The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have spent the better part of the last twenty years stuck in a rut of mediocrity, unable to wake up the echoes. However, in the years that preceded these struggles, Notre Dame enjoyed a golden era of bowl success shaking down the thunder with great victories over storied programs in epic New Year’s Day contests.
#5 Notre Dame Bowl Victory 1989 Fiesta Bowl Notre Dame: 34 West Virginia: 21
Notre Dame raced out to a 23-6 halftime lead against quarterback Major Harris and the West Virginia Mountaineers. Though Don Nehlen’s scrappy bunch kept the game close, the outcome was never really in doubt. Tony Rice cemented his legacy as a championship quarterback with steady dual threat play. The game was significant because it capped off a brilliant season including a classic win against #1 Miami. Notre Dame was voted national champion for the first time in more than ten years following the game.
#4 Notre Dame Bowl Victory 1992 Sugar Bowl Notre Dame: 39 Florida: 28
Notre Dame entered the game reeling, losers of two November games that crushed any national championship dreams. Needing a spark, master motivator Lou Holtz reached into his bag of tricks and had the Irish don white jerseys with green piping. The heavily favored #3 Gators appeared to have the Irish in a death roll, cruising to an 13-0 lead. However a three touchdown explosion by star running back Jerome Bettis keyed a thrilling 39-28 victory. What made the victory especially sweet was how the Irish responded after being dismissed in the weeks leading up to the game by the national media and S.E.C. fans as overmatched and overrated (sound familiar).
#3 Notre Dame Bowl Victory 1973 Sugar Bowl Notre Dame: 24 Alabama: 23
An epic battle between two unbeaten programs and their legendary coaches. Ara Parseghian’s #3 Irish team carried the day against Paul “Bear” Bryant’s top ranked Crimson Tide in the 1973 Sugar Bowl. Unfortunately for Alabama the contest was decided by a missed extra point in the fourth quarter. A long pass from Irish quarterback Tom Clemens from deep in their own territory allowed Notre Dame to run out the clock and secure the national championship. A sweet win in a battle between two of the best programs in the nation.
#2 Notre Dame Bowl Victory 1979 Cotton Bowl Notre Dame: 35 Houston: 34
In one of the greatest comebacks in college football history, the legend of Joe Montana was born. Following a helping of chicken soup, a shivering Montana led Notre Dame to 23 unanswered points in the final seven minutes. On a freezing Dallas afternoon, Montana hit Kris Haines for an eight yard touchdown as time expired to complete the thrilling come from behind victory. All things being equal, this would be my greatest Notre Dame memory had the national championship been on the line.
#1 Notre Dame Bowl Victory 1978 Cotton Bowl Notre Dame: 38 Texas: 10
Though some Notre Dame fans may disagree, this one takes my top spot. The Irish dominated an undefeated #1 Texas team that was favored. The defense held the great Heisman Trophy winner Earl Campbell in check while Notre Dame cruised to a surprisingly convincing victory. The complete nature of the victory allowed the #5 Irish to hurdle up the rankings and claim the national title. Though the game wasn’t a nail biter, it remains my number one Irish bowl victory for the way the defense handled a seemingly unstoppable Campbell and laid claim to a surprising national title.
So there they are, a lifetime’s worth of memories of Notre Dame’s greatest bowl victories. Though cherished, my greatest hope is that Manti Teo and Everett Golson can knock one of these golden oldies to number six and replace it with a modern victory against Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide.
