Just over 11 weeks from now we’ll have Notre Dame and Navy returning to the football field to start their 2020 college football seasons. Until then we’ll be counting the days by sharing memories of players, coaches and games that helped shape Notre Dame’s football legacy.
Yesterday we happened to find an 80 yard touchdown reception from Tommy Rees to TJ Jones that gave the Irish a second half lead in a game they wouldn’t hold onto against Pitt.
Today, by chance I swear and not on purpose, another Notre Dame vs. Pitt memory gets remembered.
79: Yards of Jonas Gray’s touchdown run at Pitt in 2011
2011 saw a frustrating start for Notre Dame as they gave away their first two games against South Florida and at Michigan. After finally getting in the win column against Michigan State in Week Three they traveled to Pitt to try and get to .500 against the Panthers.
Trailing 3-0 in the second quarter, Jonas Gray, who wasn’t necessarilyknown for his wheels, outran the entire Pitt defense for a go-ahead score.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58GhK358UUQ&w=560&h=315]
Gray would finish with just two more touches as he totaled 84 rushing yards on the day. Notre Dame would get a late score on a pass from Tommy Rees to Tyler Eiftert that put them ahead 15-12, the eventual final score, getting them to 2-2 on the season.