On October 20th, 2006, driving back to Notre Dame after a short Fall Break, I daydreamed about the slim chances of the Irish (ranked #10 with a record of 5-1 at the time) sneaking into the National Championship picture with 6 more wins and a healthy amount of luck.
For the first 59 minutes of the game the next day, I wondered if maybe I should have spent some more time at home instead of returning to campus early, with the UCLA defense completely stifling the Irish offense to the tune of just 41 yards on the ground and 4 successful 3rd down conversions on 19 attempts.
With 2:26 remaining in the game and Notre Dame trailing 17-13, Charlie Weis elected to sneak Brady Quinn on 4th and 1 at the UCLA 35. With that field position, and after converting 4 of 4 fourth down attempts throughout the game, it was the logical and easy choice. The Bruins d-line, which had dominated in the trenches all day, stopped Quinn short of the first down line.
With just two timeouts remaining the Irish defense made 3 big stops to get the ball back in Brady Quinn’s hands for one last gasp attempt. Following a holding call on ND on the first UCLA punt attempt that would have put the ball on the Irish 37, the UCLA punter booted a 59 yarder into the end zone for a touchback.
With the way Weis’s offense struggled to move the ball all day, the outcome looked grim. 1:02 left on the clock. 80 yards, no timeouts. Irish BCS hopes on the line. Then this happened:
Its 6 years later and I still get chills every time I watch this video. As Samardzija crossed the goal line, chaos ensued in the student section. A group of about 10 of us dog piled in the top rows of section 34 and ended up tumbling 5 rows down from where we started. The euphoria was so overpowering that it was only an hour later in my dorm room that I realized I had massive bruises and splinters from that fall down the old stadium benches.
As we here at HLS look back at some of our favorite ND memories – both related and unrelated to football – I consider myself wildly lucky to have had countless incredible experiences in South Bend. While that season didn’t quite turn out as perfectly as we had hoped, on that afternoon Brady Quinn and Jeff Samardzija reminded us about what it takes to win under any circumstances and reminded us why you should never count out the Irish.
Proof that, sooner or later, everyone comes around to love the Irish.
After growing up as a Notre Dame hating, misguided youth, it only took one visit to campus during high school for Twibby to realize the error of his ways. From that point on Twibby and the Irish have had what can only be described as a true Hollywood love story. When he's not reminiscing about his time in South Bend and pondering ways to get a 5th year of eligibility as a student, Twibby writes about Notre Dame and the rest of the college football world for HLS. Along with the Irish, he is a diehard fan of the Chicago Bears, Bulls, Blackhawks and Cubs with a strange affection for Northwestern Wildcats football.
Read all posts by Twibby
Follow @HLS_Twibby
- Chicks Dig the Long Ball: Irish Receivers ’13 - October 23, 2013
- Breaking Down the Run/Pass Balance - September 26, 2013
- 3 Questions for MSU - September 19, 2013
This game was also home to the funniest blonde moment that I’ve personally been involved in. After UCLA scored, their cheerleaders ran out with their flags, prompting this girl to say “Who is A-L-C-U?!…oh wait…NOOOO DON’T EVER REPEAT THAT!!!”
Of course, my friend standing right next to me did what any good friend would: immediately told me so I could die laughing and years later post it here.
I wince every time I turn on the radio and Don Criqui is still allowed to call Notre Dame games while Tony Roberts is somewhere doing play-by-play of his dog sleeping and doing a far better job at it.
But I heard Quinn-to-Samardzija in my car and I still get get goosebumps when I listen to Criqui absolutely melting the hell down live on the air while every single person in the Stadium lost their freaking minds.
Tony Roberts would STILL have been better, but that moment was still pretty cool.
Having watched ND football for more than 75 years I am of the opinion that “83” was as complete a receiver as anyone who played the game. This highlight film has a myriad of “circus catches”. I saw everyone of those caught in the home games. I too miss Tony Roberts….his commentary always excited me. Thanks for the memories.
Thank you. I have a dreary day ahead speaking with actuaries. I needed this – better than a shot of espresso.
Nice memory!
Of course Hayden and Hammonds playing their their usual lifeless, monotone selves in the background despite the amazing play.
My cousin and I were at the game. I was still a senior in high school and my cousin was in 8th grade. When Samardzija scored he literally jumped on me and we went toppling out of our section. A few people asked us if we were alright and we just hopped up and started “high fiving” everyone in sight. What a memory! What a game! I still wish 83 would have stuck it out with Football.
I was there and I have never heard the place so loud in 50 years….
I agree. The only comparison I would have is USC from 2005, but it never had the pop like this game did.
Definitely the loudest I’ve heard it in my 40 or so games in the stadium. I think part of it was that the place was SO quiet up until that point, though.
I wish it would have happened just a few years later in the age where there would have been plenty of good video recordings from the crowd to capture it. There would be some great shots of the crowd going wild.
I remember being glued to the tv just knowing that the Irish could explode at any moment. That offense was just impossible to stop. Great finish and a wonderful memory. Thanks.
thats why I have a 5 year old son named Brady! Didnt think Samardzija was a good first name for a baby!
I was at this game also. Though the end was fantastic, Weis’s play calling that day, started me doubting his abilities. Jeff S’s skills were fantastic. I agree with Tom O. #83 was the best all-round receiver I’ve seen at ND. and I go back to Hanratty and Seymour.
All the Shark did was catch the ball. All he did. It was awesome.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=js6RbB1fARw
ND vs. Purdue in 05′. A ton of great plays by “The Shark”