wasn't techincally a play, but I bet it was awesome nonetheless.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

How about the goal line stand against Penn State in 1992? Where Demetrius Dubose and I can't remember who else crushed the PSU back in midair.

Great game. Mirer to Brooks is the play that stays with me personally.

And same season: Brooks scoring a TD while being knocked unconscious against UM.

I was 11 years old that year and probably susceptible to indelible memories.

 

[ulukinatme]

06 quinn to samardzija still brings tears to me eyes. I watched that game with my dad at the bar and we absolutely went bananas after that. would have loved to have been in the stadium for that.

Eh, definitely a crazy play, but it was mostly a beautiful finish to a horrible game. It was 3 hours of a mostly silent stadium watching in agony as we struggled against a not great UCLA squad, they led most of the game if I recall. I'm just glad Quinn and the Shark were able to pull out that miracle at the end. I love Charlie's reaction after the play, calling for the extra point, he looks like he's in complete disbelief

I know what you mean! Literally, and I do mean literally, the only reason I can bring this play up and not become more enraged than the hulk, is because of what happened to Ronald Johnson was far worse. After that drop it was like a weight was lifted off me.and the highlights of 3rd long were erased. So for that, I thank you Ronald Johnson and your sure hands.

Yeah, seeing the losing streak end against USC in 2010 was a beautiful thing, I wish I could have been at that game. We really should not have won that game, I'm so glad USC got butterfingers in those final minutes though.

It's already been mentioned, but I would have loved to see that '06 MSU game too where we came back. It was on ESPN Classic later that same season. Such a crazy comeback, and it brought us the Mike Valenti melt down afterwards which was an added bonus. It also spawned the John L Smith slap incident.

As far as memorable plays I've been there for, I saw the Bush Push and UCLA games as already mentioned. Theres probably a slew of other games with great plays that I've forgotten. I've always loved that '05 Tennesee game though. One of my favorites has always been Zibby's INT return for a TD and Punt Return for a TD in that game. This was just as Tennessee was starting their downward spiral, heck, it might have started about the time of this game. On top of those two TDs by Zibby he probably was close to having a 3rd. Those were my most memorable moments from that game, although Samardzija and Stovall had pretty good games too:

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/bIwaW626zJw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>