The Holy War: A Trip Down Memory Lane
- Noah Wehby
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Today, this rivalry is seen as a lopsided matchup between two teams on vastly different levels in college football, but historically, this is a game that has produced heartbreaking and joyous moments for everyone involved. Let's talk about some of the greatest installments of the Holy War.
Photo via Notre Dame Athletics
Overall, Notre Dame has controlled this series, winning 17 of the 26 matchups. Going into the weekend, the Irish hold an eight-game winning streak in the series, but it would be nine if the win in 2012 had not been vacated. Although Notre Dame has dominated recently, that has not always been the case. Boston College once had a stranglehold over the rivalry, winning every matchup between 2001-2008. On Saturday, Notre Dame will have a chance to extend that winning streak and avoid being eliminated from an opportunity to make the CFP. Now, let's take a look at some of the most iconic games this rivalry has produced since 1975.
Boston College stuns the Irish with a last-second field goal to win (1993)
For many Notre Dame fans, this may be the most devastating loss they've had to endure. Going into that game, Notre Dame was ranked No. 1 in the country, as they were recently coming off a win in the Game of the Century against Florida State. In order to secure a National Championship, the Irish just had to take care of their remaining schedule, which should've been easy for a team that was on a 17-game winning streak. Instead, Boston College, led by legendary head coach Tom Coughlin, pulled off a miraculous upset with a 41-yard field goal. Notre Dame was trailing for much of that game, but thanks to a flurry of touchdowns in the fourth quarter, the Irish had the lead with just over a minute to go. The Irish defense failed to seal the deal, and Notre Dame's chances of another national championship were squandered.
Golden Tate's two touchdowns help the Irish snap a six-game losing streak against BC (2009)
Leading into the matchup in 2009, Notre Dame had not beaten BC in their last six matchups, a stat that seems hard to believe today. In a low-scoring affair, it was the Eagles who found themselves with a three-point lead early in the third quarter. It was not until halfway through the fourth quarter that Notre Dame would take the lead and score the final points of the game. In classic Golden Tate fashion, the touchdown came when Jimmy Clausen found Tate for what should have been a simple 10-yard gain, but Tate broke one tackle and was off to the races, completing a 36-yard play. The Irish defense did its job, as they did not allow another point for the rest of the game. That win not only snapped BC's streak, it also propelled the Irish on their own winning streak, which is still alive today.
Notre Dame dominates in a blizzard (2022)
Although the final score was not close, this game is memorable for a lot of Notre Dame fans. The game was never really close, as Notre Dame quickly jumped out to a 37-0 lead thanks to the rushing attack of Logan Diggs and Audric Estime. The play on the field is not what makes this game iconic; that is all thanks to the weather. In the first half, the weather in South Bend was cold but perfect for football in late November. It was not until the second half that the good weather that was seen early in the game had turned into a complete blizzard. In just one half, the field had become completely covered in snow, making it hard for people watching from home to even see what was happening on the field. It was truly one of the most bizarre swings in playing conditions to ever happen at a Notre Dame football game. Nonetheless, Notre Dame's dominant performance took them to 8-3 on the year, and gave the Irish their second biggest margin of victory in the rivalry's history.
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