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1989 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team

American college football season From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 1989 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team was an American football team that represented the University of Notre Dame as an independent during the 1989 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their fourth year under head coach Lou Holtz, the Irish compiled a 12–1 record, outscored opponents by a total of 406 to 183, and were ranked No. 2 in the final AP poll and No.3 in the final UPI poll. In a matchup between No. 1 and No. 2, they defeated Michigan in the second week of the season. Ranked No. 1 for 11 consecutive weeks, their only loss came against No. 7 Miami (FL) in the last game of the regular season. They concluded the year with a victory over No. 1 Colorado in the Orange Bowl.[1][2]

ConferenceIndependent
CoachesNo. 3
APNo. 2
Record12–1
Quick facts Notre Dame Fighting Irish football, Orange Bowl, W 21–6 vs. Colorado ...
1989 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football
National champion (Berryman, Eck, FACT, Sagarin)
Orange Bowl champion
Orange Bowl, W 21–6 vs. Colorado
ConferenceIndependent
Ranking
CoachesNo. 3
APNo. 2
Record12–1
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorJim Strong (1st season)
Offensive schemeWishbone triple option
Defensive coordinatorBarry Alvarez (2nd season)
Base defense5–2
MVPTony Rice
Captains
Home stadiumNotre Dame Stadium
Seasons
← 1988
1990 →
Close
More information Conf., Overall ...
1989 NCAA Division I-A independents football records
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
No. 1 Miami (FL) – 11–1–0
No. 2 Notre Dame – 12–1–0
No. 3 Florida State – 10–2–0
Northern Illinois – 9–2–0
No. 15 Penn State – 8–3–1
No. 17 Pittsburgh – 8–3–1
No. 21 West Virginia – 8–3–1
Syracuse – 8–4–0
Southwestern Louisiana – 7–4–0
Akron – 6–4–1
South Carolina – 6–4–1
Virginia Tech – 6–4–1
Louisiana Tech – 5–4–1
Army – 6–5–0
Louisville – 6–5–0
East Carolina – 5–5–1
Tulsa – 6–6–0
Southern Miss – 5–6–0
Tulane – 4–8–0
Navy – 3–8–0
Rutgers – 2–7–2
Boston College – 2–9–0
Memphis State – 2–9–0
Cincinnati – 1–9–1
Temple – 1–10–0
Rankings from AP Poll
Close

Quarterback Tony Rice won the Football News College Player of the Year award and the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. Several players, including Rice, Todd Lyght, Chris Zorich, and Rocket Ismail received first-team honors on the 1989 All-America college football team. The team's statistical leaders included Rice (1,233 passing yards, 884 rushing yards), Ismail (1,628 all-purpose yards), and linebacker Ned Bolcar (109 tackles).[3][4]

The team played its home games at Notre Dame Stadium in Notre Dame, Indiana.

Schedule

More information Date, Time ...
DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendanceSource
August 318:00 p.m.vs. VirginiaNo. 2
Raycom, WGNW 36–1377,323[5]
September 163:30 p.m.at No. 2 MichiganNo. 1
ABCW 24–19105,912[6]
September 232:30 p.m.Michigan StateNo. 1
CBSW 21–1359,075[7]
September 3012:00 p.m.at PurdueNo. 1
ABCW 40–767,861[8]
October 74:00 p.m.at StanfordNo. 1
W 27–1786,019[9]
October 147:00 p.m.at No. 17 Air ForceNo. 1
ESPNW 41–2753,533[10]
October 213:30 p.m.No. 9 USCNo. 1
  • Notre Dame Stadium
  • Notre Dame, IN (rivalry)
CBSW 28–2459,075[11]
October 285:00 p.m.No. 7 PittsburghNo. 1
  • Notre Dame Stadium
  • Notre Dame, IN (rivalry)
ESPNW 45–759,075[12]
November 412:00 p.m.NavyNo. 1
  • Notre Dame Stadium
  • Notre Dame, IN (rivalry)
SportsChannelW 41–059,075[13]
November 1112:00 p.m.SMUNo. 1
  • Notre Dame Stadium
  • Notre Dame, IN
SportsChannelW 59–659,075[14]
November 182:30 p.m.at No. 17 Penn StateNo. 1
CBSW 34–2386,025[15]
November 256:30 p.m.at No. 7 Miami (FL)No. 1
CBSL 10–2781,634[16]
January 1, 19908:00 p.m.vs. No. 1 ColoradoNo. 4
NBCW 21–681,191[17]
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Games summaries

Vs. Virginia

See also: 1989 Virginia Cavaliers football team and Kickoff Classic
Kickoff Classic: No. 2 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (0–0) vs. Virginia Cavaliers (0–0)
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Cavaliers 0 0 01313
No. 2 Fighting Irish 19 14 0336
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at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

More information Game information ...
Game information

First quarter

  • ND – Ricky Watters 2-yard run (Billy Hackett kick), 10:46. Notre Dame 7–0.
  • ND – Anthony Johnson 1-yard run (kick failed), 4:38. Notre Dame 13–0.
  • ND – Rodney Culver 2-yard run (run failed), 1:28. Notre Dame 19–0.

Second quarter

  • ND – Anthony Johnson 1-yard run (Craig Hentrich kick), 8:47. Notre Dame 26–0.
  • ND – Tony Rice 3-yard run (Craig Hentrich kick), 5:11. Notre Dame 33–0.

Third quarter

  • No scoring

Fourth quarter

  • UVA – Derek Dooley 6-yard pass from Shawn Moore (Jake McInerney kick), 12:41. Notre Dame 33–7.
  • UVA – Bruce McGonnigal 2-yard pass from Shawn Moore. Notre Dame 33–13.
  • ND – Craig Hentrich 32-yard field goal, 1:46. Notre Dame 36–13.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Close

At No. 2 Michigan

See also: 1989 Michigan Wolverines football team and Michigan–Notre Dame football rivalry
No. 1 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (1–0) at No. 2 Michigan Wolverines (0–0)
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 1 Fighting Irish 0 7 10724
No. 2 Wolverines 0 6 01319
Close

at Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Michigan

More information Game information ...
Game information
First quarter
  • No scoring
Second quarter
Third quarter
  • ND – Raghib Ismail 89-yard kickoff return (Craig Hentrich kick), 14:49. Notre Dame 14–6.
  • ND – Craig Hentrich 30-yard field goal, 4:28. Notre Dame 17–6.
Fourth quarter
  • MICH – Derrick Walker 5-yard pass from Elvis Grbac (pass failed), 12:58. Notre Dame 17–12. Drive: 12 plays.
  • ND – Raghib Ismail 92-yard kickoff return (Craig Hentrich kick), 12:46. Notre Dame 24–13.
  • MICH – Greg McMurtry 4-yard pass from Elvis Grbac (J.D. Carlson kick), 4:08. Notre Dame 24–19. Drive: 13 plays, 67 yards.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
  • ND – Anthony Johnson – 1 reception, 6 yards, TD
  • MICH – Greg McMurtry – 4 receptions, 51 yards, TD
Close

Michigan State

See also: 1989 Michigan State Spartans football team and Michigan State–Notre Dame football rivalry
Michigan State Spartans (1–0) at No. 1 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (2–0)
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Spartans 0 6 7013
No. 1 Fighting Irish 7 7 0721
Close

at Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, Indiana

More information Game information ...
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • ND – Ricky Watters 53-yard run (Craig Hentrich kick), 9:10. Notre Dame 14–0.
  • MSU – John Langeloh 36-yard field goal, 2:54. Notre Dame 14–3.
  • MSU – John Langeloh 38-yard field goal, 0:00. Notre Dame 14–6.

Third quarter

  • MSU – James Bradley 30-yard pass from Dan Enos (John Langeloh kick), 6:36. Notre Dame 14–13.

Fourth quarter

  • ND – Anthony Johnson 1-yard run (Craig Hentrich kick), 8:16. Notre Dame 21–13. Drive: 9 plays, 62 yards.
Top passers
Top rushers
  • MSU – Hyland Hickson – 26 rushes, 84 yards
  • ND – Ricky Watters – 16 rushes, 89 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
Close

At Purdue

See also: 1989 Purdue Boilermakers football team and Notre Dame–Purdue football rivalry
No. 1 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (3–0) at Purdue Boilermakers (1–1)
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 1 Fighting Irish 14 20 0640
Boilermakers 0 0 077
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at Ross–Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, Indiana

  • Date: September 30
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game attendance: 67,861
  • TV: ABC
  • Recap/Box Score
More information Game information ...
Game information

First quarter

  • ND – Anthony Johnson 6-yard run (Craig Hentrich kick), 6:38. Notre Dame 7–0. Drive: 55 yards.
  • ND – Tony Rice 4-yard run (Craig Hentrich kick), 2:04. Notre Dame 14–0. Drive: 57 yards.

Second quarter

  • ND – Jeff Alm 16-yard interception return (Craig Hentrich kick), 14:44. Notre Dame 21–0.
  • ND – Anthony Johnson 1-yard run (Craig Hentrich kick), 6:35. Notre Dame 28–0.
  • ND – Ricky Watters 1-yard run (kick failed), 0:14. Notre Dame 34–0.

Third quarter

  • No scoring

Fourth quarter

  • ND – Craig Hentrich 19-yard field goal, 9:47. Notre Dame 37–0.
  • ND – Craig Hentrich 22-yard field goal, 6:18. Notre Dame 40–0.
  • PUR – Rodney Dennis 3-yard pass from Steve Letnich (Larry Sullivan kick), 0:33. Notre Dame 40–7.
Top passers
  • ND – Tony Rice – 12/15, 270 yards
  • PUR – Steve Letnich – 11/28, 89 yards, INT
Top rushers
  • ND – Tony Rice – 12 rushes, 67 yards, TD
  • PUR – Steve Letnich – 13 rushes, 50 yards
Top receivers
  • ND – Derek Brown – 4 receptions, 101 yards
  • PUR – Earl Coleman – 2 receptions, 32 yards
Close

At Stanford

See also: 1989 Stanford Cardinal football team and Notre Dame–Stanford football rivalry
No. 1 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (4–0) at Stanford Cardinal (1–3)
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 1 Fighting Irish 0 14 7627
Cardinal 6 0 8317
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at Stanford Stadium, Stanford, California

  • Date: October 7
  • Game time: 4:00 p.m. EDT / 1:00 p.m. PDT
  • Game attendance: 86,019
  • Recap/Box Score
More information Game information ...
Game information
First quarter
  • STAN – John Hopkins 34-yard field goal, 5:14. Stanford 3–0. Drive: 14 plays.
  • STAN – John Hopkins 42-yard field goal, 2:40. Stanford 6–0.
Second quarter
Third quarter
  • STAN – Ed McCaffrey 2-yard pass from Smith (run good), Tie 14–14. Drive: 79 yards.
  • ND – Anthony Johnson 1-yard run (Craig Hentrich kick), 7:28. Notre Dame 21–14.
Fourth quarter
  • ND – Craig Hentrich 20-yard field goal, 12:42. Notre Dame 24–14.
  • STAN – John Hopkins 27-yard field goal, 8:14. Notre Dame 24–17. Drive: 12 plays, 70 yards.
  • ND – Craig Hentrich 18-yard field goal, 1:27. Notre Dame 27–17.
Top passers
  • ND – Tony Rice – 7/17, 102 yards
  • STAN – Steve Smith – 39/68, 282 yards, TD, 3 INT
Top rushers
  • ND – Anthony Johnson – 15 rushes, 75 yards, 2 TD
  • STAN – Tommy Vardell – 9 rushes, 22 yards
Top receivers
  • ND – Raghib Ismail – 3 receptions, 67 yards
  • STAN – Jim Price – 14 receptions, 98 yards
Close

At No. 17 Air Force

See also: 1989 Air Force Falcons football team
No. 1 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (5–0) at No. 17 Air Force Falcons (6–0)
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 1 Fighting Irish 14 21 3341
No. 17 Falcons 0 14 01327
Close

at Falcon Stadium, Colorado Springs, Colorado

More information Game information ...
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • ND – Raghib Ismail 56-yard punt return (Craig Hentrich kick), 14:42. Notre Dame 21–0.
  • AFA – Greg Johnson 61-yard pass from Dee Dowis (Joe Wood kick), 13:36. Notre Dame 21–7.
  • ND – Anthony Johnson 27-yard pass from Tony Rice (Craig Hentrich kick), 9:46. Notre Dame 28–7.
  • AFA – Steve Senn 26-yard pass from Dee Dowis (Joe Wood kick). Notre Dame 28–14.
  • ND – Raghib Ismail 24-yard run (Craig Hentrich kick), 0:30. Notre Dame 35–14.

Third quarter

  • ND – Craig Hentrich 20-yard field goal, 8:24. Notre Dame 38–14.

Fourth quarter

  • ND – Craig Hentrich 38-yard field goal, 12:42. Notre Dame 41–14.
  • AFA – Steven Wilson 23-yard run (run failed), 9:35. Notre Dame 41–20.
  • AFA – Rodney Lewis 1-yard run (Joe Wood kick), 3:22. Notre Dame 41–27.
Top passers
  • ND – Tony Rice – 9/13, 123 yards, TD
  • AFA – Dee Dowis – 15/24, 306 yards, 2 TD, INT
Top rushers
  • ND – Ricky Watters – 11 rushes, 96 yards, TD
  • AFA – Rodney Lewis – 13 rushes, 58 yards, TD
Top receivers
  • ND – Raghib Ismail – 3 receptions, 25 yards
  • AFA – Steve Senn – 6 receptions, 101 yards, TD
Close
Quick facts External videos ...
External videos
video icon 1989 Notre Dame at Air Force – Television broadcast
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No. 9 USC

See also: 1989 USC Trojans football team, Notre Dame–USC football rivalry, and Jeweled Shillelagh
No. 9 USC Trojans (5–1) at No. 1 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (6–0)
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 9 Trojans 14 3 0724
No. 1 Fighting Irish 7 0 71428
Close

at Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, Indiana

More information Game information ...
Game information

First quarter

  • USC – Larry Wallace 12-yard pass from Todd Marinovich (Quin Rodriguez kick), 12:47. USC 7–0.
  • ND – Tony Rice 7-yard run (Craig Hentrich kick), 9:10. Tie 7–7.
  • USC – John Jackson 15-yard pass from Todd Marinovich (Quin Rodriguez kick), 7:47. USC 14–7.

Second quarter

  • USC – Quin Rodriguez 25-yard field goal, 10:22. USC 17–7.

Third quarter

  • ND – Ricky Watters 2-yard run (Craig Hentrich kick), 9:17. USC 17–14. Drive: 8 plays.

Fourth quarter

  • ND – Anthony Johnson 35-yard run (Craig Hentrich kick), 13:51. Notre Dame 21–17. Drive: 80 yards.
  • USC – Gary Wellman 16-yard pass from Todd Marinovich (Quin Rodriguez kick), 9:01. USC 24–21. Drive: 4 plays.
  • ND – Tony Rice 15-yard run (Craig Hentrich kick), 5:18. Notre Dame 28–24. Drive: 80 yards.
Top passers
Top rushers
  • USC – Ricky Ervins – 12 rushes, 64 yards
  • ND – Tony Rice – 18 rushes, 99 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
Close
Quick facts External videos ...
External videos
video icon 1989 USC at Notre Dame – Television broadcast
video icon 1989 USC at Notre Dame – Highlights
Close

No. 7 Pittsburgh

See also: 1989 Pittsburgh Panthers football team and Notre Dame–Pittsburgh football rivalry
No. 7 Pittsburgh Panthers (5–0–1) at No. 1 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (7–0)
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 7 Panthers 7 0 007
No. 1 Fighting Irish 2 15 21745
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  • Date: October 28
  • Game time: 5:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game attendance: 59,075
  • TV: ESPN
  • Recap/Box
More information Game information ...
Game information

First quarter

  • PITT – Ronald Redmon 8-yard pass from Alex Van Pelt (Ed Frazier kick), 9:32. Pittsburgh 7–0. Drive: 12 plays, 68 yards.
  • ND – Safety, Alex Van Pelt downed in end zone, 6:07. Pittsburgh 7–2.

Second quarter

Third quarter

  • ND – Ricky Watters 2-yard run (Craig Hentrich kick), 8:15. Notre Dame 24–7.
  • ND – Raghib Ismail 50-yard run (Craig Hentrich kick), 4:53. Notre Dame 31–7.
  • ND – Rodney Culver 1-yard run (Billy Hackett kick), 0:49. Notre Dame 38–7.

Fourth quarter

  • ND – Steve Belles 13-yard run (Billy Hackett kick), 4:12. Notre Dame 45–7.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
  • PITT – Lionel Sykes – 6 receptions, 65 yards
  • ND – Raghib Ismail – 1 reception, 29 yards
Close
See also: 1989 Navy Midshipmen football team and Navy–Notre Dame football rivalry
Navy Midshipmen (2–5) at No. 1 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (8–0)
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Midshipmen 0 0 000
No. 1 Fighting Irish 14 10 31441
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at Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, Indiana

More information Game information ...
Game information

First quarter

  • ND – Tony Rice 6-yard run (Craig Hentrich kick), 11:49. Notre Dame 7–0. Drive: 64 yards.
  • ND – Rodney Culver 11-yard run (Craig Hentrich kick), 3:18. Notre Dame 14–0. Drive: 64 yards.

Second quarter

  • ND – Ricky Watters 48-yard run (Craig Hentrich kick), 8:36. Notre Dame 21–0.
  • ND – Billy Hackett 27-yard field goal, 0:16. Notre Dame 24–0. Drive: 14 plays, 50 yards.

Third quarter

  • ND – Billy Hackett 39-yard field goal, 11:58. Notre Dame 27–0.

Fourth quarter

  • ND – Dorsey Levens 2-yard run (Craig Hentrich kick), 14:38. Notre Dame 34–0.
  • ND – Ted McNamara 1-yard run (Craig Hentrich kick), 4:40. Notre Dame 41–0.
Top passers
  • NAVY – Alton Grizzard – 8/14, 94 yards
  • ND – Rick Mirer – 8/12, 64 yards
Top rushers
  • NAVY – Rodney Purifoy – 11 rushes, 50 yards
  • ND – Ricky Watters – 9 rushes, 134 yards, TD
Top receivers
  • NAVY – Shane Smith – 3 receptions, 50 yards
  • ND – Adrian Jarrell – 3 receptins, 28 yards
Close
Quick facts External videos ...
External videos
video icon Full game
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SMU

See also: 1989 SMU Mustangs football team
SMU Mustangs (2–6) at No. 1 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (9–0)
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Mustangs 0 6 006
No. 1 Fighting Irish 7 35 10759
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at Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, Indiana

  • Date: November 11
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 59,075
  • Recap/Box Score
More information Game information ...
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • ND – Pete Graham 1-yard run (Craig Hentrich kick), 14:22. Notre Dame 14–0.
  • SMU – Andy Bergfeld 5-yard pass from Mike Romo (kick blocked), 11:37. Notre Dame 14–6. Drive: 3 plays, 19 yards.
  • ND – Andre Jones blocked extra point return, 11:37. Notre Dame 16–6.
  • ND – Billy Hackett 34-yard field goal, 8:16. Notre Dame 19–6.
  • ND – Ricky Watters 97-yard punt return (Craig Hentrich kick), 7:04. Notre Dame 26–6.
  • ND – Anthony Johnson 4-yard run (Craig Hentrich kick), 4:02. Notre Dame 33–6. Drive: 64 yards.
  • ND – Safety, Casey Clyce steps out of end zone, 3:00. Notre Dame 35–6.
  • ND – Walter Boyd 14-yard run (Craig Hentrich kick), 0:15. Notre Dame 42–6. Drive: 75 yards.

Third quarter

  • ND – Rusty Setzer 2-yard run (Craig Hentrich kick), 10:51. Notre Dame 49–6.
  • ND – Billy Hackett 32-yard field goal, 5:45. Notre Dame 52–6.

Fourth quarter

  • ND – Rod West 1-yard run (Craig Hentrich kick), 3:22. Notre Dame 59–6.
Top passers
  • SMU – Mike Romo – 28/54, 194 yards
  • ND – Tony Rice – 5/8, 83 yards
Top rushers
  • SMU – Kevin Love – 4 rushes, 5 yards
  • ND – Ricky Watters – 7 rushes, 69 yards, TD
Top receivers
  • SMU – Jason Wolf – 9 receptions, 63 yards
  • ND – Raghib Ismail – 4 receptions, 65 yards
Close
Quick facts External videos ...
External videos
video icon Full game
Close

At No. 17 Penn State

See also: 1989 Penn State Nittany Lions football team
No. 1 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (10–0) at No. 17 Penn State Nittany Lions (6–2–1)
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 1 Fighting Irish 7 14 7634
No. 17 Nittany Lions 7 3 7623
Close

at Beaver Stadium, State College, Pennsylvania

  • Date: November 18
  • Game time: 2:30 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 86,025
  • TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz and Pat Haden
  • Recap/Box
More information Game information ...
Game information

First quarter

  • PSU – Blair Thomas 2-yard run (Ray Tarasi kick), 8:04. Penn St 7–0. Drive: 79 yards.
  • ND – Tony Rice 5-yard run (Craig Hentrich kick), 2:19. Tie 7–7. Drive: 13 plays, 65 yards.

Second quarter

  • PSU – Ray Tarasi 38-yard field goal, 13:46. Penn St 10–7.
  • ND – Ricky Watters 12-yard run (Craig Hentrich kick), 11:35. Notre Dame 14–10. Drive: 6 plays, 58 yards.
  • ND – Anthony Johnson 1-yard run (Craig Hentrich kick), 5:27. Notre Dame 21–10.

Third quarter

  • ND – Tony Rice 1-yard run (Craig Hentrich kick), 8:42. Notre Dame 28–10. Drive: 6 plays.
  • PSU – Blair Thomas 3-yard run (Ray Tarasi kick), 4:49. Notre Dame 28–17. Drive: 79 yards.

Fourth quarter

  • ND – Billy Hackett 22-yard field goal, 13:33. Notre Dame 31–17.
  • ND – Billy Hackett 19-yard field goal, 6:53. Notre Dame 34–17.
  • PSU – Terry Smith 5-yard pass from Tom Bill (run failed), 4:31. Notre Dame 34–23.
Top passers
  • ND – Tony Rice – 5/10, 47 yards, INT
  • PSU – Tom Bill – 6/14, 56 yards, TD
Top rushers
  • ND – Tony Rice – 26 rushes, 141 yards, 2 TD
  • PSU – Blair Thomas – 26 rushes, 133 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
Close
Quick facts External videos ...
External videos
video icon Full game (part 1)
video icon Full game (part 2)
video icon Full game (part 3)
video icon Game highlights
Close

At No. 7 Miami (FL)

See also: 1989 Miami Hurricanes football team
No. 1 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (11–0) at No. 7 Miami (FL) Hurricanes (9–1)
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 1 Fighting Irish 0 10 0010
No. 7 Hurricanes 10 7 7327
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at Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida

  • Date: November 25
  • Game time: 6:30 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Overcast, 77 °F (25 °C)
  • Game attendance: 81,634
  • Referee: Jimmy Harper
  • TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz, Pat Haden, and John Dockery
  • Recap/Box
More information Game information ...
Game information

'First quarter

  • UM – Carlos Huerta 35-yard field goal, 9:41. Miami (FL) 3–0.
  • UM – Dale Dawkins 55-yard pass from Craig Erickson (Carlos Huerta kick), 0:04. Miami (FL) 10–0. Drive: 4 plays.

Second quarter

  • ND – Billy Hackett 22-yard field goal, 8:23. Miami (FL) 10–3.
  • ND – Ned Bolcar 49-yard interception return (Billy Hackett kick), 2:08. Tie 10–10.
  • UM – Stephen McGuire 5-yard run (Carlos Huerta kick), 0:24. Miami (FL) 17–10. Drive: 3 plays.

Third quarter

  • UM – Dale Dawkins 5-yard pass from Craig Erickson (Carlos Huerta kick), 4:13. Miami (FL) 24–10. Drive: 22 plays, 80 yards, 10:47.

Fourth quarter

  • UM – Carlos Huerta 32-yard field goal, 1:44. Miami (FL) 27–10.
Top passers
Top rushers
  • ND – Tony Rice – 20 rushes, 50 yards
  • UM – Stephen McGuire – 21 rushes, 83 yards, TD
Top receivers
Close
Quick facts External videos ...
External videos
video icon Full game
video icon Game highlights
video icon 3rd and 43
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Vs. No. 1 Colorado (Orange Bowl)

See also: 1989 Colorado Buffaloes football team and 1990 Orange Bowl
1990 Orange Bowl
No. 4 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (11–1) vs. No. 1 Colorado Buffaloes (11–0)
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 4 Fighting Irish 0 0 14721
No. 1 Buffaloes 0 0 606
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at Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida

More information Game information ...
Game information

First quarter

  • No scoring

Second quarter

  • No scoring

Third quarter

Fourth quarter

  • ND – Anthony Johnson 7-yard run (Craig Hentrich kick), 1:32. Notre Dame 21–6.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
  • ND – Pat Eilers – 2 receptions, 47 yards
  • CU – Eric Kissick – 2 receptions, 33 yards
Close

[18]

Roster

More information Players, Coaches ...
1989 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos.#NameClass
RB Steve Belles
RB Walter Boyd
OL Mike Brennan
RB Reggie Brooks
OT 71 Dean Brown
TE 86 Derek Brown So
RB 5 Rodney Culver So
WR 13 Pat Eilers
QB Pete Graham
WR Ray Griggs
G 75 Tim Grunhard Sr
RB 25 Raghib Ismail Jr
WR Adrian Jarrell
RB 22 Anthony Johnson (C) Sr
RB Craig Lanigan
RB Dorsey Levens
C 76 Gene McGuire So
RB Ted McNamara
RB 35 Ryan Mihalko Jr
QB 3 Rick Mirer Fr
WR William Pollard
QB 9 Tony Rice (C) Sr
G 52 Tim Ryan Jr
RB Rusty Setzer
TE Irv Smith
WR Tony Smith
RB 12 Ricky Watters Jr
TE Rod West
Defense
Pos.#NameClass
DT 90 Jeff Alm Sr
LB 47 Ned Bolcar (C) Sr
DT 93 Bob Dahl Jr
DB 32 D'Juan Francisco
LB 36 Donn Grimm
LB 7 Andre Jones
LB 37 Scott Kowalkowski Jr
CB 1 Todd Lyght Jr
LB Devon McDonald
LB 89 Karmeeleyah McGill Fr
CB 29 Stan Smagala
DB 21 Rod Smith So
LB 42 Mike Stonebreaker Jr
S 15 Pat Terrell Sr
DL 50 Chris Zorich Jr
 Special teams
Pos.#NameClass
K Billy Hackett
K 28 Craig Hentrich
P 16 Jim Sexton Jr
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injured Injured
  • Redshirt Redshirt
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Awards and honors

Senior quarterback Tony Rice received multiple awards and honors:

  • Football News College Player of the Year
  • Finished fourth in voting for the Heisman Trophy
  • Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, presented by the Kentucky chapter of the National Football Foundation to the country's top quarterback
  • First-team All-America selection by Football News
  • Team most valuable player, as voted by the team
  • Invited to play in the Hula Bowl and East-West Shrine all-star game

[19]

Sophomore flanker and return specialist Rocket Ismail received first-team All-America honors from Associated Press (AP), The Sporting News (TSN), Football News (FN), Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), Newspaper Enterprise Association (NEA), and Gannett News Service (GNS). He also received second-team honors from the United Press International (UPI). He also tied for tenth in voting for the Heisman Trophy.[19]

Junior defensive tackle Chris Zorich received numerous awards and honors including:

  • College Lineman of the Year from the Touchdown Club of Washington, DC
  • Consensus first-team All-America honors, with first-team honors from AP, UPI, TSN, FN, Walter Camp Football Foundation (WCFF), FWAA, and GNS
  • Lombardi Award finalist

[19]

Junior cornerback Todd Lyght was a consensus first-team All-America, receiving such honors from AP, UPI, TSN, FN, WCFF, American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), NEA, and FWAA. He was also one of three finalists for the Jim Thorpe Award.[19]

Senior linebacker Ned Bolcar received second-team All-America honors from the UPI and TSN.

Senior defensive tackle Jeff Alm received second-team All-America honors from AP, FN, and GNS. He was also named Notre Dame Lineman of the Year.[19]

Senior free safety Pat Terrell received first-team All-America honors from GNS. He was also invited to play in the East-West Shrine all-star game.[19]

Sophomore tight end Derek Brown received second-team All-America honors from GNS.[19]

Senior offensive guard Tim Grunhard received second-team All-America honors from the NEA.[19]

Senior fullback Anthony Johnson received the team's Nick Pietrosante Award as the player who best exemplifies courage, teamwork, loyalty, dedication, and pride.[19]

1990 NFL draft

The following Notre Dame players were selected in the 1990 NFL draft:

More information Player, Position ...
Player Position Round Pick Franchise
Anthony JohnsonRunning back236Indianapolis Colts
Tim GrunhardTackle240Kansas City Chiefs
Jeff AlmDefensive tackle241Houston Oilers
Pat TerrellDefensive back249Los Angeles Rams
Mike BrennanTackle491Cincinnati Bengals
Stan SmagalaDefensive back5123Dallas Cowboys
Ned BolcarLinebacker6146Seattle Seahawks
D’Juan FranciscoDefensive back10262Washington Redskins
Dean BrownGuard12316Indianapolis Colts
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[20]

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