Notre Dame’s Best Non-Title Teams – 1989 Fighting Irish
Notre Dame played perhaps the toughest schedule in the nation in 1989 and had just one loss to show. That one loss came against the eventual national champions though in a game that was too much to overcome after bowl season.
- Rocket Ismail’s two kick returns for touchdowns helped Notre Dame beat No. 2 Michigan in the Big House in the second game of the season.
- Between October 14 and 28, Notre Dame knocked off three straight ranked opponents (No. 17 Air Force, No. 9 USC and No. 7 Pitt)
- Notre Dame started the season 11-0, bringing their overall winning streak to 23 games. Five of those wins in 1989 came against ranked opponents.
- Lost to then No. 7 Miami in regular season finale, 27-10.
- Beat No. 1 Colorado in the Orange Bowl, 21-6.
1993: When Head-to-Head Didn’t Matter