2012 UM Notre Dame Ticket Info
April 16, 2012
Untitled Document
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Between April 16 and May 31, 2012 Hurricane Club members will be able to request tickets for the away game, including the highly anticipated game against Notre Dame on Oct. 6.
Away game ticket requests may be done online through “My Account” located at HurricaneSports.com, by calling (305) 284-2263 or in-person at the Hurricane Ticket Office. Online instructions for requesting tickets will be available at HurricaneSports.com beginning April 16, 2012. Please see below for online ordering instructions.
Starting the week of June 4, the Hurricane Ticket Office will notify all accounts via email, whether their requests were fulfilled.It is important to note that the May 31 deadline will be a hard deadline for requesting tickets. Below are some key points regarding 2012 away game tickets, including a chart reflecting the number of tickets you may request at your Hurricane Club donor level:
- Please note that only Hurricane Club members are eligible to purchase away game tickets. Also, it is important to note that only donors at the Orange level ($250+) are eligible to purchase Notre Dame tickets. If you would like to join the Hurricane Club, please call (305) 284-6699 or visit uhurricaneclub.com.
- If you would like to increase your Hurricane Club membership in order to purchase additional Notre Dame tickets at your priority level please contact the Hurricane Club at (305) 284-6699.
- Our neutral site game against Notre Dame at Soldier Field in Chicago is being hosted by the Fighting Irish. As a result, our seating locations will be consistent with other away games and we will not receive premium seating.
- Notre Dame tickets will have three different price points: $125, $90 or $75 per ticket. Ticket prices will be determined by donor level and priority points.
- Additional tickets may be requested for all away games. Please note that any additional tickets are not guaranteed and will be seated outside of your priority area.
- Tickets and location will be assigned on a priority point basis within donor levels and will be shipped once assigned.
- Seating locations will not be determined until tickets are received from the opposing team, typically two weeks prior to the game.
- When requesting your tickets, you will be asked to provide your credit card information. Credit cards will only be charged for those orders we are able to fulfill. For those that receive tickets, charges will appear between June 4 and June 15.
- Please note ticket prices do not include a $5 per ticket handling fee. Online orders will also be charged an additional Ticketmaster fee of $3 per ticket.
- When paying online, please make sure you choose the payment plan option to avoid having your card charged in full.
| Hurricane Club Donor | Minimum Donation Amount | Away Game Tickets |
|
Champions and Lifetime |
$30,000+ |
12 |
|
Golden Cane |
$15,000 – $29,999 |
10 |
|
Silver |
$5,000 – $14,999 |
8 |
|
Green |
$1,500 – $4,999 |
6 |
|
Orange |
$250 – $1,499 |
2 |
|
Sebastian |
$40-$249 |
2- Excluding Notre Dame |
Dates/Opponent/Ticket Prices:
9/1 – Boston College – $50/ticket
9/8 – Kansas State – $75/ticket
9/22 – Georgia Tech – $45/ticket
10/6 – Notre Dame – $125/$90/$75
11/10 – Virginia – $45
11/24 – Duke – $40
Online Ordering Instructions: (PDF)
- Log into your account atREPLACE_ME
- Once in your account, scroll down to the bottom of the home page and click on “Buy Packages/Tickets” link.
- Click the “view items” button next to 2012 Hurricane Football Away Games.
- Select the number of tickets you would like for the away games of your choice. Then click “add to cart” at the bottom of the page.
- Select the USPS delivery option from the drop down menu and then click “checkout” at the bottom of the page.
- Answer the survey questions. Once finished click “save” at the bottom of the page.
- Select the 2012 Football Away Games payment plan to avoid having your credit card charged in full.
- Select the Minimum Amount Due Today option.
- Click on “choose this plan” at the bottom of the screen.
- Enter your payment information and click “next step”.
- Review the order, amount, questions, and payment details. Click the box to agree to the terms of use at the bottom of the screen. Once reviewed click “submit order”.
- Print the Order Summary page for your records
Top 10 Games From the Rivalry:
10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1
#1 1989: Win Over Irish Propels Miami to Third National Title
Hurricanes close out regular season with 27-10 win over the top-ranked Irish
By: Rob Dunning
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – It was only fitting that a decade of dominance was capped off by another win over Notre Dame and another national championship. That is exactly what happened for the University of Miami football team in 1989.
Miami came into its meeting with Notre Dame that season 9-1 and ranked No. 7 nationally, but the Notre Dame Fighting Irish were on top of the college football world with a perfect 11-0 record and the top spot in the polls. The Irish were riding a school record 23-game winning streak and in search of its second straight national championship, thanks to a 31-30 win over Miami in South Bend the year prior.
“I think about that game every night before I go to bed and every morning when I wake up,” Miami tight end Randy Bethel told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in the week leading up to the 1989 game. “It coast us the title, our title, our second national championship in a row.”
“I think everyone knows who had the better team,” wide receiver Randal Hill said.
Despite dropping that memorable game to the Irish in 1987 (UM’s only regular season loss in a span of four seasons), the ‘Canes still had everything going for them. Over the last four years under head coach Jimmy Johnson, Miami had gone a combined 44-4. Much of that success came at the Orange Bowl, where the ‘Canes had won 31 straight games in what had become the toughest place in the country for opposing teams to play visit.
Miami had out-scored Notre Dame, 102-to-7, in the teams’ last three meetings at the Orange Bowl. Two of those meetings – in 1983 (20-0) and 1987 (24-0) – the ‘Canes went on to win the national championship.
Both teams felt they were the best team in the country, deservedly so. Miami, under the direction of first-year head coach Dennis Erickson, wasn’t ready to hand over the reins of the rivalry to Lou Holtz’s Irish over one loss.
“Sure, Notre Dame has been successful for two years, but we’re still the team of the ’80’s,” Bethel said. “Our seniors have lost three games in four years. We might not have the tradition of Knute Rockne and the Four Horsemen, but Notre Dame can’t say they’ve accomplished more than us. Nobody can.”
Bethel’s teammate and star defensive end Greg Mark echoed his sentiments and looked ahead to what could be for both teams depending on this game’s result.
“We’ve been touted as the team of the 1980’s” Mark told the Chicago Tribune. “The winner of this game will be touted as the team going into the early ’90’s. It’ll be the clash of the titans.”
More than 600 media credentials were distributed for the game, which like most Miami-Notre games was tabbed for a national television audience. The Orange Bowl was packed to the brim, with 81,634 fans- the most-ever to see a Hurricanes’ game at the OB at the time — there to see the next installment of the sport’s most heated rivalry.
Miami quickly asserted its power early on, taking a 10-0 lead on a Carlos Huerta field goal followed by a Craig Erickson 55-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Dale Dawkins.
The Irish responded with 10 straight of their own to tie it up, but the ‘Canes pulled away in the second half, scoring 17 straight – highlighted by a touchdown run by fullback Steve McGuire – to secure the 27-10 win.
“I really hate to lose,” Notre Dame head coach Lou Holtz said after the game. “It’s been a while since we lost. The air of excitement and electricity in this stadium was exemplary. Miami’s really a great football team.”
Irish quarterback and Heisman Trophy hopeful Tony Rice was held at bay all day, completing 7-of-15 passes for 106 yards and two interceptions, while picking up just 50 yards on 20 carries on the ground.
Erickson on the other hand played well, completing 16-of-26 passes for 210 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.
The game featured one of the more memorable plays in program history, when Erickson connected with Hill on a 44-yard pass down the right sideline on a 3rd-and-44 from the Hurricanes’ own three-yard line. The connection was key moment in what eventually turned into a 22-play drive that took over 11 minutes off the clock in the second half.
That play was fitting of the way the game went for the ‘Canes. After suffering such a heartbreaker the year prior, Miami was back where it had been so often over the last decade.
The win propelled Miami to No. 2 in the country, and after a 33-25 win over Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, the ‘Canes were crowned national champions yet again.
Miami and Notre Dame would meet one more time in 1990 – a 29-20 Irish win in South Bend – before the series ended when Notre Dame took the ‘Canes off their schedule.
Twenty years later, the two teams will meet again for the first time on Dec. 31, 2010 at the Hyundai Sun Bowl. None of the current student-athletes were old enough to remember watching any of the historic games in the 1980’s, but you can be sure they’ve been made aware of what will be at stake Friday afternoon in El Paso.
Video Links
Youtube: Game Overview Video
Youtube: 3rd and 43 Video
Youtube:
#2 1988: Irish Win Thriller in South Bend
Notre Dame stops late Miami two-point try for a 31-30 win en route to national title
By: Rob Dunning
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The 1988 meeting between Miami and Notre Dame featured just about everything a fan could ask for, from a pre-game melee to a high scoring contest that came down to the wire. Unfortunately for Miami, this edition went the way of the Irish.
The ‘Canes were coming off their most successful season ever — a 12-0 campaign capped off by their second national championship. The Irish were enjoying resurgence under Lou Holtz and after years of being Miami’s whipping boy, the playing ground had evened.
Miami entered the game in South Bend with a perfect 4-0 mark and a No. 1 ranking, while Notre Dame also came in unblemished and ranked fourth.
The pressure to win for the Irish had been building for year, after all Miami had won four straight, outscoring the Irish, 133-to-20, over that span.
“I’ve never ridden a wild bull before, but that’s what I feel like I’m doing this week,” Holtz said before the game. “I know I’m supposed to be holding the reigns, but yelling ‘whoa’ don’t do much good. But, we just have got to keep these teams, and the whole thing, from getting out of control.”
The ‘Canes came in having won 16 straight overall and 20 straight on the road. Despite Notre Dame playing at home and having such success early in the season, Miami was the country’s best team and clearly the prohibitive favorite.
Then the turnover bug hit the ‘Canes and as is almost always the case, it doomed their day. Three interceptions and four fumbles by Miami – coupled with big plays on offense for Notre Dame – and the Irish came away with a 31-30 upset win.
“In my mind, we should have won the ballgame,” Miami head coach Jimmy Johnson said after the game.
That sentiment was likely shared by every player, coach and fan wearing orange and green that day.
UM quarterback Steve Walsh tossed for a career-high 424 yards and four touchdowns – both records for a Notre Dame opponent – but his three interceptions proved costly. Irish defensive end Frank Stams consistently got into the backfield to disrupt Walsh, forcing him into several bad throws, including an interception by free safety Pat Terrell who returned it 60 yards for a touchdown in the first half to make it 21-7 Notre Dame.
The ‘Canes rallied to tie it up at 21-21, but a successful fake punt by the Irish, followed two plays later by a Pat Eilers’ touchdown run, put the Irish right back on top.
Both teams then traded field goals to make it 31-24 when UM defensive end Greg Mark forced Notre Dame quarterback Tony Rice to fumble on the Irish’s own 14 with 2:10 to play.
The ‘Canes capitalized when Walsh hooked up with Andre Brown for an 11-yard touchdown on a fourth-and-six with 45 seconds remaining to pull Miami to within one.
Then came a decision. Tie the game up and go home, or go for two-point conversion and the win. In Johnson’s eyes, it was easy.
“You always want to play for the win,” Johnson said. “There’s no consideration for anything else.”
Miami chose to go for it and went with a pass, but the Irish were all over it and Terrell finished off his big day by breaking it up and securing the win for Holtz’s Irish.
The loss was Miami’s first in a regular season game since the season-opening game of the 1985 season.
“It should not have come down to a two-point conversion,” Miami head coach Jimmy Johnson told the Associated Press after the game. “There is no way we could have made as many mistakes as we did and won the game. If we had played better, it would not have come down to one or two plays.”
Miami had 26 first downs to Notre Dame’s 16. Total offense easily favored Miami, 481-to-331. But turnovers on Miami’s end, a career day by Notre Dame quarterback Tony Rice and stellar play by Terrell – and the Irish had their first win over Miami since 1982.
“Give Notre Dame credit,” Johnson said after the game. “They did what they had to do to win. They are a good football team. Good enough to beat us by one point.”
Rice, primarily a running quarterback, threw for a career-high 195 yards. Cleveland Gary proved to be Miami’s offensive star, catching 10 balls for 130 yards to go along with 28 yards on the ground.
But it was the turnovers that doomed UM in the end. Holtz finally had his win over Miami. And like Miami had done twice before, the Irish used the win to propel them to a national title. The ‘Canes went on finish 11-1 at No. 2 nationally after a blowout win over Nebraska in the Orange Bowl Classic.
The loss was hard to swallow for the ‘Canes, who likely would have won their third national title otherwise.
Instead, it was championship No. 11 for the Irish.
Article Links
Video Links
Youtube: Game Overview Video
Youtube: Catholics/Convicts Video
Youtube:
Youtube: Panfil Family Video
#3 1987: ‘Canes Dominate Irish on Path to another National Title
Miami shuts down Brown, Notre Dame en route to its second national championship
By: Rob Dunning
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – By now, the rivalry that for so long had favored Notre Dame had completely shifted Miami’s way. After years of having no answer for Notre Dame’s overpowering talent, the Hurricanes had turned the table in the mid 1980’s, winning four of five heading into the 1987 game.
The most recent game – a 58-7 drubbing the ‘Canes put on the Irish in 1985 – was still on everyone’s mind going into the late November contest.
“It’ll be in the back, back, back of our minds,” Notre Dame wide receiver Tim Brown said early in the week leading up to the 1987 game. “You’d have to be inhuman for it not to be.”
Jimmy Johnson and the second-ranked Hurricanes had risen to the top of the college football world over the last three seasons. Winners of 32 of their last 34 – including nine straight to start the 1987 season – the ‘Canes had grown into a force the Irish used to be.
Only one team had played Miami close all season, as the Hurricanes edged out No. 4 Florida State, 26-25, earlier in the year in Tallahassee. The Hurricanes’ eight other wins had all come by double digits. They were making it look easy.
On the other sideline, Notre Dame was playing its best ball in years under second-year head coach Lou Holtz, who had the Irish 8-2 and ranked No. 10 in the country. And while the ‘Canes had plenty of offensive star power – including quarterback Steve Walsh and receiver Michael Irvin – it was Notre Dame’s Brown who was receiving most of the national attention going in.
The Orange Bowl, like it was for every Miami-Notre Dame game at this point, was packed. The ‘Canes jumped out to a 10-0 halftime lead behind a touchdown run by Melvin Bratton and a field goal by Greg Cox.
Bratton scored again in the second half, while his backfield mate Leonard Conley also added a touchdown run as Miami, despite turning the ball over four times, eased to a 24-0 win.
Walsh passed for 196 yards; Conley ran for a team-best 87 yards; while Bratton finished with 46 on the ground.
The shut-out loss for Notre Dame was its first since 1983. A team that came in averaging 33 points a game had come up empty. Miami’s defense, led by safety Bennie Blades and defensive end Daniel Stubbs, had completely controlled the Irish, allowing Notre Dame to cross the 50-yard line just twice. Averaging 402 yards per game coming in, Holtz’s bunch was held to just 169 by a supremely talented UM defense.
Brown had his worst game of the season as Miami held him to just 37 yards receiving and 95 total yards – nearly half his season average.
“If Tim Brown was going to win the Heisman Trophy, he was going to try to win it over us,” Stubbs told the Associated Press after the game. “I don’t think he proved it today. We put something on him. Every time he touched the ball, I swear, it was like he was going to get some crowds that were going to hit him.”
Brown may not have proven it that day, but his season numbers showed he was deserving in the end as he would become the first ever wide receiver to win the Heisman Trophy.
But the sport’s best player couldn’t find his way against Miami that day, nor could his team.
“People were still doubting us,” Bratton said after the game. “Talking about us being pretenders instead of contenders for the championship. I think we proved to everybody that we’re for real.”
A week later, No. 2 Miami beat No. 8 South Carolina to set-up a de facto national championship game between the 11-0 Hurricanes and the 11-0 Oklahoma Sooners in the Orange Bowl Classic.
Miami beat Oklahoma, 20-14, for its second national title and first under Johnson. And much like it had two years ago under Howard Schnellenberger, the ‘Canes took down Notre Dame on its way to a national championship.
A trend was developing.
Article Links
NY Times: http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE6D9123DF93AA15752C1A961948260
#4 1985: Miami Makes a Statement
Jimmy Johnson’s Hurricanes win big over the reeling Irish
By: Rob Dunning
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Jimmy Johnson didn’t have any regrets for what had just transpired. After all, what Miami had just done to Notre Dame was no different than what the Irish had done to teams with regularity in its history.
Win, and win big.
Miami crushed Notre Dame, 58-7, on Nov. 30, 1985 in a game that turned the temperature of the rivalry up to a whole new level.
Johnson, in his second season in Coral Gables, had his ‘Canes rolling. Winners of nine straight, No. 4 Miami was the hottest team in the country, blowing out teams week after week.
The Irish, on the other hand, came in 5-5 and in disarray over the recent news that head coach Gerry Faust was stepping down after the game.
In one of the most impressive performances in school history, Miami was near perfect. The Hurricanes scored on every possession, outside of drives that ended the half and the game. Miami amassed 534 yards of offense, including 398 through the air.
The win was as easy as they come.
“I talked all year about wanting us to get better each game and play our best game in the last game,” Johnson said. “We did that. I can single out the entire team. Except the punter, because we didn’t have to punt.”
The ‘Canes were relentless, scoring over and over and over at will. After controlling the series for the better part of the last two decades, the Irish had lost their grip and Miami was seizing the opportunity.
Johnson may have new to the rivalry, but he knew how big the game was to all involved. He also knew the history, which included Notre Dame beating the ‘Canes 44-0 in 1973 and 48-10 in 1977.
Times had changed, though. Miami was on top of the college football world and just two years removed from its first national championship. The Irish were just a shell of their former selves, out of the rankings and struggling to find their way.
Miami was clearly the better team and even with its reserves playing in the second half, the ‘Canes poured it on.
The game marked a new day in the rivalry, which only got more heated over the next five years.
Article Links
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#5 1979: ‘Canes and Irish Meet in Japan
Memorable game in Tokyo is the last time Miami and Notre Dame met on a neutral field
By: Jimmy Gill
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – – The 1979 edition of the Miami Hurricanes became known as the “Jet-Lag Kids” for their extensive travels around the country and even the world. The team set an NCAA record with over 28,000 miles traveled throughout the season, highlighted by a trip to Japan for a regular season game against rival Notre Dame.
The matchup in the Mirage Bowl (November 24, 1979) was the last time prior to the 2010 Sun Bowl that Miami and Notre Dame met on a neutral field, as well as the only game in Miami football history that was played outside the United States.
It also marked the ninth straight year that the two teams met and the 13th overall with the Irish owning a 10-1-1 edge in the series at the time.
The 1979 season also marked the beginning of a new era in Miami football with Howard Schnellenberger taking over the reigns as head coach. The team struggled in the first year of his tenure, going 5-6, but better days would be right around the corner for the Hurricanes.
However, even with the mediocre season, the team had the opportunity to play a game in a foreign country against one of its biggest rivals. Notre Dame won the game easily 40-15, but the overall experience goes down as one of the more memorable games in the series because of the special nature of the game in Tokyo.
The Mirage Bowl started in 1977, pitting two American college football teams against each other. Mirage refers to the title sponsor of the Mitsubishi Mirage sports car, manufactured in Japan. The two previous matchups featured Grambling versus Temple in 1977 and Temple against Boston College in 1978. Without question, the 1979 matchup was much more anticipated with two big-name programs full of tradition willing to fly across the Pacific Ocean to compete.
The game came about in 1977 as the Mirage Bowl organizing committee offered to pay the expenses of each team as well as pay at least $200,000 guaranteed for participating. Both teams agreed, due to the finances as well as the unique opportunity. In addition, the game date was at the end of the semester, therefore not disrupting the academic schedule.
“.both schools saw this as a chance to make some money,” said a Notre Dame athletic spokesperson at the time. “And at the end of the season it won’t disrupt the academic schedule.”
In addition, they each got the opportunity to experience a different culture and expand the sport of football to Japan.
The Japanese were not very familiar with the sport but they went with it anyway, “.all but a few hundred of the 62,574 fans at Olympic Stadium were Japanese. And most didn’t know a punt from a pass, or when to cheer or what to cheer for,” wrote Jim Martz of the Miami Herald.
Football was fairly new to Japan, having only been in the public eye for about 10-15 years at the time. However, this game was billed as the country’s biggest sporting event of the year. The interest around the Mirage Bowl wasn’t a surprise, considering the NFL’s Super Bowl was one of the highest-rated broadcasts in Japan at the time, supporting the country’s curiosity in the sport.
To help the fans learn the sport, the game program dedicated many pages to the basics of football, including rules and scoring explanations, in Japanese of course. There were also pages describing the equipment the players wear, as well as the hand signals of the officials, all in an effort to educate the fans.
The program also featured letters from many dignitaries, including President Jimmy Carter.
“I am confident both teams will be fine representatives of our nation’s long tradition of collegiate athletics,” Carter said in the letter. “Please extend my congratulations and best wishes to everyone involved in this effort which will strengthen the friendship between the United States and Japan.”
Japan’s Prime Minister Masayoshi Ohira also offered his best wishes.
“This year’s game between the prestigious University of Notre Dame and Florida’s pride, the University of Miami, will be an exciting match,” Ohira said. “In recent years, the popularity of American football has increased in Japan. I feel certain that the Mirage Bowl will help enhance and promote understanding and friendship between Japan and the United States.”
The trip took marked the end of four consecutive games away from the Orange Bowl for the Hurricanes, who had played at Syracuse, No. 19 Penn St., and No. 1 Alabama prior to Tokyo. The Mirage Bowl was just one week following the Alabama game, so Miami had no extra time to prepare for the trip. Notre Dame was in a similar situation, having played a game in South Bend against Clemson the previous week.
The Hurricanes’ chartered flight arrived in Tokyo on the Wednesday before the game, with the entire trip taking 24 ½ hours from the time the bus left campus to the team’s arrival at the hotel in Japan with a lengthy flight in between.
“I don’t think we will have to worry about anybody goofing around tonight,” said UM assistant coach Len Fontes.
“I’m going to sleep for three weeks,” declared UM offensive tackle Frank Frazier.
Both teams stayed in the same hotel and ate in adjacent dining halls, but there were no issues other than a Miami player posing for a picture with two Notre Dame female cheerleaders to the chagrin of Coach Schnellenberger.
“Don’t you know we have a game to play?” Schnellenberger roared. “Get over here!”
Nevertheless, both teams showed respect for each other and took in all the trip had to offer.
The game itself did not end up being very competitive, as Dan Devine and the Irish scored a touchdown on their opening drive and never looked back en route to an easy win. The key to the victory in the rainy weather was the ground attack led by Notre Dame senior halfback Vagas Ferguson, who ran for 177 yards on 35 carries with three touchdowns. Ferguson was awarded the game’s MVP and would go on to finish fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting that season.
The Hurricanes were designated as the home team and wore orange jerseys, while the Irish were clad in their traditional green uniforms.
The fans did not have a specific rooting interest coming into the game, but were distributed pom-pons the color of the team they were supposed to cheer for depending on their section of the stadium.
Miami quarterback Jim Kelly started the game, but left due to injury early on. Halfback Chris Hobbs was deemed the “Most Dedicated Player.” He ran for 23 yards and caught two passes for 11 more.
“But that shows you how much they know about football,” Hobbs said after the game. “I didn’t do anything.”
The schools’ bands and cheerleaders also made the trip, making several appearances throughout the time they were in Japan, including a joint performance the day before the game at Tokyo’s Jingu Stadium. The bands also played throughout the game along with the Japanese Bugle Corp, entertaining the fans who paid just as much attention to them as they did the game.
Coach Devine remarked, “As Howard was telling me, it’s too bad more people don’t recognize two fine teams are playing. There’s just as much interest in the bands.”
The traveling parties headed out following the game, but left with plenty of memories even with a lopsided game on the field.
Miami quarterback Mike Rodrigue reflected on the experience after the game, “It was definitely tough to keep your mind on the game this week. But it was just as tough on Notre Dame. But the Japanese treated us nice. As far as playing the game, it was really tough, but everybody wanted to see Japan and buy things.”
“It was a great experience for the players,” said coach Devine. “And I enjoyed it too. But I wouldn’t want to do it right away. We were treated as well as anyone can ever be. It was different having a team together for week under these conditions. Trying at times? Of course, but it was still a great experience.”
Coach Schnellenberger echoed those sentiments to the Japanese media.
“Even though we didn’t learn much about football today, we learned a lot about your country the last five days. It has been an exhilarating experience for our team and band.”
There was no rest for the weary as Miami returned to the Orange Bowl the following week to defeat the Florida Gators in the season finale.
Notre Dame’s season ended in Japan, as the Irish finished 7-4.
The Mirage Bowl would continue to be played every year until 1993, to great success.
The 1979 Miami-Notre Dame matchup was played in a much different environment than the teams were used to, but was a great example of sports diplomacy.
The two schools would close the book on the decade and this great rivalry would heat up even more entering the 1980’s.
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#6 1960: Miami Gets First Win Over Notre Dame
Hurricanes win behind a ground game that amassed 248 yards against the Irish
By: Rob Dunning
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The 1960 meeting between Miami and Notre Dame didn’t have the national appeal of most games in the historic rivalry, but it certainly has its place in history.
The game, played five years after the teams first met in 1955, was just the second in the rivalry. The first went the way of Notre Dame, as the fifth-ranked Irish shut-out Miami, 14-0, on a memorable night at the Orange Bowl.
But five years has passed and things had changed. The rosters had completely turned over and while Miami coach Andy Gustafson had been around for the first meeting, Notre Dame’s new boss Joe Kuharich was new to the rivalry and struggling through his second season in South Bend.
Neither team was ranked heading into the Nov. 12 contest, a rarity in the rivalry. The Irish came into the game reeling, having lost six straight to Purdue, North Carolina, Michigan State, Northwestern, Navy and Pittsburgh after a season-opening win over Cal. Miami was in much better shape, entering 4-2, including back-to-back wins over Boston College and Florida State the two weeks prior.
The ‘Canes were clearly in better shape and were a slight favorite in the game. But despite its struggles, Notre Dame was still one of the strongest programs in the country, while Miami was still a team that had yet to earn national respect.
Gustafson wasn’t buying into the ‘Canes being the favorite, or at least he wasn’t saying it. Whether it was a motivational ploy for his players, or he just plain believed the Irish had run into some bad luck along the way, he was playing down any overconfidence going in.
“The Irish are getting better every week,” Gustafson said. “They have played one bad game, against Purdue. With a break or two, they could have won all the others.”
In a bold move before the season started, the ‘Canes scheduled homecoming for the Notre Dame game, adding some excitement to a match-up that took South Florida by storm five years earlier. The fans didn’t seem to mind Notre Dame was 1-6, as 58,062 showed up in hopes of watching their ‘Canes beat Notre Dame for the first time.
They weren’t disappointed.
A back-and-forth game that featured an exciting offensive display on both sides of the ball, the ‘Canes were the last to score in a 28-21 victory.
Led by quarterback Eddie Johns, Miami had its first win over Notre Dame. Johns rushed for 72 yards and two touchdowns, while completing four passes for 82 yards – including a 48-yard connection with star receiver Bill Miller, who was in the midst of an All-America season.
“We went more for the long pass in this game than any other time this season,” Johns told The Miami News after the game. “But I didn’t have to throw too often because we moved so well on the ground.”
Running back Jim Vollenweider joined Johns in the running attack, rushing for 88 yards on 19 carries on a Notre Dame defense that didn’t seem prepared for Miami’s ground game.
Miami had 324 yards of total offense, including 248 on the ground. The Irish nearly equaled Miami’s offensive output with 307 yards of their own, but a late interception by Racy Timmons secured the victory for Miami.
The loss was Notre Dame’s seventh straight – the longest in the program’s history. But that didn’t take away from the Hurricanes’ celebration. The ‘Canes had their first win over the Irish.
“It was a privilege to play them and an even greater one to beat them,” Gustafson said in the locker room after the game. “Regardless of what their record may be, they still are a fine football team. It really isn’t a job to get a team ready to play Notre Dame.. for the boys prepare themselves. They know how much it means.”
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#7 1965: Moral Victory for Miami
Despite a scoreless tie, the Hurricanes knew they belonged on the field with the Irish
By: Rob Dunning
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – There was a point in time when ties were fairly common in college football. Before overtime was introduced in 1996, it wasn’t uncommon for two teams to play to a tie. A scoreless tie, however, was pretty rare.
That is exactly what transpired in 1965 when Miami and Notre Dame met in the Orange Bowl for just the third time ever.
At this point in the rivalry, the Irish were a national power, while Miami’s program had yet to see the success it would enjoy in the decades ahead.
The match-up on paper easily favored the Irish. The game, played on Nov. 27, marked the regular season finale for both teams. Notre Dame came in 7-2 and ranked sixth in the country, while the Hurricanes were 5-4 and in search of their first winning season in three years. Notre Dame had allowed just one opponent to score more than 13 points all year. So going in, the ‘Canes knew if they were to have a chance, their defense would have to at the very least equal the Irish’s effort.
And despite the Hurricanes recent struggles on the field, football fans in South Florida wanted another taste of Miami and Notre Dame. It had been over a decade since the last time the Irish visited the Orange Bowl. So, it wasn’t entirely surprising when it was announced that a packed house of 68,077 fans showed up to see that third edition of Miami-Notre Dame.
Ara Parseghian’s Irish not only came into the game with a stout defense, but one of the most productive ground games with Bill Zloch at quarterback and Bill Wolski and Nick Eddy at running back.
For Miami, linebacker Ed Weisacosky led a defense that was up against its toughest task of the season.
The Irish got off to a slow start, fumbling on their first possession before their second drive stalled after five plays. Miami knew if it kept Notre Dame’s ground game in check, the game was up for grabs.
Unfortunately for the ‘Canes, they couldn’t muster anything on offense against a Notre Dame defense that had allowed just six points per contest over its last seven games. Miami’s offense, which featured the pass much more than Notre Dame’s did, struggled to put consistent drives together.
The two teams went into the half at 0-0. The Hurricanes’ game plan was working.
Notre Dame finally put together a few nice drives in the second half. Twice, the Irish moved deep into Miami’s territory only to see the Hurricanes’ defense force two goal line stands to preserve the rare 0-0 tie in the end.
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#8 1983: Miami Crushes Notre Dame En Route to National Championship
Hurricanes shut-out Notre Dame in a nationally-televised CBS showcase game
By: Rob Dunning
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – By 1983, anytime Miami and Notre Dame met on the gridiron, the country took notice. The Irish had enjoyed most of the success in the series, but Miami was a team on the rise under fifth-year head man Howard Schnellenberger.
While Miami-Notre Dame was usually a match-up that came later in the season, the 1983 game was played in late September when neither team really knew exactly what was ahead.
The unranked ‘Canes came in 2-1, with a season-opening loss at Florida before rolling past Houston (29-7) and Purdue (35-0) the next two weeks. The 13th-ranked Irish entered 1-1, with a win over Purdue (52-6) and a loss to Michigan State (28-23).
Both teams were well aware coming in that another loss would essentially end any hopes of a national championship run.
The game, which had been selected for a CBS nationwide broadcast in the offseason, was the focal point of what had become the “Classic College Football Weekend” in South Florida. Schnellenberger, Miami administration, city officials and local businesses wanted to take advantage of the national stage to not only showcase the ‘Canes, but the City of Miami.
“Once CBS announced that it would televise the game at prime time on a Saturday night nationally, our community was suddenly provided an unprecedented opportunity to spotlight the good things about South Florida,” Schnellenberger said prior to the game. “Rarely do we have this much lead time before a nationally televised game.”
Everything was planned out to the most minute detail. A “Miami’s Magic” halftime show was to be shown live on CBS, while other events – including a special Alumni Star competition as well as other parties and concerts – were to take place around the game.
“First of all, the greatest statement that can be made by the game is for the TV cameras to open up with a jammed, packed Orange Bowl,” Schnellenberger said. “The crowd will not only show America what an exciting place our city is, but it will help our team in one of the nation’s top games. The eyes of the football world will be focused on Miami that evening. We want to show them the enthusiasm of Miami, win the football game and help promote South Florida nationwide.”
The game would go down as one of the more memorable in Orange Bowl history, as the ‘Canes dominated the Irish, 20-0, in front of a national television audience and 52,480 fans at the OB.
Everything had gone according to Schnellenberger’s plan. Miami was in full display both on and off the field and came through in a big way.
Miami looked and played like the better team. It was the first time since 1978 that Irish had been shut out, while the ‘Canes defense extended its shutout streak to 11 straight quarters. Freshman Bernie Kosar, who was quickly becoming the talk of the town, completed 22-of-33 attempts for 215 yards and a touchdown while defensive back Reggie Sutton may have had the biggest impact on the game in recording 13 tackles and a pair of blocked field goals.
“We started talking to ’em,” Sutton said after the game. “We started intimidating them, calling them names. We figured if we could make them talk back to us, they wouldn’t have their minds on what they were doing.”
Miami held a 14-0 halftime lead behind touchdowns from Speed Neal and Eddie Brown. A pair of second half field goals by Jeff Davis confirmed what had already been assumed.
The game was Miami’s. The plan had worked. And just over three months later, the ‘Canes were national champions.
The win was the third in what proved to be an 11-game winning streak for Kosar and the ‘Canes that ended with a 31-30 win over Nebraska in Orange Bowl Classic.
Miami had won its first national title, while Notre Dame’s season spiraled out of control in the end as the Irish dropped three of their last four games to finish 7-5.
The ‘Canes were on top of the college football world and on top of one of the sport’s best rivalries. It was a place they would become quite comfortable with in the coming years.
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#9 1981: Rivalry Shifts Miami’s Way
Miami crushed Notre Dame, 37-15 for its second-ever win over the Irish
By: Rob Dunning
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – For the better part of the first two decades of the rivalry, Notre Dame had its way with Miami. The ‘Canes had their moments – a 28-12 win in 1960 and a couple close losses along the way – but the Irish owned the series.
Then came 1981.
Winners of 11 straight and 12-of-14 in the rivalry dating back to 1955, the Fighting Irish had always felt comfortable playing the ‘Canes, as they did with most on their schedule. But times were changing. The Irish were in the midst of one of their worst seasons under first year head coach Gerry Faust, while the ‘Canes were in the early stages of becoming a national power under Howard Schnellenberger.
No. 9 Miami came into its regular season finale on Nov. 28 having won eight of its 10 games in 1981, including wins over Florida, Penn State and Florida State along with way. They were ranked in the Top 10 for the first time in 13 years. Everything all seemed to be coming together in Coral Gables.
The Irish on the other hand entered that game at the Orange Bowl at 5-5, with the possibility of their first losing season in 18 years staring them right in the face.
Then came the game. Years of frustration on Miami’s side coupled with Notre Dame’s struggles led to a 37-15 blowout in favor of the ‘Canes. UM jumped on the Irish early, taking a 30-6 lead into the half. The game was essentially over.
With junior Jim Kelly behind center, Miami rolled up 516 yards of offense compared to just 216 for the Irish. Kelly capped off a record-breaking season, connecting on 17-of-25 attempts for 264 yards and two touchdowns in the rout.
“This is as fine a football team as I’ve ever been associated with,” Schnellenberger said after the game. “I’m very proud of this team. They played the first half as well as they are capable of playing. Then the defensive unit took over in the second half and totally dominated.”
The defense had played arguably its best game of the season, picking off three passes and holding the Irish to just 53 yards on the ground. Notre Dame’s only two touchdowns on the day came via a kick-off return and an interception return (thrown by back-up Mark Richt).
“They thought they could come in here and shove the ball down our throats,” senior linebacker Scott Nicolas told the Palm Beach Post after the game. “Penn State thought the same thing. You’re just not gonna do it, unless maybe you’re an NFL team.”
The win for Miami meant more than just ending its losing streak against the Irish. It was certainly part of the celebration, but bigger things were happening around the program and around college football.
Despite its struggles, the Irish were expected by most to do what they were used to doing to against Miami – win. But that didn’t happen, and with the game being the only nationally-televised college football contest that day, people took notice.
Miami finished the year 9-2, its best record since going 8-1-1 in 1956. In just three seasons at the helm, Schnellenberger had quickly turned the ‘Canes into a perennial power and national title contender.
Almost as importantly, the rivalry turned.
“These players will go down in history,” Schellenberger said at the time. “They’ve certainly taken a place among my memories. This is the biggest thing that’s ever happened to me in football.”
The same could have been said for most, if not all in the program. That would all change over the next decade.
The ‘Canes had finally arrived.
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#10 1955: Where it All Started
Miami and Notre Dame met for the first time on the gridiron on Oct. 7, 1955 at the Orange Bowl
By: Rob Dunning
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The first game in the storied rivalry between Miami and Notre Dame didn’t end in the Hurricanes’ favor, but the 1955 meeting between the ‘Canes and the Irish featured plenty of interesting storylines that helped start one of college football’s best rivalries.
For the first time in its lengthy history, Notre Dame was entering the state of Florida to play a college football game with a Friday night match-up against the ‘Canes on Oct. 7. The showdown featured two Top 20 teams, with No. 5 Notre Dame, firmly established as one the top teams in the country, visiting No.15 Miami, a growing program under head coach Andy Gustafson.
The Irish came in 2-0 – with shut-out wins over SMU and Indiana – while Miami entered 1-1, dropping its season-opener at No. 10 Georgia Tech, 14-6, before crushing Florida State at home, 34-0.
Notre Dame’s visit, coupled with Miami’s blowout win over the Seminoles the previous week, had South Florida brimming with anticipation. And while the fans were ready for the game and confident in their ‘Canes, Gustafson made his best effort to contain some of the mounting confidence around town and in the locker room.
“Notre Dame always is one of the best in the country,” Gustafson told the Miami Daily News the Sunday prior to the game. “They have great players, great morale and great team spirit. It is a real challenge to meet them, and I’m glad we have the opportunity.”
“We’ll have to do a lot better than we did against FSU to have a chance with Notre Dame,” Gustafson added.
Heading into the game, in was unclear whether the ‘Canes would go with senior Mario Bonofiglio or sophomore Gene Reeves at quarterback. For the Irish, the decision came much easier as junior Paul Hornung was in the early stages of what would prove to be a Hall of Fame career.
By late in the week, ticket sales were through the roof and officials were anticipating a record crowd at the recently-expanded Orange Bowl.
The fans didn’t disappoint. A record 75,685 packed the OB for what would prove to be the second-largest crowd over the next 30 years to witness a Hurricanes’ game at their famous venue. The atmosphere and energy had never been quite like it was as this game, for good reason.
Unfortunately for most in attendance, however, the game didn’t live up to the hype, at least on Miami’s end of things.
Playing in just the second night game in its history, Notre Dame went on to beat Miami, 14-0, behind a pair of fourth-down touchdown passes from Hornung, who would go on to win the Heisman Trophy the following year. Bonofiglio earned the start for UM, but it was Reeves who played well under center, orchestrating a 70-yard drive – the Hurricanes’ best opportunity for points – that was ultimately killed by a penalty.
Notre Dame and its stifling defense proved its worth in the end, holding its third straight opponent scoreless.
Miami would go on to finish the season 6-3, while Notre Dame went 8-2 with losses to Michigan State and USC.
That game on Oct. 7, 1955 had little impact on either team’s season, but the significance of the meeting proved to be immense.
The fans showed up in droves that night and the rest of the country began to take notice. The two teams wouldn’t meet again for five more years, but the foundation had been set that historic night at the Orange Bowl.
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