We don’t have to rehash fight songs, their standing in winning percentage, the legend of Michigan students teaching football to Notre Dame to understand the magnitude of this series.

I’ll be honest: When it ended in 2014, I was so elated with Notre Dame’s 31-0 pasting of the Wolverines that I didn’t give it much thought.

Now as time passed and Michigan has rebounded under Jim Harbaugh, I feel a sense of loss as a fan that we may be missing out on some classic matchups with the series on hiatus. I would love to see the series return, though not as a part of the Shamrock Series. I want some of those games at home and not at a neutral site.

Recently, Brian Kelly suggested that Notre Dame may not need a conference alignment in order to be worthy of a playoff spot. Kelly remarked that he would put his 12 up against a conference winner’s 11 due to some of the FCS teams that they play. One of the things I think Kelly is banking on is wins over marquee teams like Michigan. Think about a year where a one-loss Notre Dame has wins over some of the conference champions. It would make for a hefty resume for the Irish.

As a result, the return of Michigan not only makes sense from the standpoint of history but also from the potential impact Michigan could have for future Irish playoff resumes. We, also from the fan perspective, get games like the three from the series that stick out the most in my lifetime. Though I was born, I don’t count Harry Oliver’s field goal as one of them as I was simply to young to remember it.

Here are my three:

1989: Notre Dame 24, Michigan 19

Rocket returns two kickoffs for touchdowns. Michigan was ranked #1 and I still smile every time I watch the late Rodney Culver waving Ismail to the end zone.

1998: Notre Dame 36, Michigan 20

If there was a signature win of the Bob Davie era this was clearly it. Michigan was the defending National Champions and led by a touchdown at the half. The Irish outscored Michigan 30-7 in the second half.

2012: Notre Dame 13, Michigan 6

After watching Denard Robinson eat Notre Dame alive for two years, the Notre Dame defense throttled him by forcing 6 turnovers on their way to a 12-1 season.

I seriously hope this rivalry renews as many have speculated that it will. Perhaps Jim Harbaugh is the next coming of Nick Saban, nevertheless I want Brian Kelly and the Irish to have a shot at matching up with Michigan.

The post Let’s Renew Our Rivalry With Michigan appeared first on Her Loyal Sons.

Whether it was the unforgivable 58-7 humiliation that was Gerry Faust’s last game or the near riot prior to the 1988 thriller, the games were hard-hitting, emotion-fueled, big-play dramas. While games in both 1988 and 1989 largely decided the national championship, the 1990 game was actually ranked #3 by fans for the best games in Notre Dame Stadium in a 2005 poll.

It also played a huge role in propelling the Irish to a #1 ranking that they would hold on two different occasions during the 1990 season. Ultimately, an upset at home at the hands of Penn State and an Orange Bowl defeat would derail the Irish national title dreams. Nevertheless, the Irish win was notable for denying Miami a shot at a repeat national championship and it was the last meeting between the two until the 2010 Sun Bowl.

After locating and dusting off this old VHS gem from my archives, I was immediately reminded of a few things.

First, the ND in the end zone for home games in 1990 looks completely out of place in my book. Much like the critiques of “The Shirt” when it deviates from traditional colors, the end zones at Notre Dame should feature slashed lines…period!

I cannot express how much I miss Notre Dame coverage on CBS from the 80s.

I loved the sideline shots that they always had and the open microphones. After a key stop in the second half, you can hear Scott Kowalkowski exhorting his teammates with “good stop” and a fist pump.

For all the benefits of the NBC coverage we no longer get that close up. Perhaps in an era where coaches have billboard sized play cards covering their mouths, they just won’t let the cameras have that much access.

Finally, Notre Dame Stadium was bedlam in the this game. It was loud and stands appeared wild. For years, I’ve heard the crowds at Notre Dame are pedestrian. In all my trips to the stadium, I’ve never seen a crowd like this particular Miami game. I would argue the night game last year vs. USC seemed like a church gathering compared to this game.

Rick Mirer

The game itself was a classic and at the same time it shocks me that this particular Notre Dame team went 9-3. The running backs alone on this day for the Irish may be the greatest collective assembled in college football history. Dorsey Levens the listed starter got 0 carries. Nevertheless, he and the remainder of the group – Rodney Culver, Tony Brooks, Ricky Watters, Rocket Ismail (who while not a true running back was second in carries in this game), and Jerome Bettis – all played in the NFL.

The defense which was also much maligned coming into the game also featured a number of future NFL players.

The Irish would enter the game ranked #6 while Miami would enter the game with a #2 ranking. This particular contest dubbed the “Final Chapter” by some (the teams would end their series following this game) was true to the form of the other Miami/Notre Dame clashes in that it featured big plays, great athletes, and a few surprises.

Two of the bigger questions leading up to this game were whether Notre Dame could run the ball effectively vs. Miami and whether their defense – which had struggled to this point – would have any answers for a potent Miami offense.

The Shirt for the 1990 ND-Miami game

The Irish answered both questions with a resounding yes. On the day, the Irish shredded a Miami run defense – that had to date yielded just 62 yards per game – for a whopping 315 yards on the ground. The defense, though it gave up 473 total yards, forced four Miami turnovers and held the Hurricanes to 6 points on three trips inside the 10.

The final trip which resulted in a Leonard Conley fumble at the Notre Dame 2 proved to be the final undoing of Miami. Despite the run game and defense, a mainstay of the Holtz era may have been the biggest difference in the outcome.

Special teams play was absolutely brilliant for the Irish on this day as Craig Hentrich booted 5 field goals and Rocket Ismail accounted for 158 yards of kickoff return yardage highlighted by a brilliant 94 yard scamper. The kickoff return tied the score at 10-10 and seemed to stabilize the Irish after their offense had struggled greatly in the early going. On the day, Ismail would account for 268 all-purpose yards on his way to a season that featured over 1700 all-purpose yards and a second place finish in the Heisman race. How he lost the Heisman to a guy who threw 28 interceptions I’ll never understand, but that is a story for another day.

Lou Holtz would improve his record at this point in his tenure at Notre Dame to 18-8 vs. teams in the Top 20, underscoring his greatness in preparing for and playing in big games. In the build up to this game, it was well reported that Lou spent a ton of practice time working individually with the defense. On this day, it paid off as the Irish held Miami to just 3 second half points. When asked about the game and the crowd afterwards, Holtz responded, “There is something special about playing here.” There was something special about playing Miami too.

The post Film Session: Notre Dame vs. Miami, 1990 appeared first on Her Loyal Sons.

The Moment’s Vince Moiso. Photo: USA Network

For anyone who believes in second chances, USA Network’s new original series ‘The Moment’ is for those who believe in, or who have benefited from, second chances. Hosted by legendary NFL quarterback Kurt Warner, ‘The Moment’ gives ordinary people the unique opportunity to realize unfulfilled dreams and rewrite their life’s story. It gives them the second chance of a lifetime.

Each week, Kurt will surprise one person with their second chance: whether that’s becoming a race car driver, costume designer or sports photographer. Traveling far from their homes and families to pursue their calling under the guidance of expert mentors, each participant will prepare for the interview of a lifetime. In the end, they will find out whether they still have what it takes to pursue this career or if they’ve been living their dream life all along.

This week I got the opportunity to interview one of “The Moment” nominees: Vince Moiso.

Vince Moiso has lived and breathed football from a very young age. After a promising playing career in college (University of San Diego) and pro career in Europe, Vince not only played quarterback, but was getting involved with coaching as well. But that’s when tragedy struck. His father, suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, took a turn for the worst and passed away. It was up to Vince to support his recently widowed mom. Vince decided to forgo his dream of coaching and went into the tile business and has built a very successful career. However, there is still something missing, and being a football coach would complete his life. Our mentor will get Vince back up to speed and prepare him for an interview with the most elite college football program in the country – the University of Notre Dame. Vince will have to dig deep to overcome the years away from the game, and decide if the life of a professional coach is right for him and his family. (Bio from USANetwork.com)

Vince stopped by the blog to answer a few questions about Notre Dame, Fighting Irish football and what Our Lady’s University means to him.

THE MOMENT — “Football Coach Finale” — Pictured: — (Photo by: Tasos Katopodis/USA Network)

Q: How long have you been a Notre Dame fan?

A: “A true Notre Dame fan? Since September of 2012 after my experience here.”

Q: What is your first Notre Dame memory (football or otherwise)?

A: “The two kickoff TD returns by Rocket Ismail against Michigan in 1989. I remember watching it in total amazement, I was in high school at the time.”

Q: What is your favorite Notre Dame football memory?

A: “Rudy, seriously, if you’re a college football fan, who doesn’t love the movie Rudy? Is there anything more inspirational?”

Q: Did you play football in high school/college?

A: “I started playing football when I was 7 years old in Jr. All-American in Southern California. I played at McKay High School in Salem, Oregon and at the University of San Diego. I was a QB, and I also went on to play professionally in Europe.”

Q: When did you decide you wanted to be a football coach?

A: “I started coaching kids when I was in high school. It has always come naturally to me. I just thought that football would always be a part of my life. I would play for as long as I could then transition to coaching. It seemed to be the natural progression, unfortunately it didn’t happen that way.”

Q: Who is your favorite Notre Dame football coach? and why?

A: “Probably Lou Holtz, because Notre Dame football was so relevant at the time for me. I was a freshman in high school when he won the national championship. I was paying attention to college football so he made an impression on me. I think from that 1988 team more than 20 players went on to play in the NFL. And I like seeing Lou on ESPN now!”

THE MOMENT — “Into the Fire, South Bend IN, Football Coach” — Pictured: — (Photo by: Michael Hickey/USA Network)

Q: What about Notre Dame makes it such a special place for you (and so many
others)?

A: “I could write a book on this subject. I’m officially a subway domer now. You see what I thought was a simple opportunity to get back into coaching at Notre Dame became so much more. I didn’t understand why Notre Dame until I got here. By day two as I walked into the Basilica it was clear why I was here. This place welcomed me with open arms and every person I have met associated with the University is more impressive than the next. There is an energy that you cannot explain unless you have been here to feel it yourself. As coach Holtz said, “if you’ve been there no explanation is necessary, if you haven’t none is adequate.” Any true Notre Dame fan has heard that a thousand times but I know it rings true every time they hear it. It rings true for me.”

Q: What is your biggest takeaway from your experience with ‘The Moment?’

A: “You would expect me to say the coaching experience itself or the opportunity, but it’s not the biggest takeaway. For me ‘The Moment’ was about personal growth. I discovered along the way that I had not seriously opened up about my father’s death over 16 years ago. The show helped me explore the guilt and responsibility I felt over his death. It forced me to open up and let go. Once I did I had the time of my life. It was a very special life experience.”

“And last but certainly not least …  none of this would have been possible without the love and support of my wife and two daughters.”

I’d like to give Vince a big thank you for stopping by the blog. Tune in to USA Network on Thursday, May 2nd and see if Vince got the job as a Notre Dame football coach!

Cheers!

The post What Would You Do With The Second Chance of a Lifetime? appeared first on Her Loyal Sons.