ND GO IRISH BLOG regular Tom Hohmeier sent this to me -- YOU CAN'T MAKE THIS UP! This ran on Notre Dame Magazine's site -- authored by Ted Mandel '86.
This leaves the whole Lincoln – Kennedy coincidence thing in the dust
Did you know?...
- In 1987, ND beat Michigan State at home, scoring 31 points.
- In 2011, ND beat Michigan State at home, scoring 31 points.
- In 1987, ND finished the season with 8 wins.
- In 2011, ND finished the season with 8 wins.
- In 1987, ND lost their bowl game, a game they led early on.
- In 2011, ND lost their bowl game, a game they led early on.
- In 1987, ND lost their all-time leading receiver, Tim Brown, to graduation.
- In 2011, ND lost their all-time leading receiver, Michael Floyd, to graduation.
- In 1988, the ND QB was Tony Rice, who was from South Carolina . He started his 3rd career game against Michigan State in East Lansing . ND beat Michigan State by a score of 20-3. The star of the game was Notre Dame's defense, which held the Spartans to 89 yards rushing for the game. Defensive captain Michael Stonebreaker intercepted a pass in the 4th quarter to seal the win.
- In 2012, the ND QB is Everett Golson, who is from South Carolina . He started his 3rd career game against Michigan State in East Lansing . ND beat Michigan State by a score of 20-3. The star of the game was Notre Dame's defense, which held the Spartans to 78 yards rushing for the game. Defensive captain Manti Te'o intercepted a pass in the 4th quarter to seal the win.
- In 1988, Lou Holtz suspended his starting running back for the last game of the season, the farthest road game of the year.
- In 2012, Brian Kelly suspended his starting running back for the first game of the season, the farthest road game of the year.
- In 1988, Notre Dame defeated their highest ranked road opponent (USC) by 17 points (27-10).
- In 2012, Notre Dame defeated their highest ranked road opponent ( Oklahoma ) by 17 points (30-13).
- Only two coaches in the history of Notre Dame have recorded 12-0 records — Lou Holtz in 1988 and Brian Kelly in 2012.
- In 1988, Lou Holtz was in his third season.
- In 2012, Brian Kelly is in his third season.
- In 1988, Lou Holtz won his second Coach of the Year award.
- In 2012, Brian Kelly won his second Coach of the Year award.
- Notre Dame won the 1988 National Championship game at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona .
- Notre Dame will play the 2012 BCS Championship game at Sun Life Stadium in Miami, Florida .
- There are exactly 5 letters in the city names and 7 letters in the state names of those two locations.
- In 1988, Miami was the defending national champion, winner of two national titles in the past five years.
- In 2012, Alabama is the defending national champion, winner of two national titles in the past five years.
- Miami was 37-5 in the 42 games played before meeting Notre Dame.
- Alabama is 37-5 in the 42 games played before meeting Notre Dame.
- In 1988, Jimmy Johnson’s winning percentage at Miami was .843 (43-8) before playing Notre Dame. After losing to Notre Dame, it was .827.
- In 2012, Nick Saban’s winning percentage at Alabama is .837 (67-13) before playing Notre Dame. If Notre Dame wins, his winning percentage will be .827.
- Brian Kelly and Lou Holtz were born 24 years apart.
- Their first seasons at Notre Dame were exactly 24 years apart.
- It's been exactly 24 years since Notre Dame won their last National Championship.
