Notre Dame today released their latest #NDTop10, this time highlighting the most clutch touchdown receptions in program history. Some are obvious, some bring back memories you probably had forgotten and since it’s a list I’m sure someone will get upset.
I have one touchdown reception that was one of my favorite ever since I’ve watched Notre Dame football and it didn’t make the cut. Before we discuss the list though we’ve of course got to watch the thing together, right? So here it is, the 10 Most Clutch Touchdown Catches in the History of Notre Dame Football.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOlG6cz4STM&w=560&h=315]
A few thoughts I had while watching:
- I had entirely forgotten about how close the 1999 Navy game was to disaster. I always remember 2003 going down to the wire, I had blocked the 1999 game from my memory.
- I choose to remember Pat Dillingham for that pass to Battle and the Michigan State defensive back slipping instead of remembering what happened with Dillingham against Boston College that same season.
- One question since a Michigan State game showed up – no Golden Tate into the Michigan State band in 2009? Just over five minutes left not qualify as clutch enough? Season wasn’t great but that moment certainly was.
- Will Fuller to beat Virginia in 2015 or Jeff Samardzija to beat UCLA in 2006? Samardzija’s saved a season that wound up in the BCS while Fuller’s moved Notre Dame to 2-0 in a season they’d ultimately win 10 games. Toss-up, personally I would have had Samardzija’s ahead but the actual catch part of the play by Fuller is clearly more impressive.
- I’d never previously seen the Bill Shakespeare pass to Wayne Millner to beat Ohio State in 1935 before today. Props to the video team for hunting down and posting that video.
Fun list and outside of Golden Tate not being on it I really have no problems whatsoever with it. Some stuff I’d never actually seen in there so that’s a fun way to spend four or so minutes.