there are too many plays that have brought to our knees and have infected with the wonderful virus that we have today. From listening on a radio to us stopping Oklahoma's streak at 47 (and there are others who remember further back) until today--all the plays that gave us supreme joy to the absolute heartbreakers--how can any of us ever pick just one? They are all a giant hook in our bellies.
1. Tim Brown punt return against USC in Lou's first year, leading to our own Heidi moment (TV returned to a dog pile of ND players on John Carney). IMHO this game changed momentum of program
2. Brown's second punt return TD against Michigan State when a punt block was called and TB had little blocking until he broke free. His Heisman moment.
3.And of course, the moment that proved to the entire world that Michigan sucks. (Spoiler: the ringless one kicked off to Rocket a second time)
ND radio announcer during the run - it was so loud in the stadium.
As it started the true return to glory and probably the last championship I will see in my lifetime....it also is tied to the most infamous- the hiring of Bob Davie, who bears the blame for all ill in the world.
Who would have thought in 2002 that Davie would coach again in ND stadium before Lou would again...
ND had become a laughingstock under Faust.
The rise from 1986 - 1988 was a thing of beauty.
The 40-yard touchdown pass to Rockne in the first quarter of the 1913 Army game changed the game of football as we know it and enabled everything about ND football that has happened since.
so not necessarily in a huge game. Bob Crable leaping to block a University of Michigan field goal? Ivory Covington (maybe 150 pounds) stopping the Army tight end going for 2 points and the win at the end of the game at Giants Stadium was amazing. Samardjia’s catch and run to win over UCLA. Numerous flattened QBs by Patulski, Ross Browner etc. Pretty much any kick return by Rocket. Lots of great memories.
And tackling him just short of the end zone to preserve the win and the streak. I was living in Annapolis at the time and watching that with a bunch of Navy fans.
and beating the running back to the ball as it bounced around their backfield. Fairly early in the game, if I recall, and really gave ND momentum.
Nick Eddy's kickoff return against Purdue in '66, after Leroy Keyes had returned a fumble, established the winning spirit for the team. Had Nick not made the play and Purdue built on their lead the psychology would have been entirely different, not only for that season but perhaps for our perception of Ara.
Of course ND had the dominant team, and the entire special teams unit was responsible for the play. I've never seen a more wide open sideline to run down. I was sitting just above the tunnel and clearly saw the play develop.
So, it is all speculation; as the question invites.
greatest call ever by Ara and the greatest pass and completion in ND history. I thought for sure the Irish were going to have to punt and Bama would get great field position for their excellent kicker. Then wham, bam, biff, pow, crunch, crash, smash, crack, whack, smack...pass complete, game over, Irish win!! A lot of happy faces wearing Blue and Gold, and Green, in the French Quarter for several hours later that night and early morning.
Best. Honorable mention in recent years: a long pass by Tony Rice across the middle to a tight end (god forgive me for not remembering his name at the moment) that broke open the Fiesta Bowl win against West Virginia in January 1989 our last national championship. Eric pennick’s run against USC also stands out. But, truth be told, it’s probably a play by one of the four horsemen in the polo grounds that first put us on the map.
in ‘46 Army game. To preserve the 0-0 tie.
It doesn't look like much on film, but it astonished everyone who saw it: nobody tackled Blanchard in the open field.
Rodney Pete throws an interception & pursues. Then, BAM! He never knew what hit him. Cold-cocked. I do not usually rejoice in other's pain and suffering but it was USC. You know, BAM!
before it got called back on a bullshit clipping penalty.
People forget that was with 3 seconds to go - ND had no chance to answer.
The Pat Terrell knockdown was still with 45 seconds left in the game. Perhaps little chance for a field goal - but still a chance.
I will forever remember St Joseph Michigan.
As a kid, I listened to Tony Roberts call that. I can still picture that moment, where I was in my house, my mom and dad listening in another room, etc. I think maybe because game winning 51 yard FG's were not exactly common in those days, and the last minute was so unexpected.