4 memorable games from the Notre Dame-Miami series
Notre Dame and Miami each have bigger rivalries with other programs, but their series still provided memorable games and moments.
The series began in 1955 and has been played 25 times, with the Fighting Irish leading 17-7-1. The games became intense in the 1980s, with both programs competing for national titles year in, and year out.
In honor of the two hooking up this Saturday in South Bend, we take a look at four unforgettable moments from the heated rivalry.
1985 - Gerry Faust era ends painfully
Fighting Irish head coach Gerry Faust announced he would resign at the end of the season, after taking a 5-5 record into the game with Miami. The Hurricanes were ranked No. 4 and destined for the Sugar Bowl, and showed no mercy for Notre Dame or Faust, handing the Irish a 58-7 loss - one of the worst defeats in Irish history. Many accused Canes coach Jimmy Johnson of running up the score, while others countered that Notre Dame had been doing the same for years.
1988 - Catholics vs Convicts
Tagged the "Catholics vs. Convicts" game, it began with a brawl in the tunnel prior to taking the field. After emotions calmed, No. 1 Miami would score with 45 seconds left in the contest to pull within one point. Jimmy Johnson would decide to go for two instead of kicking the extra point to tie, and Steve Walsh's pass was broken up by Pat Terrell as the Irish held on to win 31-30. Notre Dame would eventually win the national title, while the Canes would finish the season No. 2 in the polls.
1989 - 3rd-and-43 seals Miami's revenge
Notre Dame came in as defending national champions, ranked No.1 in the country and with a 23-game winning streak. The Canes had a new coach in Dennis Erickson and revenge on their minds after the previous year's loss in South Bend. In a night game at the historic Orange Bowl, the Hurricanes crushed the Irish 27-10, in a contest that will always be remembered for Miami converting on 3rd-and-43 in the third quarter. Miami would go on to beat Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, to win the national championship.
1990 - The Rocket takes off, series shelved
This would be the last meeting until the 2010 Sun Bowl, as the rivalry escalated to such a level that both schools chose not to renew the series. With Miami ranked No. 2, the Irish would prevail 29-20, thanks in part to a 94-yard kick return by Raghib "Rocket" Islmail. The Hurricanes later destroyed Texas in the Cotton Bowl in noteworthy fashion, while Notre Dame famously lost the Orange Bowl to Colorado.